Bermudians who travelled abroad as part of Rotary Exchange are being urged to join a network aimed at bringing together past participants.

University students Omar Lodge and Justin Brangman, who spent a year in Brazil and France respectively, have set up a Rotex club on the Island and want to sign up as many members as possible.

Mr. Lodge, 21, said: "It's really an informal network of past exchange students. But the major thing we want to do as Rotex is enter a float into the May 24 parade.

"The object of that would be to get the past exchange students together so they can mingle and also get the foreign exchange students that are in Bermuda now involved.

"I think that would be an awesome experience for them being featured in such a big thing as part of Bermuda's heritage."

Mr. Brangman, also 21, said: "We also want to publicise the Rotary Exchange programme for future students too.

"It is something that, to a certain extent, could be life altering. Being able to see a different part of the world in a different light, learning the language and immersing yourself in the culture is an amazing experience."

The new Rotex club held its first social gathering this month at the home of Walter and Cindy Saul and about 25 former exchange students attended.

A group has also been created on the social networking site Facebook and 44 people have already signed up to exchange photos and messages and find out about forthcoming events.

* Anyone interested in joining Bermuda Rotex should e-mail gomarlodge@smu.ca or search for Bermuda Rotex on Facebook.