Posted by Joe D. Fontes — Chair, Youth Exchange Committee on Jun 28, 2016
These are very exciting times for students, both outbounds as well as inbounds and, of course, our returning rebound students.

We have 11 rebound students returning from abroad and some have already returned home. They will be filled with stories about their  adventures , the challenges they had and, of course, the excitement of immersing themselves in a new culture.
The outbound students are also very excited. We have 11 eager students ready to tackle their new life abroad and learn a second language. The outbound students went through a series of orientations preparing them for their departure to the new world that faces each and every one of them.

Emphasis is put on learning the basics of  language of their new country before departing, thus minimizing the homesickness that they might face.
 
And finally the Inbounds will be arriving shortly over the next few months. We will be welcoming to our district’s 11 inbound students from the following countries: Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan.

We will be holding our first Welcome Weekend for the inbounds as well as the rebounds, in Malone, NY on Sept, 16-18/2016.
 
We will be attending the District Conference and will give an interactive talk on some of the students experiences and how the exchange changed their lives and what they learned from the experience.

We will also be doing the flag ceremony  welcoming in the above noted countries at the conference.
 
I will close with a quote from Mark Twain,
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."