Nuts and Bolts of Youthlinc:
• Students currently enrolled in either high school and college are selected for participation through application and on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to community service, reliability, and ability to get along well with others.
• Students accepted into the program make a commitment to volunteer between 80 hours during the school year.
• Students then tra
vel on a two week service mission to a developing country in the summer at the end of the school year (Cambodia, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, Kenya or Vietnam).
• Students are required to attend monthly meetings where they are mentored to take leadership roles in tasks at their international service site.
• Students are required to finance the balance of the cost of their international experience, which includes vaccinations, passport, and optional tourist activities. Financial aid and sponsorships are available.
• The international service experience includes involvement in construction and educational projects, medical activities under the supervision of American medical professionals, and cultural exchange activities with local students and individuals of all ages. Youthlinc staff, Rotarians, medical professionals, and educators mentor and accompany students.
• Youthlinc’s approach to international service is based in best practice research in international development. We work in partnership with small villages to bring sustainable change. We use project based and cooperative learning to ensure student ownership over each service project. Each international team is comprised of core committees (medical, education, cultural, microenterprise, vocational training, and construction), which allow students to guide the projects in each given area of development.
