THE island's four Rotary clubs are to appeal to the public for housing of exchange students this year.

With a record number of 15 local students to benefit from the charity of strangers around the world, it is hoped that Bermudians will show a similar kindness and open their homes ? for just a few months ? to teenagers spending a year away from their friends and families.

"Until now, the students have been housed by Rotary members and families of students who have been sent abroad (as part of the programme). We're now breaking out of that," explained Vaughn Mosher, outgoing president of Sandys Rotary.

"There are a lot of families with kids in school or in college; wonderful local households which we hope are willing to take in someone for 12 to 15 weeks."

Mr. Mosher said the group would be looking for some 36 households to fill the needs of the programme.

"We rarely have them go to one place and stay all year round. More often, we've had students come in and stay with four households so they spent about 11 weeks in each. While it's acceptable, we feel that in order for students to have a truly integrated experience here, the fewer placements the better."

Through the Rotary International exchange programme, Bermudian students have been able to spend a year, living with host families, experiencing the language, culture and customs of such countries as Siberia, South America, Europe and Africa. This year's students will be placed in homes in Venezuela, Mexico, Thailand, France, Brazil, South Africa and Germany or Finland.

By the time of travel, students must be between the ages of 15? and 18?. Interested teens must be willing to submit to an extensive application and interview process which begins in October of the previous year to travel.

"We first work with counsellors in the schools," Mr. Mosher said. "I admit, the kids have to go through a rigorous application process. But we feel that if someone is willing to put the time in to complete what is a fairly gruelling application, it's testament to the fact that they are ready to go.

"We used to restrict the numbers we'd send but so many kids are terrific ambassadors for Bermuda. It's such a wonderful cultural exchange, that we decided to turn around and said if we have 15 to go out, let them."

A committee comprised of representatives from the island's four clubs ? St. George's, Pembroke, Hamilton and Sandys ? is to be responsible for finding the homes.

"Students generally come in around the third week of August. It allows them time to get used to their new home and settled into the environment before school starts. Until four or five years ago all (exchange participants) would attend the Bermuda College.

"Although it was a good academic experience, it's tough to integrate there. Kids go to class and go home. They might meet up in the lunchroom or the library. So four or five years ago, we went to the senior and private schools ? it had been 20 or 25 years since schools had an exchange programme ? and we've since we've had students in Saltus Grammar School, the Berkeley Institute, Warwick Academy, Bermuda High School and Cedarbridge Academy.

They've been taken in at no cost to the kids or to Rotary. The schools all felt that it provided wonderful exposure for the exchange students and served as an incentive to local students to participate as well."

The benefits to the students who have participated in the programme are numerous as described in the words of one of its current participants, 17-year-old Jessica Porter who in an e-mail to Mr. Mosher wrote: "Please let all the students who are going know that they are going to have such an amazing year.

"All they have to do is make the best out of everything; when you're in a situation that you don't like, just turn it around and find a way to enjoy it. That's what I do and I have nothing to regret about my first five months in Mexico. It's all about what you make it to be."

Both the organisation's public relations officer, Jack Turner, and programme co-ordinator Walter Saul, agreed that by living with a family, students' experiences are far removed from those of a tourist.

"As exchange students, they get more of a world view than if they just stayed here in Bermuda," said Mr. Saul. "They get to really and truly understand the culture because they become part of the culture and they learn the language with it.

"It opens their minds and gives them a bit of a push. It makes them a more valuable asset when they enter the workforce. A number of them (end up) teaching languages or accept posts in companies in Bermuda asking for someone who can speak a foreign language."

Added Mr. Mosher: "A number of students (return) and say how before they left, they thought Bermuda was the centre of the world. (It) helps strengthen their love of everything about Bermuda but gives them a more realistic perspective.

"So often they're protected and sheltered at home. They have cliques they're comfortable in and when they go, they enter a new culture and realise very quickly that all they have is what they take with them and what they make of the situation. It all depends on what they bring to the social environment. It makes for a different kind of independence."

The Rotary International exchange programme is sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Families interested in boarding students can contact Mr. Mosher at 295-2070.