The South Whidbey Rotary Club is participating in a youth exchange program in which a South End student will travel to and live in a foreign country from August 2009 until approximately July 2010.

The program involves a student spending a year in another country, living with local families, and attending school. Students are treated as members of families, not as celebrities. Students who are currently at the 10th- or 11th-grade levels are preferred, and requirements include above-average academic ability, adaptability, independence and maturity, plus an outgoing personality.

The cost of room and board is covered by Rotary and the families abroad. Rotary also pays living allowance and cost of school, where applicable.

Parents pay for transportation, medical and dental insurance and clothing.

Students must attend school and learn the language if other than English. No credit may be received toward graduation for education taken elsewhere. Home-schooled and private school students are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 31.

Interested students can pick up an application from their high school counselor’s office or contact Ed Gemkow at 321-6414 or e-mail edward@gemkow.net. Applicants will be interviewed with their parents in early November and selection will follow by Nov. 17.