The Pagosa Springs Rotary Club is currently hosting Wennei Chan, high school sophomore, from New Taipei, Taiwan, who arrived in Pagosa Springs Aug. 20.
New Taipei is the second largest city in Taiwan and is in the northern part of the island, which is surrounded by the South China Sea. Chan’s father is an engineer and her mother is an art curator, and she has an 8-year-old sister. She and her family live in a suburb community that is away from the commotion of the urban city and has more parks and trees.
At Pagosa Springs High School, she is enrolled in typical American classes, including U.S. history, English and math. She is also taking art classes, which are her favorite. Chan is very interested in dance, music, art and literature. She is participating in dance classes at the Pagosa Springs Dance Academy.
Last school year, Tommy Nigro, from Zevio, Italy, was hosted by the families of Marcella and Graham Denen, Darin and Erin Richy, and Cristi and Ben Dozier. Everyone had wonderful exchange experiences and made close family connections.
The Rotary exchange program is always interested in talking with students who are interested in the outbound program and families that are interested in hosting a student. Anyone who is interested in learning more about this opportunity should contact Rotarians Lisa Scott, (970) 749-4268, lisascott5680@icloud.com; Ronnie Doctor, (920) 946-6367; or Granton Bartz, (970) 946-2827.
The Rotary Clubs in Pagosa Springs have participated in the International Youth Exchange Program since 1991.
Students apply for this opportunity through the local Rotary Club and are interviewed and selected by committees in each country. Once a student is placed, they spend 10 months in that community and live with two or three different families during their time abroad. This way, they experience different family environments and meet a wider variety of people.
Rotary clubs in Pagosa Springs include the noon club, which meets Thursdays at noon at Coyote Moon, and the evening club meets every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Ramon’s. Rotary is always accepting new members and invites anyone who would like to explore the opportunity to make contact with any community Rotarian or the names listed above.
Rotary International is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves — through service and action.
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