See the world Interested in becoming a foreign exchange student? One well-known program, Rotary International's Youth Exchange program, coordinates study-abroad packages for 8,000 students a year. Rotary officials said students interesting in applying should contact their school's guidance counselors, their local Rotary club, or visit www.ryeflorida.org. Students must fill out an application form and complete an extensive interview with a local Rotary official. Eligible high school students must be between 15 and 19. The program is highly selective, and students are encouraged to apply up to a year in advance of when they wish to leave. Students must follow laws of host countries, avoid drugs and alcohol, and pay for round-trip transportation, clothing, health insurance and any administrative costs. — Michael Reed

Did you know? The Rotary Club's name comes from the practice of rotating the club's meetings among the members' offices. · Founded by lawyer Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905, the club held its first convention in 1910 to form a national association. · The Rotary Club became an international organization in 1912 when charters were issued for clubs in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and London. The club's name was officially changed to Rotary International in 1922. · The organization's motto is "Service Above Self." — Compiled by News Researcher Peggy Ellis SOURCES: www.rotary.org; Famous First Facts

Krehemeier and Bless, foreign exchange students from Europe, faced a new language, a new culture and different courses from what they were used to.

"It was so confusing," Krehemeier said. "The school was so big. We got lost all the time."

Sponsored by one of several foreign exchange programs that bring students to Volusia and Flagler schools each year, Krehemeier and Bless left their families behind for at least nine months to broaden their horizons and meet new friends. The program also sponsors stays by local students in other countries.

So far, Krehemeier and Bless say they're enjoying their stay.

"The experience is cool," Krehemeier said.

Krehemeier, 16, from Germany, and Bless, 18, from Switzerland, are Flagler's only foreign exchange students this year. The Volusia County school district has 10.

The Flagler students are part of Rotary International's Youth Exchange, which coordinates study abroad programs for 8,000 students each year.

"It gives them an opportunity to learn a new language, to learn a new culture, and to discover a lot about themselves," said Al Kalter, Youth Exchange chairman for Rotary's District 6970, which includes 12 Florida counties, including Volusia and Flagler.

Mariana Divardin, a 16-year-old Brazilian exchange student at New Smyrna Beach High School, said the adjustment was hard at first because she didn't know anybody, but now she's making several friends.

"It's the best experience I've ever had," she said.

Jessie Clark, a zoning specialist for Volusia County Schools, said the district typically welcomes 15 foreign exchange students each year from programs such as Rotary, International Student Exchange and Pacific International Culture Exchange. Clark would not release names or home countries of the 10 foreign exchange students at Volusia schools this year.

He said the program enables each student to learn about our culture. Most find their experience much different than in their home countries, he said.

Here, classes are larger and schools are bigger. Krehemeier and Bless said they have shorter class periods in Europe.

School seems easier here, Krehemeier said.

Aside from the warm weather, different foods and cheaper prices, Krehemeier said she didn't know what to expect when she came to the United States. For one thing, she didn't realize how nice the people would be.

"To learn a new culture, all these new people, it's exciting," she said.

And they're sampling new traditions.

"In Switzerland, we didn't have Halloween or homecoming queen," Bless said.

Kalter said it takes a special kind of student to leave their family for so long. And it takes a special kind of parent to let their kids leave as well.

Mario Ridgley of Palm Coast watched his 16-year-old daughter, Amber, leave this summer for France.

"I kind of had mixed feelings about it, but she was excited," Ridgley said.

He said he would miss her terribly, but the experience would be good for her. And once he learned about Rotary International, and the host parents in France, Ridgley said he felt much better about letting Amber leave.

In the Rotary program, host families provide food and shelter, and public school attendance is free. Students and their families pay for their flights to the United States, plus clothing and any recreational activities.

Lea Stokes, a Youth Exchange officer for Rotary in Flagler Beach, said the organization is very selective about host parents as well as the students that apply for the program. Members of Rotary meet with the students and families for interviews after they receive applications.

"They're put through a pretty grueling process," Stokes said.

This year, Rotary's District 6970 sent 22 students abroad and placed 42 students from other countries in area high schools.

Rotary is looking for next year's crop of students to send abroad, Kalter said.

Krehemeier said other students should study abroad if they get the chance.

"It's not easy because there's so much time away from your family, but I think it's a good experience," she said.

michael.reed@news-jrnl.com