The Youth Exchange Committee in District 9685 is still working hard towards providing our inbound and outbound students with a positive experience during this time of uncertainty and changing lifestyles.
 
Currently all our Outbound Students, those being hosted by clubs and districts overseas, are well and adapting to the change of living that we are experiencing here in Australia. One student has returned home after the YEP program was cancelled in the host country. That student arrived home safely on Monday morning after a very long trip. The student and the rest of the family are in isolation at home with the permission of the Chief Medical officer for NSW and NSW Health.
 
The Committee members are in constant contact with the students overseas and their natural families here in Australia. At the time of writing no student is contemplating returning to Sydney in the near future, a decision made by the student and their parents.
 
In relation to the Inbound Students, those students currently being hosted by D9685 clubs, 8 students have returned home to their country of origin mostly because their governments requested, they return. All 8 have arrived safely and are currently also isolating with their families.
The remaining students are being supported by the amazing Host Families, Club Rotarians and the district committee members.
 
What does this mean for the program next rotary year? We do not really know yet. If your club was considering hosting an inbound student for 20/21 please keep the funds in your budget until we have a clear idea of what the program might look like in the future.
 
We have 3 inbound students who will still be in our district until January 2021 who will need to continue to have a great Youth Exchange Experience. We are not yet certain what the departure dates for the 5 remaining European students will be as yet.
 
All of our outbounds will be returning in January 2021 with great stories to tell us of their year away. The parts of the program that capture that excitement will still continue.
 
The Committee Members join John and I in thanking all 9685 Rotarians for your support of the program so far in these difficult times.
 
Susan and John Wakefield
Co-Chairs D9685 Youth Exchange.