A 17-year-old from Vimercate, Italy, is set to spend the school year at Roswell High School, but the Roswell Rotary Club still has no family to house her for the spring semester.
Coordinators Alesia Booth and Deb Perkins secured host families for the student's fall and winter terms. The spring slot, covering roughly three months in early 2027, remains open. The club has been searching for a match since at least early July, when the need first appeared in the club's weekly Rotascope newsletter. A July 27 post on the club's website labeled "URGENT" said the student was expected to arrive within days.
The need is urgent.
The student's name has not been published, consistent with privacy norms for minors in exchange programs. She comes from a city of about 26,000 people in Lombardy, roughly 22 kilometers northeast of Milan, and will enter the 11th grade at Roswell High.
What hosting involves
Under the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the student carries her own insurance and pocket money. The host family provides room and board, and Rotary does not pay a stipend, according to program guidelines. Any household in the Roswell High School attendance zone can apply. Empty nesters, families with young children, families with teenagers. Rotary membership is not required.
The club said hosting requires a willingness to share family life, offer support, and welcome the student as a member of the household.
How to step up
Families interested in the spring term, or in hosting for a future school year, can reach Booth or Perkins by emailing [email protected]. The Roswell Rotary Club meets Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building, 10495 Woodstock Road.
Rotary District 6900 is also holding information sessions for prospective host families: Thursday, August 20 in Buckhead, Wednesday, August 26 in Peachtree City, and Wednesday, September 16 in Johns Creek.
Upcoming community events
- Friday, August 7–Sunday, August 9 — Rotary District 6900 RYE Inbound/Rebound Weekend (orientation for incoming exchange students)
