By Irwan Norris, District 3310 Rotary Youth Exchange Chair —
Our first Rotary Youth Exchange student in 17 years faced a grueling 28-hour journey to begin his exciting year in a new country. Venezuelan Kevin Gomes arrived in Kuala Lumpur after departing Caracas with a stop in Istanbul. It would be an overwhelming experience for any traveler, let alone a 16-year-old leaving home for the first time.
Upon his arrived at the airport in Istanbul, Kevin’s exhaustion and anxiety got the best of him momentarily, as he sought refuge in the bathroom for a full 20 minutes to calm his nerves. But once he arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, his fears melted away as he was warmly welcomed by his host father, Thevindran, and myself. To his relief, we were “normal people,” and his Malaysian adventure had officially begun.
Prior to Kevin, our last exchange student was a boy from Brazil, hosted by Rotary Club of Johor Bahru Sentral in 2006. Dr. John Chan, our district governor, and I were excited to reintroduce this amazing Rotary program to District 3310. Kevin’s experience was soon to remind us why we had been eager to be a part of this program again, one that fosters global understanding and cultural exchange.
At home in Johor Bahru
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Antonio Los Altos, and hosted by the Rotary Club of Johor Bahru Sentral, Kevin immediately began to settle into his new home. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of Malaysia, located just across the causeway from Singapore, and part of our diverse and dynamic region that spans across Singapore, the southern states of Peninsular Malaysia, northern Borneo, and Brunei.
One of Kevin’s first Rotary experiences involved visiting a community reading kiosk in a small village on the outskirts of Johor Bahru. The Mari Membaca Kiosk is a project of his host club and promotes literacy for children from underprivileged families. Kevin spent the day reading books with the children and sharing stories about Venezuela – a country most of them had never heard of before. Many of these children had never traveled beyond their village so meeting someone from the other side of the world was an unforgettable experience.
At Mohd Khalid High School, Kevin became a source of curiosity for his classmates. Many had only seen Latinos on telenovela or as professional soccer players in Malaysia’s local league. Quickly, he formed close friendships and even began speaking Malay, mastering simple conversational phrases that allowed him to communicate with his peers.
A Rotary experience like no other
A highlight of his year included being part of the Youth Exchange Officers (YEO) Preconvention in Singapore during the 2024 Rotary International Convention. Not only did he attend, but he was also a co-emcee for the two-day preconvention event – a first in the history of YEO Preconventions.
During this incredible experience, Kevin met some of the most influential figures in Rotary, including then-President R. Gordon R. McInally, Rotary General Secretary and CEO John Hewko, President-elect Stephanie Urchick, and President-nominee Mario César de Camargo. He also had the chance to interact with thousands of Rotary members from all over the world, giving him a deep and personal insight into the power and reach of Rotary. Seeing firsthand how Rotary’s efforts impact global communities reinforced his belief in the program and its ability to create a better world.
Lessons beyond the classroom
Living in Malaysia gave Kevin a unique perspective on multiculturalism and harmony. Coming from a predominantly Catholic background, he was fascinated by the way different cultures and religions coexisted peacefully in his host country. One of his most memorable experiences was spending Ramadan with his host family, fasting during the day and breaking fast with traditional Malay dishes. Celebrating Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (Eid al-Fitr) was a joyous occasion, and he was struck by the realization that, despite religious differences, his Muslim family in Malaysia was just as warm, festive, and loud as his Catholic family back home in Venezuela.
A challenge worth taking
Reintroducing Rotary Youth Exchange in our district was no easy task. Many Rotarians were hesitant to host an exchange student, concerned about the responsibility of housing and caring for a young stranger. However, Kevin’s experience proved that the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Hosting a student is not just about providing food and shelter – it’s about fostering lifelong connections, breaking cultural barriers, and creating global citizens.
For our district, it’s a new beginning. The doors have been reopened, and with the support of Rotary members and clubs, Rotary Youth Exchange will once again flourish here – one student, two host families, and one positive experience at a time. For Kevin, he now has a family in Malaysia that he can come home to anytime. This is a classic example of the magic of Rotary at work.
In 2025, we 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. If you have a success story related to Rotary Youth Exchange that deserves to be highlighted, share it with us at [email protected]
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/03/25/rotary-youth-exchange-returns-to-district-3310/