Jefferson City teens reflect on time, studies abroad

Experience of a lifetime

Local students in this year's International Youth Exchange Program were, from left, Amelia Vellios, Hannah Holt, Nathaniel Cook, Bailey Stiffler, Laura Miserez and Mary Conley.
Local students in this year's International Youth Exchange Program were, from left, Amelia Vellios, Hannah Holt, Nathaniel Cook, Bailey Stiffler, Laura Miserez and Mary Conley.

This summer, six Jefferson City students had life-changing experiences in different cultures that included adventure and academic achievements.

Rotary clubs sponsor high school students to study abroad through the International Youth Exchange Program, which sends students abroad for up to a year.

"Our goal is for the students to be ambassadors, and we expect them to come back and share their experiences with the community," said Julia Prullage, compliance coordinator of the Rotary Breakfast Club. "That way they will have a better understanding of what it's like in different countries and to bring us closer together as communities."

Last year the local Rotary club sent six students to study aboard for a better understanding of the differences in culture. The students and their destinations were Mary Conley, Italy; Nathaniel Cook, Japan; Hannah Holt, Brazil; Laura Miserez, Brazil; Bailey Stiffler, Taiwan; and Amelia Vellios, Belgium.

Even though there are differences, the students would do it all over again.

Vellios, who has since graduated from Helias Catholic High School, said she was lucky to be sent to Belgium through the program.

"I got a lot of experience and knowledge that will help me later in life," she said. "It was just a great experience, and I would definitely recommend the program."

Since her older brother went to study abroad, she also wanted to do the same and applied as soon as she could.

"Belgium is one of those places after you first get there, it doesn't seem that different from home, but once you're there a little longer, you start to notice the differences," Vellios said. "The schools are pretty vigorous, but after you finish school there, it's pretty rewarding because you're ready to go right into college since the education was so good."

The program gave students a glance of the world outside of their home towns and gave them opportunities to grow more worldly.

"I was looking for something to get me out of my comfort zone, and what better way then to go to a different country," Conley said.

Since there's so much history in Italy, she felt lucky that she got Italy and really learned a lot about background of the country. "There's a lot of differences from our school system, and after you pick a school there, you go to the same school for five years taking the same classes," she said.

After studying aboard, students came back with interesting stories and unforgettable moments.

"I loved Taiwan because everything was super convenient, and I made so many amazing friends," Stiffler said. "Also, people can tell when you're not from there and it was a really interesting experience because a lot of people asked to take pictures with me since I'm from America."

Stiffler said she knew she wanted to apply for the program after she saw a video at school of another student who had a great experience.

"Everything revolved around school in Taiwan," she said. "When in school, you stay in one classroom and the teachers switch out for you, and teaching is a very prestigious job there."

Rotary clubs pick where the students go based on achievements in school, and students are usually pleased with areas they go to.

"I applied last year and I didn't want to go to Japan at first," said Cook. "But now that I've been to Japan, I'm very glad I went, because it's so much different than anywhere else I've been."

After hearing another student tell of his experience in annual school presentations, Cook said he wanted to go as well.

"They take school very, very seriously in Japan," he said, "They make it their top priority and their main goal is to get into a university so they can get good jobs."

The program is offering applications until Oct. 1 with the help of local Rotary clubs.

The service clubs that promote literary, health, welfare and peace to bring culture back from country to country to better understand the little differences we have, Prullage said.

The Rotary Club International has done the program since 1927 and Rotary Breakfast Club has sponsored it for 25 years locally.

Students between the ages 15-19 qualify if they demonstrate leadership, are willing to try new things, are open to cultural differences and willing to serve as ambassadors for their country.

"There are a lot of students sponsored by the club, and we will send as many students as we can," Prullage said.

Students go through an application process with Rotary clubs and clubs choose which students go to district interviews.

Rotary scholarships are offered to students to pay tuition, room, board, and monthly allowances. Students pay a range of $5,000-$6,000 to travel, go to school, and for health insurance.

Students study abroad after Rotary clubs have three host families picked out for the students to live with. Each volunteer family is interviewed by the club to determine whether it is a good fit.

It's a one-on-one exchange: When a U.S. Rotary club sends a student to another country, a Rotary club in that country will send one to the U.S.