THE Rotary Club of Portland is getting its youth exchange program back up and running, and is looking for young locals who are interested in expanding their world view.

It has been a few years since the last Portland participant jetted off, with travel restrictions and hesitance to send a young person off during the uncertainty of the pandemic, but Rotary member Andy Murrell said the world has opened up again, and encourages locals aged between 15 and 17 and a half to consider what he thinks is the opportunity of a lifetime.

A recently retired secondary teacher, Mr Murrell said he has seen first-hand the positive impact a student exchange can have.

“They have left having limited awareness of what goes on but come back with a totally different attitude, simply because of the fact that that they have been able to assimilate into their environment and have seen the world from a different perspective.

“(Growing up in Portland) you can have a very narrow perspective on life.  And this certainly serves to broaden students’ awareness, socially as well,

“We've seen so many students who have left here and I thought myself, ‘are you really going to be able to take on this’ and they've come back such so much more worldly, but also more so much socially outgoing as well and independent.”

The year-long exchanges are available to more than 100 countries all over the world, typically non-English speaking cultures, where students stay with closely vetted people and go to school – all arranged by Rotary.

The only costs involved are to cover flights, insurance and any spending money, otherwise Rotary does the rest, in the interests of developing independence and leadership skills in local youth.

While the trips are full of great experiences, they should not be thought of as a holiday, Mr Murrell said.

“We have to have a very thorough selection process, to make sure we’re sending the right person.”

“We are open to all comers to start off with, that very quickly it gets narrowed down when the students are made aware of what the expectation of the process is.

“And this is why we hold a series of conferences and meetings and camps with the kids so that they can see exactly what the expectations are.”

Applications need to be received by April 25, those interested are directed to make contact at rotarysecretary.portland@gmail.com