Farewell Letter
Hello everyone, my name is Dustin Haffner and I will soon be studying abroad in Villavicencio, Colombia, through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Before I begin my journey abroad, I would like to acknowledge and thank those who have supported me and allowed for this opportunity to be possible.First, I would like to thank Rotary for all that they have done this past year to prepare me for this adventure. None of this would be possible without the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club, who will be sponsoring my studies abroad. I was fortunate enough to attend many of the club’s weekly meetings and community service projects, and witness first hand the true purpose of this organization, “Service Above Self.” Everyone with whom I have come in contact, in the preparation of this exchange, has been very helpful and truly made the process fun and intriguing.
Next, I would like to thank the Community of Medina. Over the years, I have been provided with many great opportunities and have been connected with many great teachers, coaches, and friends. I am truly grateful to have grown up in such a supportive community. Finally, I would like to thank my parents. They have been supportive of my decision to study abroad ever since I first mentioned the idea to them, and have done everything needed to make the idea come true for me.
I am very grateful for all the support I have received from my parents, and everyone else who have made this dream a reality.
PHOTO (l to r):
First Lady Georgeann & Rotary District 6630 Governor David Jones, Justin Haffner,
Rotary Youth Exchange Counsellor Anna Guy-Leach, Medina Sunrise Rotary Club President Kevin Lauterjung
Rotary Youth Exchange Counsellor Anna Guy-Leach, Medina Sunrise Rotary Club President Kevin Lauterjung
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"Rotary Youth Exchange is the opportunity of a lifetime to make peace in the world, one student at a time," stated Dustin Haffner, a Senior at Medina High School, sponsored by the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club. Dustin will be departing on August 23rd, to live and study in Colombia, in the 2022-- 2023 school year.Whether you are a student, interested in making an exchange, a potential host family for a youth exchange visitor, an interested community member or a volunteer in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, Rotary Youth Exchange is a worldwide program designed for youth between the ages of fifteen and eighteen. It is a Rotary organization made up of professional people in all walks of life who are experienced and dedicated to the youth exchange program. If you are interested in the opportunity to become a foreign exchange student, or to host one, you can assure yourself that you will be immersed in an experience like no other. You will build international friendships and connections that often last a lifetime, as well as discover new characteristics of yourself that will enhance your self identity. The knowledge you acquire will often be an important tool in your future and will uncover opportunities for the entirety of their lifetime. Rotary’s youth exchange program is not a study abroad program, it is much more. It is a unique opportunity to enhance your life and that of others with the goal of achieving peace one student at a time.
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Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a premier international student exchange scholarship program for qualified students in secondary school. This scholarship's value currently exceeds $35,000 per student.Since 1929, Rotary International has sent highly qualified young people around the globe to experience new cultures, instill service above self, develop leadership, promote international understanding and world peace, and become youth ambassadors of their local communities. Currently, about 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary clubs every year. Rotary is a fully accredited member of CSIET - Council of Standards for International Student Exchange: http://www.csiet.org.