The Long-Term Effects The Long-Term Effects of of

Youth Exchange Youth Exchange

Dennis White, Ph.D.Dennis White, Ph.D.

dkwhite@itol.comdkwhite@itol.com

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Document Library, Conferences, Document Library, Conferences, 2014 NAYEN Conference, Cancun2014 NAYEN Conference, Cancun

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2009 marked the 502009 marked the 50thth year of long term year of long term Rotary Youth ExchangeRotary Youth Exchange

This means over the next 10 or This means over the next 10 or 15 years we will be hearing of 15 years we will be hearing of 5050thth anniversaries of Youth anniversaries of Youth Exchange in many districts Exchange in many districts around the worldaround the world

How Have I Changed?How Have I Changed?How Have I Changed.doc  How Have I Changed.doc 

An exercise using 44 An exercise using 44 statements that have often statements that have often

been identified by exchange been identified by exchange students as significant students as significant

changes from the experience.changes from the experience.

I saw my country from the outside I saw my country from the outside and I saw my host country from the and I saw my host country from the inside, which showed me what 'point inside, which showed me what 'point of view' means. of view' means.

Natalia Rodriques Natalia Rodriques

Ethnorelativism:Ethnorelativism:

The acquired ability to The acquired ability to see many values and see many values and behaviors as cultural behaviors as cultural rather than universal.rather than universal.

Since I came back to my country, Spain, I've Since I came back to my country, Spain, I've been realizing all I learned here, I thought I been realizing all I learned here, I thought I knew it, but I didn't so much. I had hard times knew it, but I didn't so much. I had hard times getting used to my new life in Spain, getting getting used to my new life in Spain, getting back to my own country, family and culture back to my own country, family and culture again. again.

Laura Sanchez LeonLaura Sanchez Leon

I'm a new person. I'm not the same Laura that I I'm a new person. I'm not the same Laura that I used to be. I have grown up and I've discovered used to be. I have grown up and I've discovered things about myself. I know who I am now, what things about myself. I know who I am now, what I want in life and how I want it, and this is the I want in life and how I want it, and this is the result of my Rotary experience in the US. result of my Rotary experience in the US.

Laura Sanchez Leon Laura Sanchez Leon

Typical Short-term ChangesTypical Short-term Changes

(1)(1) Personal development and competences Personal development and competences

(2)(2) Intercultural learning Intercultural learning

(3)(3) Relations to the host country Relations to the host country

(4)(4) Foreign languages Foreign languages

(5)(5) Social competence Social competence

More abstract changes:More abstract changes:

• PerceptivenessPerceptiveness

• Tolerance of differencesTolerance of differences

• Adaptability/creativityAdaptability/creativity

““Living Outside the Box”Living Outside the Box”Living abroad boosts creativity Living abroad boosts creativity

Living in another country can be a cherished Living in another country can be a cherished experience, but new research suggests it might experience, but new research suggests it might also help expand minds. This research, also help expand minds. This research, published by the American Psychological published by the American Psychological Association, is the first of its kind to look at the Association, is the first of its kind to look at the link between living abroad and creativity.link between living abroad and creativity.

I learned toI learned to … … think outside the box, think outside the box, see the world with other eyes…see the world with other eyes…

Natalia RodriquesNatalia Rodriques

The Candle ProblemThe Candle Problem

I had so much fun, I learned a new language, I I had so much fun, I learned a new language, I made wonderful friends from all over the world, made wonderful friends from all over the world, I met awesome people here, like my host I met awesome people here, like my host families, I traveled around the states and I just families, I traveled around the states and I just couldn't ask for anything else. couldn't ask for anything else.

But, this was just the beginning of my new life. I But, this was just the beginning of my new life. I was just 15 years old when I came to the US, was just 15 years old when I came to the US, and 16 years old when I went back to Spain, but and 16 years old when I went back to Spain, but when I returned I felt like I could do whatever I when I returned I felt like I could do whatever I wanted for my life, I was ready for everything.wanted for my life, I was ready for everything.

I'm graduating next year and I've worked with I'm graduating next year and I've worked with Rotary Spain as a Rotex, I contributed with the Rotary Spain as a Rotex, I contributed with the Spanish Red cross, and I hope to become an Spanish Red cross, and I hope to become an international relations student someday.international relations student someday.

It took me a while to recognize everything I It took me a while to recognize everything I learned here, all the life values that the Rotarians learned here, all the life values that the Rotarians taught me. I am so glad that I did it and I want to taught me. I am so glad that I did it and I want to say THANK YOU again, for giving me the say THANK YOU again, for giving me the opportunity to be here during a year, to learn so opportunity to be here during a year, to learn so much, to share all those values with me, and to much, to share all those values with me, and to make me a better person. Thank you Rotary Club make me a better person. Thank you Rotary Club of Scottsdale.of Scottsdale.

Laura Sanchez Leon Laura Sanchez Leon

… …as you hear from most exchange students, I as you hear from most exchange students, I had the best year of my life. I learned more had the best year of my life. I learned more about myself, about who I am and who I'm not. I about myself, about who I am and who I'm not. I learned about culture and that culture you don't learned about culture and that culture you don't have to judge, you have to respect. I've been in have to judge, you have to respect. I've been in places and done things I would never imagine I places and done things I would never imagine I would do.would do.

Love moves you and distance is nothing when Love moves you and distance is nothing when you have real love, at home or host country, you have real love, at home or host country, wherever you are.wherever you are.

Also, I learned how important it is to say 'thank Also, I learned how important it is to say 'thank you'. Thank you all for being part of the best you'. Thank you all for being part of the best year of my life.year of my life.

Natalia Rodriques Natalia Rodriques

Justina, D. 6220, Sturgeon Bay, WI.Justina, D. 6220, Sturgeon Bay, WI.

I hope all of you are doing good, being as I hope all of you are doing good, being as awesome as always, laughing a lot and awesome as always, laughing a lot and helping others. helping others.

I don’t want this to be a sad letter from a I don’t want this to be a sad letter from a desperate exchange student who wants to desperate exchange student who wants to come back, but unfortunately it kind of is. come back, but unfortunately it kind of is.

I really miss you guys and I hope you kept I really miss you guys and I hope you kept your promise to remember me. Best your promise to remember me. Best wishes from your wishes from your favoritefavorite Lithuanian. Lithuanian. JustinaJustina

Typical Short-term ChangesTypical Short-term Changes

(1)(1) Personal development and competences Personal development and competences

(2)(2) Intercultural learning Intercultural learning

(3)(3) Relations to the host country Relations to the host country

(4)(4) Foreign languages Foreign languages

(5)(5) Social competence Social competence

Long Term (10 year) studies:Long Term (10 year) studies:

(1)(1) A Nice Experience to Have (20%)A Nice Experience to Have (20%)

(2)(2) Mosaic (20%)Mosaic (20%)

(3)(3) Domino (30%)Domino (30%)

(4)(4) Turning point (30%)Turning point (30%)

Domino + Turning Point = 60%Domino + Turning Point = 60%

Makena DohertyMakena Doherty

• Gainsville, Fl. 2004 RYE Bahia BrasilGainsville, Fl. 2004 RYE Bahia Brasil• 2005-09 U of F, BA, Conflict Resolution2005-09 U of F, BA, Conflict Resolution• 2008-09 Study Abroad Grenoble, France2008-09 Study Abroad Grenoble, France• 2009 Moved to Valeggio Italy (6 months)2009 Moved to Valeggio Italy (6 months)• 2010 Worked for Bello USA Travel Agency based 2010 Worked for Bello USA Travel Agency based

in Brasilin Brasil• 2005 – 2012 Assisted RYE Fl. as Rotex2005 – 2012 Assisted RYE Fl. as Rotex• 2013 – Joined US Peace Corps, Albania2013 – Joined US Peace Corps, Albania

The Long Term Effects of The Long Term Effects of Youth Exchange SurveyYouth Exchange Survey

• long term effects survey revised 12-long term effects survey revised 12-09-13.doc 09-13.doc 

• Or email dkwhite@itol.com Or email dkwhite@itol.com

1964

Jacksonville Florida

Vivi-Anne Asell

1964

2014

““I soon learned that people all over I soon learned that people all over the world are very similar but do the world are very similar but do things in very different ways. things in very different ways.

In the beginning it seems so odd but In the beginning it seems so odd but by the end you see that everything in by the end you see that everything in that culture really does work. This that culture really does work. This made me respect people more for who made me respect people more for who they really are.” they really are.”

“ “At the age of 16 you are in the process of growing up - but you are not really At the age of 16 you are in the process of growing up - but you are not really there yet. You have a lot of questions about life, people, behaviors and so on. there yet. You have a lot of questions about life, people, behaviors and so on.

When I left my secure home to a completely new family, friends and When I left my secure home to a completely new family, friends and surroundings I discovered the strengths in myself and of course the surroundings I discovered the strengths in myself and of course the weaknesses in myself and learned to deal with them” weaknesses in myself and learned to deal with them”

“ “Now, I feel secure wherever I go and Now, I feel secure wherever I go and know that if I act from my heart and know that if I act from my heart and with good sense I will always be able with good sense I will always be able to handle the challenges I may face.”to handle the challenges I may face.”

““The year meant so much both in The year meant so much both in learning about myself and another learning about myself and another culture. I believe this exchange was culture. I believe this exchange was the initial trigger for a chain of the initial trigger for a chain of constructive activities. constructive activities.

It was clearly the spark for igniting It was clearly the spark for igniting

my personal development for the my personal development for the rest of my life.”rest of my life.”

Terri Sawyer

1991

2011

““Rotary Youth Exchange did not Rotary Youth Exchange did not change my life –change my life –

It gave birth to it!”It gave birth to it!”

““Before my exchange, I had the dreamBefore my exchange, I had the dream of working in the factory or waiting of working in the factory or waiting tables in my little town in Pennsylvania. tables in my little town in Pennsylvania.

Then, the love of my host parents and Then, the love of my host parents and friends began to touch me. And by friends began to touch me. And by the time I got on the plane to go the time I got on the plane to go home, I could not shake the feeling home, I could not shake the feeling that somehow I had changed. that somehow I had changed.

From there it led to From there it led to everythingeverything in my in my life.” life.”

““I see that my exchange hasI see that my exchange has influenced each part of my life as a influenced each part of my life as a social worker, a therapist, a parent social worker, a therapist, a parent and a Rotarian. and a Rotarian.

Where did this new way of life come Where did this new way of life come from? Where did this amazing and from? Where did this amazing and awesome world I created through awesome world I created through humanitarian service come from?humanitarian service come from?

Well that is easy, My Rotary Youth Well that is easy, My Rotary Youth Exchange”.Exchange”.

Clarissa “Cacai” Medeiros

1993

2013

“ “I found out that when I decide I can do I found out that when I decide I can do something, and I really focus on it, it something, and I really focus on it, it happens. The first time was when I found happens. The first time was when I found myself speaking another language.” myself speaking another language.”

“ “I’m not afraid of TRYING. I say YES. I I’m not afraid of TRYING. I say YES. I accept every challenge and I believe accept every challenge and I believe there’s nothing I can’t try. Maybe I won’t there’s nothing I can’t try. Maybe I won’t be able to do it, but I need to find it out be able to do it, but I need to find it out trying.”trying.”

“ “I don’t worry about everything. If the I don’t worry about everything. If the career goes wrong, I can move to career goes wrong, I can move to any place and start over. If I lose any place and start over. If I lose everything I have, I will move to everything I have, I will move to America and work for McDonalds.America and work for McDonalds.

It’s been my Plan B since 1993!” It’s been my Plan B since 1993!”

“ “And that thirst for new culture has accompanied And that thirst for new culture has accompanied me since. I see it as fuel to keep me going on. me since. I see it as fuel to keep me going on.

When I have a new trip planned and I know I will When I have a new trip planned and I know I will see new places, new things, learn new languages see new places, new things, learn new languages and get new friends, the feeling is so good. and get new friends, the feeling is so good.

It’s like a drug, and I can’t live without it It’s like a drug, and I can’t live without it anymore. anymore.

The “NEW” helps my creativity, The “NEW” helps my creativity, makes connections in my mind, makes connections in my mind, and I believe, turns me into a and I believe, turns me into a better person every time better person every time happens.”happens.”

“ “The exchange experience introduced a The exchange experience introduced a turning point in my life. turning point in my life.

I regard it as the starting point for my life I regard it as the starting point for my life taking another course, breaking away from taking another course, breaking away from established structures.established structures.

It was a starting point for a totally different It was a starting point for a totally different concept, religious, self, attitude towards concept, religious, self, attitude towards consumption, belief in justice and my consumption, belief in justice and my professional career.”professional career.”

“ “It has changed everything. If hadn’t been an It has changed everything. If hadn’t been an exchange student, I wouldn’t speak English. exchange student, I wouldn’t speak English.

If I didn’t speak English, I wouldn’t be a YEO. If I didn’t speak English, I wouldn’t be a YEO.

If I wasn’t a YEO I wouldn’t be friends with If I wasn’t a YEO I wouldn’t be friends with Dennis White. Dennis White.

If I wasn’t Dennis White’s friend, I wouldn’t If I wasn’t Dennis White’s friend, I wouldn’t have to be answering this survey right now, have to be answering this survey right now, and I would be sleeping instead!” and I would be sleeping instead!”

“ “Rotary promotes peace in the world, Rotary promotes peace in the world, and the best way to start working for and the best way to start working for peace is inclusion, and for that, peace is inclusion, and for that, exchange programs are very good.exchange programs are very good.

No matter what race, color or religion, No matter what race, color or religion, a family in another part of the world is a family in another part of the world is able to receive and accept that able to receive and accept that person. person.

And that inclusion also means to And that inclusion also means to accept people with different abilities, accept people with different abilities, in my case, a deaf mute. in my case, a deaf mute.

I have been accepted by a family that I have been accepted by a family that did not have any contact with the did not have any contact with the deaf community, and now I feel safe deaf community, and now I feel safe and secure with them. and secure with them.

Just because I can not use a telephone, I can still Just because I can not use a telephone, I can still pass on my culture, my desire to see the world pass on my culture, my desire to see the world and make new friends. and make new friends.

This exchange has allowed me to demonstrate This exchange has allowed me to demonstrate that we are all equal, and that people with different that we are all equal, and that people with different abilities can abilities can showshow that if given the opportunity. that if given the opportunity.

Thank you Rotary for the opportunity.”Thank you Rotary for the opportunity.”

The Long-Term Effects The Long-Term Effects of of

Youth Exchange Youth Exchange

Dennis White, Ph.D.Dennis White, Ph.D.

dkwhite@itol.comdkwhite@itol.com

This presentation may be This presentation may be found at:found at:

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https://www.dropbox.com/home/Long%20Termhttps://www.dropbox.com/home/Long%20Term%20Effects%20of%20YE%20Speech%20Effects%20of%20YE%20Speech

• Or email dkwhite@itol.com Or email dkwhite@itol.com