Inbounds

What is an "Inbound" Exchange Student?

An "Inbound" is a high school student who has been selected by a sponsoring Rotary Club abroad to spend a year here. Most of the Inbounds in Rotary District 5180 arrive in late summer and stay until June the following year.

Exchange Students reap many rewards from an exchange experience, including:

• Serving as an ambassador for their country and community
• Making lifelong friends, not only within the host country but also with other students from around the world
• Learning about the practices and accomplishments of people in other countries
• Returning home with a greater sense of the world and a deeper understanding of themselves and their culture
• Assuming leadership roles shaped by lessons from the experience
• Building memories that will be with them forever

Information for Current Inbounds

Arrival Date & Arrival Airport

You must plan on arriving into the Sacramento International Airport by the date shown on your guarantee from, usually in early- to mid-August. We will not accept any students after the start of the school year.

You must make travel arrangements from your homeland directly to the Sacramento International Airport and have an unrestricted, open ticket allowing travel home at any time should that become necessary. If an unrestricted ticket is not available, then the fee for changing your ticket must be low to no cost, or approximately $100 to $200.

Family Visits

Because this is a cultural and educational exchange and you are acting as an ambassador from your country, we have found that visits by family during the exchange year are disruptive to the student's adjustment to the new culture. Therefore, visitation by parents or family is highly discouraged. We have found that prior exchange students find it to be a more enjoyable and rewarding experience when they choose to travel back to their host country one to two years after their exchange year. If a student travels with their natural family during the exchange, they are still under the Rotary program and must follow all local travel rules. In all cases, visits from friends or family will not be permitted before January 1st or after May 1st.

Mandatory Inbound Orientations and Events

You are expected to participate in the following events that are paid for by Rotary 5180:

• Fall Orientation - An orientation weekend is scheduled for late August. This will be a time to learn about our rules, our culture, and meet other inbound students.
• Winter Orientation - Held in early December.
• International Culinary Event – Inbound students prepare dishes from their home countries. Proceeds from this event fund the students’ attendance at the District Conference.
• District Conference – Usually a Friday through Sunday and usually held in May.

Insurance

District 5180 requires you purchase medical insurance online from Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Information about the policy and how to make this purchase will be sent to Inbound students after they are accepted by the District. Proof of insurance may be necessary in order to obtain your student visa.

Language

If English is not your native language, it is MOST IMPORTANT that you learn the English language as fast and as well as possible. The success of your stay here may well depend on your ability and willingness to learn our language. Everything will be more interesting when you know how to express yourself and understand what is said around you.

School

School is a very important part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. The understanding of English is achieved mainly by your work in class, together with the help of teachers and classmates. You must attend all school classes, unless excused for a "valid reason." A valid reason would be to participate in a Rotary activity. Together with the help of your teachers, make a goal for your studies and do your best to achieve it. You are welcome (and encouraged!) to participate in school and community activities such as sports, dance, theater, debate, or music.

As is the case throughout the world, making friends in a new school or community can be very trying. Be as outgoing as possible, be patient and above all, keep trying. You are encouraged to take part in school activities. This will enable you to meet with your fellow classmates on a more social level, and friendships will develop.

Spending Money

You will be supplied with some pocket money each month from your Host Rotary Club to help cover your expenses. You are required to arrive with an emergency fund of $350.00, which must be replenished by your parents if it is used for an emergency. This fund will be held in trust by your Host Club and made available to you as needs arise. Traveler's Checks may be cashed easily and ATM's are readily available. Usually, you will be living with middle class families, so you must refrain from having and spending excessive amounts of money.

Local Trips and Outings

Our district has planned four outings for Inbound students. The cost for these trips vary, but are generally between $150 and $300 per student.

• San Francisco Weekend (Early October)
• Christmas Holiday in Sacramento Trip (Early December, following the Winter Orientation)
• Tahoe Ski Trip (Early February, weather permitting)
• Yosemite Trip (Late May)

In addition, District 5180 has a strong and active ROTEX group, who plan additional outings:

• Corn Maze (Day outing in October)
• Apple Hill (Day outing in September/October)
• Santa Cruz (Weekend trip in April)
• Others, including laser tag, drive-in movies, and more.

Please see the calendar for exact dates for this Rotary year.

Trips / Tours

While this is not a travel exchange, some opportunities for travel are available at an additional cost:

• New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC
• East Coast
• WESSEX Hawaiian Adventure

Updated information will be available on BeloUSA.

Host Families

Most students will live with two or three Host Families during their stay here. Try to become a member of the Hosting family and take on a fair share of the responsibilities as a family member. Remember, these are people who agreed to open their homes to you and are willing to help you in any reasonable way possible.

Weather

Average Weather in Sacramento California, United States

In Sacramento, the summers are hot, arid, and mostly clear and the winters are short, cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 39°F to 94°F and is rarely below 31°F or above 102°F.