A World of Opportunity for Students

In 2017, an exciting collaboration between Rotary International and Toastmasters International began, creating a unique opportunity for young people to enhance their communication, leadership, and cultural exchange experiences. Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a life-changing program that allows students to spend a year abroad, living with host families, attending local schools, and immersing themselves in new cultures.

This year, D42 Toastmasters has facilitated a program for students traveling to

• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Japan
• Brazil
• Italy
• Netherlands

A team of experienced D42 Toastmasters (Marcy Field, Geetha N, Irma Goosen, Arobo Ako, and Christina Kruis) facilitated two online sessions and one in-person orientation session with the students’ families.  These sessions allowed students to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with their peers before heading abroad. Sessions included:

• Table Topics: A fun and interactive way to improve impromptu speaking.
• Mind Map for Ideas: Helping students brainstorm ideas for speeches and presentations.
• Does Your Picture Tell a Story? Encouraging creativity and storytelling through visuals.
• Writing a Speech: Teaching students the fundamentals of crafting an engaging and impactful speech.
• Boring to Brilliant: A session designed to help students transform mundane presentations into captivating ones.
• Feedback: Providing constructive feedback to help students help each other to grow.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Rotary Youth Exchange program is the opportunity for Canadian students to share their country with the world. As part of their exchange, students are encouraged to give presentations on Canada—talking about their families, pets, schools, hobbies, sports, and, of course, what it means to be Canadian. They expressed their gratitude to Rotary Clubs for the opportunity and discussed how the exchange would impact their lives.

There are several compelling reasons why students choose to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Here are just a few:

• Learning Another Language
• Cultural Exposure
• Adventure
• Making New Friends
• Accepting the Challenge
• Gaining Independence

The Rotary Youth Exchange program, supported by the alliance with Toastmasters, has proven to be an incredible opportunity for these students. It has helped countless young individuals explore the world, develop essential life skills, and build friendships that last a lifetime. It is also an incredible opportunity for Toastmasters!

We are proud to have been a part of this journey, facilitating sessions, leading educational workshops, and guiding students toward personal and professional growth. Meeting these outstanding future leaders is inspiring and provides great hope for our global society.  The future of Rotary and Toastmasters’ collaboration holds endless possibilities for youth around the world.  If you are interested, please feel free to contact Christina Kruis for information.

Christina Kruis, DTM
President, Heart of the Rockies Toastmasters
President, MVP Advanced Toastmasters