-Editorial
For two high school students, Rotary Youth Exchange is providing an opportunity to experience life in countries far from home while building relationships across cultures.
Zoe Guerrero Guzman, an El Centro resident, is spending the academic year in Chile through the international exchange program, while Maria Eduarda “Duda” Alves Klosterhoff, a student from Brazil, is attending Imperial High School as part of her exchange in the Imperial Valley.
The students are among participants in Rotary Youth Exchange, a program sponsored by Rotary clubs that allows young people to study abroad, live with host families, and experience daily life in another country.
The program also brings international students to local communities, allowing residents to learn about different cultures while exchange students become involved in schools, families, and community activities.
For Guerrero Guzman, stories she heard from previous exchange students helped persuade her to participate.
“One of my main motivations to have gone on exchange was the stories I would hear,” Guerrero Guzman said. “People saying it was the best thing they have ever done, how they made new friends and the struggles they had and how they overcame them, all these things sounded like a challenge I wanted to overcome and experiences I wanted to live.”
Guerrero Guzman is participating in Chile through the Rotary Club Las Condes-Macul and attends Liceo Santa María de las Condes.
“A lot of people my age aren’t aware of other countries’ cultures or customs,” she said. “Already since I started, I’ve learned not just about Chile’s culture, but other countries’ cultures from friends also doing their exchange.”
Guerrero Guzman said the experience has also influenced her interest in Rotary.
“Neither my parents nor my family members have been Rotarians, but it’s still such a helpful organization that is doing so much to help communities all around the world,” she said. “I want to help that change, so I am set on becoming a Rotarian in the future.”
At her Chilean school, Guerrero Guzman said she has encountered a welcoming environment despite differences from the school experience she was accustomed to in Imperial County.
“Everyone is very kind, and they treat me as if I’ve always known them,” she said.
After high school, Guerrero Guzman plans to study biochemistry and pursue a career as a research scientist or engineer at NASA.
Meanwhile, Alves Klosterhoff is experiencing American school and family life after traveling from Brazil to the Imperial Valley.
Alves Klosterhoff said studying abroad had been a longtime goal, and improving her English was one of the factors that attracted her to the program.
“It was always my dream to study abroad and improve my English, so when I learned about the program, I was fascinated by it,” Alves Klosterhoff said. “I am hoping to experience the American lifestyle, meet new people, and learn about a new culture.”
Alves Klosterhoff was already familiar with Rotary before applying for Youth Exchange. She previously participated in an Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored program for young people.
“Being involved with Interact gave me a positive experience with Rotary and made me want to participate in the Youth Exchange program,” she said.
Her sponsoring organization in Brazil is Rotary Club de Uruguaiana Leste.
“My experience with Rotary has been great,” Alves Klosterhoff said. “It is so nice to talk to them, and they are always very helpful and supportive.”
Alves Klosterhoff is attending Imperial High School during her exchange year. She said she has been welcomed by her host family and the local community.
“It’s been amazing,” she said. “Everybody here is so welcoming and kind to me. My host family has made me feel very comfortable and at home since the beginning.”
She also said her experience has included support from Rotary members in El Centro.
“I also really appreciate how the El Centro Rotary Club and the community are always willing to help me,” Alves Klosterhoff said. “Meeting new people, spending time with my host family, and experiencing everyday life here have made me feel more at home.”
Alves Klosterhoff plans to return to Brazil after the exchange and attend medical school.
Brandon Lee, president of the Rotary Club of El Centro, said the program has expanded the number of international students coming to the Imperial Valley.
“Since Past-President Jennifer Thomason took on the role of District Chair for our Youth Exchange program, we’ve had 10 students from different parts of the world come to the Imperial Valley within the last 12 months, and one is currently spending a full school year in Chile,” Lee said.
“It’s a neat experience to learn a different culture and to share ours,” he said.
Thomason serves as the Rotary District 5340 Youth Exchange chair and oversees the program in the Imperial Valley.
Referring to Alvez, Thomason said: “She’ll be playing on the tennis team, and she’ll be dancing at Jet Dance Academy. She’s very smart, very sweet, and very enthusiastic, and she will be attending various Rotary club meetings throughout the year.”
Rotary Youth Exchange generally serves students between 15 and 19 years old. Long-term exchanges typically last an academic year, with students attending school and living with host families. Short-term exchanges can range from several weeks to a few months and may include family-to-family exchanges or international camps.
The Rotary Club of Calexico has also participated in the program, hosting Codrut Pirvu of Romania, who attended and graduated from Calexico High School as part of his exchange experience.
