In a world that often feels divided by culture, politics, and geography, Rotary Youth Exchange stands as a bold bridge between hearts, minds, and nations. For over 90 years, Rotary has been sending students abroad not just to study, but to truly live in and learn from a different culture. And as it turns out, that kind of full-immersion transformation works both ways. It reshapes the student, the host family, and the communities they both come from.
Ask Amelia Isitan, a Montague High School alumnus, former Youth Exchange student, and now a proud member of the Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club. In 2006, she found herself thousands of miles from home, living in Ankara, Turkey, navigating a different language, eating new foods, wearing school uniforms, and adjusting to public transportation. But more importantly, she was learning geometry in a way she never had before, joining drama club, listening to European rock, and discovering a version of herself she didn’t yet know existed.
“Being a teen in another country gave me the space to grow into who I was becoming,” Amelia shared. “Yes, I was learning about history, food, and architecture, but the real learning was in the relationships. One of my Turkish friends is still my best friend, and I’m going to her wedding this summer.”
After her senior year of high school, Amelia returned to Turkey to attend university and spent much of her adult life there. Her exchange year wasn’t a pit stop. It was a launchpad.
Rotary Youth Exchange is not a vacation or study abroad lite. It’s a life-changing, perspective-shifting adventure that builds resilience, empathy, and global citizenship. Students attend school, contribute to family life, and become immersed in daily routines that challenge and shape them.
For host families, it’s equally impactful. You don’t need to have a certain kind of household or check any fancy boxes. Families of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds have been successful. The only prerequisites? An open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to welcome someone new into your lives. Rotary provides strong support systems for students and families alike, no one is left to figure it out on their own.
So, Why Host?
Hosting brings the world into your home. You’ll learn about another culture from the inside out and, just as importantly, share your own. It’s like taking a global journey without ever leaving your Michigan address.
You’ll gain a new family member. Many host families report lifelong friendships with their students and their students’ families. Some even visit their students abroad and continue the exchange of love and culture long after the program ends.
You’ll model and experience “Service Above Self.” Hosting is a beautiful way to serve both your community and the global good. By opening your door, you’re opening minds, starting with your own.
What’s the Commitment?
Hosting runs in two segments: August through December, and January through mid-July. You only sign up for one. Students are expected to integrate into family life, contribute to the household, attend school, and adapt to your routines. They need their own room, a place to study, and a little guidance as they navigate their new world.
Rotary offers orientations, support teams, and emergency contacts. It’s a team effort, but the memories and meaning are yours to keep forever.
The Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club Needs You
Right now, our community has an extraordinary opportunity to participate in something much bigger than ourselves. The Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club is actively seeking both students eager to study abroad and families willing to host an international student here at home. This is your chance to make the world your classroom, or bring the world into your living room.
The Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club is currently looking for:
- A second host family in Montague (January through mid-July) for Colette, a bright, balanced, and driven student from Spain who will be attending Montague High School. She’s a mediator, horse lover, math enthusiast, and someone who values family traditions and design.
- Two host families in Whitehall for Stefan, a warm-hearted, artistic student from Germany who will attend Whitehall High School. Stefan enjoys soccer, swimming, and nature, and is genuinely curious about American life, especially our food, sports, school systems, and, most of all, you, his future host family.
Students who participate in Rotary Youth Exchange are between 16 and 18 years old. Each student stays with two families during their 11-month exchange, August through December and January through mid-July, allowing multiple families to share in the hosting experience.
Come Learn More
The Montague-Whitehall Rotary invites you to attend an information meeting on Wednesday, July 10 at 5 p.m. at The VAC (The Viking Athletic Center). You’ll hear directly from a past exchange student, a local host parent, and Rotary leaders. Whether you’re a student with dreams of seeing the world or a family interested in bringing the world to your doorstep, this is the place to get your questions answered.
As a host family, you don’t need a passport or a perfect house. You just need a heart for hospitality and a willingness to grow. The Rotary team is with you every step of the way.
To ask questions or express interest in hosting, contact Rotarian Susie Rehrer at rehrers@gmail.com.
Your spare bedroom could become a launchpad for lifelong global friendships. Let’s make it happen.
Visit CatchMark Community for all your area news and information.
