Spring?
Though it certainly doesn’t seem like spring in Southern Minnesota—where we’re recently under a blizzard warning—North Star is moving full steam ahead with preparations for the upcoming exchange year. We’ve been quite busy lately, and we’re excited to share some updates with you!
Outbound Orientation Update
On March 1st, North Star held its second Outbound Orientation, which included an overnight stay at White Bear Lake High School with our current inbound students. It was a busy but productive day, with many moving parts, including the Short Term Program Orientation, Host Family Training, and Youth Exchange Officer/Club Counselor Training.
After the day’s sessions, the Outbounds and Inbounds enjoyed a pizza dinner followed by some fun, organized activities. Special thanks to Ed Marek and Braver Angels for their insightful presentation on how to navigate difficult conversations. Our Rotex group led a button-making activity, which was followed by one of the most energetic Karaoke sessions we’ve ever seen! Later in the evening, the students had the chance to blow off some steam in the gym. A big thank you to all the Rotex and volunteers who helped make the
day a success, and to Tim Wald and the White Bear Lake School District for hosting us!
Future Inbounds Update
Student applications are arriving from our exchange partners for the 2025-26 exchange year. While these are coming in a bit slower than usual, we hope to make club assignments by the end of March. If your club would like to host an inbound student this fall and has not yet expressed interest, please
reach out to Sara Johnston at office@northstarrotary.com. We continue to
receive applications from students around the globe eager to join our program. Remember, a club doesn’t need to send a student abroad in order to host an inbound student!
Current Inbounds Enjoying North Star Activities
With school events like proms and sports games, our current inbound students have a busy spring ahead. In addition to school activities, North Star has several exciting events planned for them. A number of students are currently soaking up the sun in Hawaii on a tour organized by Belo USA Travel.
Looking ahead, our students will have the opportunity to attend a Minnesota Twins game in April and visit the National Eagle Center in Wabasha in May. They will also be featured at the District 5960 Peace Conference on May 3rd in Prior Lake. Be sure to visit the North Star website for more details on these upcoming events!
NAYEN Conference Recap
Before we wrap up, I would like to reflect on our incredible experience at the NAYEN Conference in February. North Star volunteers played an active role by leading several educational sessions, sharing valuable insights and best practices in youth exchange. We were proud to be one of only three programs
to receive the prestigious NAYEN Gold Achievement Award. Additionally, we were honored to be the exclusive recipient of the Dr. Abe Kuttothara Innovation Award, which recognizes innovative practices in youth exchange.
The Innovation award is especially significant as it highlights the implementation of our Host Family Support Team, which provides essential
assistance to our host families. Hats off to the member of the Host Family Support Team for their outstanding work. These recognitions reflect the unwavering dedication of all North Star volunteers, and we couldn’t be prouder of the exceptional impact they continue to make on the global stage.
Thank you for your continued support of Rotary Youth Exchange!
Eric Johnsrud
North Star Chair