Five young Bermudians are about to embark upon an exciting year of foreign language and culture on a Rotary exchange programme.

"Bermuda is very fortunate to send five students abroad this year especially when we usually only host two foreign students every year,'' said Sandys Rotary Club's Inbound/Outbound student exchange co-ordinator Walter Saul.

Berkeley graduates Garon Wilkinson and Jena Simmons are going to Japan and Mexico, respectively; Warwick Academy graduates Jamal Smith and Teresa Whitter are bound for Brazil and Belgium, respectively; and Graeme Henderson of Saltus is off to Thailand.

Mr. Saul said the outstanding students had been chosen for this Rotary Exchange for their outgoing personalities, their involvement in extra curricular activities, and the fact they were in the top third of their class academically.

"We mainly look at how they come across, personality-wise, in their interview, in a room with six to ten adults,'' Mr. Saul said. "We like to see if they can think on their feet, smile, and have no hesitation when it comes to answering questions.'' He added that the programme organisers also looked for young people who would be good ambassadors for Bermuda.

"It is so important that the students do not make a bad impression on the people in that country,'' Mr. Saul explained, "because if the locals do not know any other Bermudians, they may mistakenly think that all Bermudians are the same way.'' The five students were chosen out of 15 who applied.

Originally only three were chosen, with two alternates, Mr. Saul said.

"We really pushed the district to let us send more students,'' he explained, "because these are really good kids.'' During their year abroad, the students will complete one year of high school, and study the main language of the country. At the end of the school year the students will embark on a tour of the country before returning home.

The students will have to cover the cost of their plane tickets, but Rotary will take care of their expenses while they are overseas.

"This is not an academic year, but an incredible education within itself. It is a completely cultural experience for students to become more exposed to other ways of living and to broaden their horizons,'' added Mr. Saul, who is also a student counsellor for the foreign Rotary students who visit Bermuda.

He also stressed that Rotary was appealing to the public to host foreign exchange students.

"If we hosted more foreign students in Bermuda each year, we would have the opportunity to send more Bermudians each year,'' Mr. Saul noted. "It is also a wonderful and interesting experience to host a foreign student.

"We really need more volunteer host families as they are dwindling quickly.'' The foreign students who come to Bermuda usually stay with a host family for three months in order to experience different Bermudian lifestyles.

And Mr. Saul stressed that any family who had room for a student and would like to host one for a few months should contact him on 236-1823.

Any young Bermudian interested in applying to be a Rotary exchange student should see their school guidance counsellor for more information in September.

OFF TO FOREIGN LANDS -- Pictured, from left, are Teresa Whitter, Graeme Henderson, Jenna Simmons, and Garon Wilkinson, who will be participating in a Rotary Exchange this year. Missing is Jamal Smith.