FREEPORT – Interested in hosting an exchange student and being an ambassador for the United States? If so, the Rotary Club of Freeport has an opportunity. The organization is seeking host families for a 16-year-old Brazilian exchange student this December.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for a local family to be a part of, “said Karen O’Rourke, a Freeport Rotarian who is spearheading the effort. “It’s a chance to share your home, food and culture. You don’t have to change who you are or what you do.”

The Rotary Club of Freeport sponsors a foreign exchange student on a semi-regular basis, said O’Rourke, who works at the University of New England. “This is something that embodies the spirit of the Rotary,” said O’Rourke.

According to information provided by the organization, a Rotary International Youth Exchange student spends up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country. More than 80 countries and more than 8,000 students each year participate in the program, which is administered at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs.

Rotary Club volunteers administer the program at the local level, which helps keep costs low for students and their families, said O’Rourke.

For this particular student, the Rotary Club of Freeport is seeking families to host the student from December until March and then from March until May. To qualify for the exchange program, a candidate must complete a written application and in-person interview at their local Rotary and be an above-average student.

“We have a pretty rigorous vetting process for both the host families and the students,” said O’Rourke. “We want to make sure it’s a fit.

The host family is expected to provide room and board, supervise the student, involve the student in family activities and chores and enrich the exchange experience by including the student in family, community and cultural activities. The parents of the exchange student provide spending money. Host families aren’t compensated financially, but the program is run entirely by volunteers, which helps keep costs low.

“The great thing in sharing cultural experiences is that it brings a better understanding to the world, which can lead to less conflict,” said O’Rourke.

For more information on the International Rotary Youth Exchange Program or to inquire about becoming a host family, contact Karen O’Rourke at 865-6398.