We are fortunate to live in a place so abundantly beautiful and to call it home. Turn in any direction, and you’ll be met with stunning landscapes, adventurous activities, deep-rooted history – and above all else – a robust creative community. Our small mountain town is impeccable; that’s why we share it with strangers, the people we love, and new friends.
Durango’s local Rotary Club extends this sentiment to exchange students from around the world. Their Youth Exchange program connects young, brave, and courageous students with local host families. Giving students the opportunity to experience the small pleasures that make Durango magical.
But this isn't a one-sided exchange. Just as much as we offer these brave students, they give back tenfold. Their curiosity is infectious. Their perspective is new. Their willingness to explore can’t help but rub off on you.
Since 1975, Durango High Noon Rotary’s Youth Exchange program has sponsored both outbound and inbound students from various countries around the globe. The exchange lasts one school calendar year, with a typical age range of 16 to 17, often for students in their sophomore or junior year of high school.
Wendy Fenton is the mastermind behind this wonderful program. As the Youth Exchange Officer, she ensures a smooth transition for everyone involved. This includes facilitating travel, visa plans, schooling, and more.
“For inbound students who are placed with High Noon Rotary, I communicate with that student and family prior to arrival to introduce Durango and our community,” said Fenton. Through these interactions, she learns the students’ interests, hobbies, and goals. This matters because she matches inbound students with local host families.
Fenton knows the gifts of these exchanges firsthand, as her family hosted a young man from Denmark when her son was in high school. She said, “Our daughter was off to college, so we had an extra room; it made sense to open our home to host an exchange student.” Both her son and host son played soccer together on the high school team. When asked to describe her host son in three words, she said, “he was brave, adventurous, and curious.”
After seeing someone experience Durango for the first time, she noted, “A common theme from exchange students is how friendly everyone is.” As a community, we lead with kindness and care, as reflected in our ability to support and uplift one another. Students also found that Durango was not too big or too small, a perfect medium to introduce them to a new country. Fenton also mentioned the exchange students loved the sports at the high school and all the wildlife, adding, “Being on lockdown at the high school because there is a bear in the hood is a pretty unique experience!”
Durango High Noon Rotary’s Youth exchange program is made possible through the tremendous work and dedication of local volunteers. Their service reflects Rotarians’ motto, “Service Above Self.”
As we share our lives with these students, we can slow down and appreciate the little things many of us may take for granted. Something as simple as deer crossing the road, the flower baskets lining downtown Main, live music in the park, or a social bike ride on a Thursday evening. These exchanges open doors to opportunity and create lasting relationships for everyone involved.
Durango High Noon Rotary Club’s Student Exchange program promotes world peace and believes that experiencing other cultures and ways of living is key to working towards and achieving this goal. Wendy Fenton, the Youth Exchange Officer, said this program "really is an amazing opportunity that is creating connections around the globe. There are many stories of students and families staying in touch over the years.” The relationships formed through the exchange are rewarding not only to the student but to the host family as well.
Sharing cultures broadens our worldview, opens our hearts, and reminds us how much we must be thankful for right here at home.