Top 10 reasons for attending International RYLA

 

 

A participant in the 2009 International RYLA in Rugby, England, navigates one of several team building exercises. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson

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Meeting new friends. Learning about different cultures. Building your leadership skills. Taking part in a life-changing experience.

Sound like fun? Then you'd be in good company among the participants of the 2009 International RYLA in Rugby, England.

We asked this group of 100 alumni from all over the world to help us compile a list of the top reasons their peers should consider taking part in the 2010 International RYLA in Montréal, Québec, Canada .

Here's what they came up with:

• Make new friends from all over the world.
• Get to know some of the most wonderful people you've ever met.
• Learn about different cultures and countries.
• Wake up, stay awake, and serve others. "Thanks to this short but intensive meeting, you'll get the willingness to move, to do something with your life," says Maria Tönjes, from District 1850 (Germany).
• Be challenged in new ways.
• Build on skills developed at district RYLA events.
• Come out of your shell. "You get a chance to analyze yourself from various perspectives, causing you to make changes in your 'database' about personal opinions, etc.," notes Ketki Borkar, from District 3030 (India).
• Listen to people who have completed scholarships and exchanges through Rotary.
• Broaden your horizons. "You'll get a chance to listen to very well-investigated and -researched lectures, and the speakers are excellent!" says Tönjes.
• "Find out who the next prime minister of India will be -- an inside joke with the 2009 participants," says Rebecca Lowder, from District 5810 (Texas, USA).

For information on who's eligible and how to apply for the 2010 International RYLA in Montréal, 17-20 June, download the 2010 International RYLA Guide . Apply by 15 December.

Need more inspiration? Read about the 2009 International RYLA in the July issue of Interactive.

This is the third in a series of articles about Rotary youth programs for New Generations Month.

• Read Rotaract paves the way into Rotary
• Read Rotaract meeting spotlights feats, fun
• Learn more about RYLA