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A BRIEF HISTORY OF
YOUTH EXCHANGE IN DISTRICT 7410
Since 1927, students and host families all over the world have had their
horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the generosity of Rotary's Youth
Exchange program. Administered by Rotary clubs, districts and multidistrict
groups, the program today involves more than 82 countries and over 8,000
students each year.
The first documented exchanges date back to 1927, when the Rotary Club of
Nice, France, initiated exchanges with European students. Exchanges between
clubs in California, USA, and Latin American countries began in 1939, and
exchange activities spread to the eastern United States in 1958.
In 1958-1959, District Governor Lester
E. Jordan of the Dallas (PA) Rotary Club began his series of official visits to the
37 clubs in what was then District 741. In 1960, 13 clubs responded to his call to an
international vision of service by hosting 13 exchange students from Austria,
India, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. During 1961-1962, that number
jumped to 21, and saw the first 22 students from northeast Pennsylvania go
abroad as exchange students.
Since that time, over 3000 students have participated in Rotary Youth Exchange
in District 7410. Annually, an average number of 25 students have risen to the
challenge of serving as young ambassadors, with a roughly equal number being
hosted here.
In 1972, the RI
Board of Directors agreed to recommend Youth Exchange to clubs worldwide as a
worthwhile international activity that promotes global peace and understanding.
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