By Ivan Vianna, Rotary Club of Belo Horizonte-Pampulha, Brazil —
Whenever I speak about or write about Rotary Youth Exchange, my mind goes back to my teenager years and I have good memories. No doubt that year as an exchange student, 1968, did provide me with experiences for all the years ahead.
It took 22 years after my exchange year to join Rotary as a member. The main reason was that nobody invited me. From my first day as a Rotarian, I became a member of the Youth Exchange District Committee. In 1991, my district had fewer than 15 outbound students. That drove me to find new partnerships by participating in Rotary International Conventions, Youth Exchange preconventions, regional meetings in North America and Europe, and a trip to Russia.
As time went by, I participated in several national and international organizations, including some outside Rotary related to my engineering field, which helped grow my network. Being active and serving in several organizations as a member of the board, director, or president, enabled me to spread the news about Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program as well as Rotary itself.
A close friend became president of Brazil, and later governor of my state. I was there to assist and do my best to serve my country during his terms. It was beyond any expectations I ever had.
Our District 4760 Program expanded to nearly 100 outbound students, both long and short term, before the program was suspended due to the pandemic. When it returned, our numbers had shrunk by about a third. A few years ago, I stepped down as district committee member, accepting the title of Chair Emeritus (more a label of distinction than a role with daily responsibilities). But I remain ready to step in whenever needed.
I did step in to help my district reestablish partnerships we used to have, and to contact our previous Youth Exchange Officers who became friends through the years. A fringe benefit/reward for anyone who serves as a YEO: you make friends all over the world. I did so, and it’s always a good time to renew those friendships, whether related to exchange partnerships or not.
My granddaughter Isabella is being hosted in Owego, New York, only 50 miles away from Montrose, Pennsylvania, where her father Gustavo and I were also hosted. Three generations of Rotary Youth Exchange students have been hosted in that small area within a 57-year span. Has the world become smaller, or is this coincidence?
I have tried to keep in contact with outbound students from my club, and am a proud sponsor of 18 Rotarians in my Rotary club.
Last February, I joined a safari in Tanzania, led by my dear old friend Tom, himself a Youth Exchange Officer in the state of New York, whom I first met during the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993. When the safari was over, we met a girl in Tanzanian who had been a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Owego two years ago. What a surprise when I told her my granddaughter is currently being hosted in Owego at the same high school. I was able to share how Isabella kept hearing stories about the student from Tanzanian who everyone loved. Isn’t Rotary magical?
So, if you know someone you think would make a good Rotary member, don’t delay. Bring them to a club meeting and begin the process of making a life-long friend.
Ivan Vianna is Rotary Youth Exchange Chairman Emeritus of District 4760 and a member of the Rotary Club of Belo Horizonte-Pampulha, Brazil.
In 2025, we proudly celebrate 50 years of Rotary Youth Exchange as an official program of Rotary International! This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of countless volunteers who ensure each exchange experience is a success. We are always eager to showcase the commitment of these volunteers and program alumni. Do you have a success story related to Rotary Youth Exchange that deserves to be highlighted? If so, please reach out to us at [email protected] and share your story!
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/04/16/57-years-of-rotary-youth-exchange/