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YMCA of Central Kentucky/Sportjugend Youth Exchange

UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

2012 Germany Trip

Tentative Trip Date: July 1 – 14, 2012

Application Deadline: October 15, 2011

Passport: Participants will need a valid passport (paid for on own); application may take up to 3 months so plan accordingly if selected

Anticipated Trip Costs: $2,300 – individual/fundraising amount (includes airfare, homestay, meals, travel lodging, Y shirt, and ground transportation); partial financial assistance may be available

Optional Trip Costs: Optional sightseeing; airport meals/snacks; supplies; shots (as recommended if any by your doctor); souvenirs, etc.

Dear Sportjugend Applicant,

On behalf of the YMCA of Central Kentucky, thank you for your interest in the 2012 YMCA of Central

Kentucky/Sportjugend Youth Exchange

The Sportjugend Youth Exchange program is an amazing opportunity for Central Kentucky YMCA youth to practice global citizenship through cultural exchange. It is a capacity-building program that gives youth and young adults the opportunity to promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This trip will travel to Germany (primarily Koblenz, Mainz, and Cologne) for two weeks of cultural immersion.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS APPLICATION COMPLETELY.

THIS TRIP WILL NOT BE A TWO-WEEK VACATION. This program will include home stays, travel, foreign language management and youth interaction. The Sportjugend youth were in Lexington, Kentucky the summer of 2011 and this is our first trip to their area. This trip…

IS NOT: IS:

A platform for drawing hard-line conclusions
Merely a 2-week commitment
A chance to “do your own thing” once in Germany
A vacation or sight-seeing tour
Static (Don’t form expectations about future exchange programs based on this one.)

· A learning experience

· Platform for asking questions

A probe of cross-cultural identities
A lesson in diplomacy
A place to question your own conclusions
A chance to stretch yourself in spirit, mind and body
Grounded in principles of teamwork
A commitment to uphold all program expectations An investment by the YMCA Y teens

The number of spaces available on this trip is limited to fifteen (15). The selection process will be blind and will utilize an objective Application Review Committee. Please do not be discouraged if you are not selected for this particular trip, as we hope to offer many more such opportunities in the coming months and years. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you so much for your interest!

My best,

Gail Glasser, President and CEO

APPLICATION