Forty-Eight Years of Friendship: Rotary Youth Exchange Brings Japan and New Jersey Together

WEST ORANGE, N.J. - EntSun -- fter 48 years of friendship, Rotary District 7475's Short-Term Youth Exchange Program with Japan District 2670 continues to build understanding across cultures through personal connections.

Twenty students and leaders from Japan arrived in New Jersey on July 31 for a three-week exchange hosted by Rotary families. The program is one of Rotary District 7475's longest-running international partnerships, connecting thousands of students, families, and communities in Japan and New Jersey.

The Rotary Club of West Orange has supported this partnership since its inception, helping generations of students experience Rotary's commitment to peace and understanding.

The students began their New Jersey experience in Central New Jersey, visiting Rotary clubs and communities throughout the region. Their activities included attending the Philadelphia Phillies' "Strike Out Hunger & Polio" event, experiencing American sports culture, and exploring local cultural attractions.

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However, the heart of the exchange is not found only in the places visited. It is found in the homes where students stay, the meals they share, and the friendships they build with host families.

Following their first week in Central New Jersey, the students transitioned to the Northeast region during a special gathering hosted by the Rotary Club of West Orange. Students, advisors, Rotarians, and host families gathered as the students met the families who would welcome them for the next chapter of their American journey.

"Rotary Youth Exchange is about much more than travel," said Immediate Past District Governor Bob Law. "It is about building relationships, creating cultural understanding, and developing the next generation of global citizens. When students and families open their homes to one another, they create friendships that can last a lifetime."

During their Northeast New Jersey experience, students will visit the United Nations Headquarters, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Turtle Back Zoo, Medieval Times, and other cultural destinations throughout New Jersey and New York.

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For host families, the exchange provides an opportunity to share their communities while learning about Japanese culture and traditions. These connections often continue long after the students return home.

As Rotary District 7475 approaches the program's 50th anniversary milestone, this exchange remains a powerful example of how Rotary builds bridges across cultures—one student, one family, and one friendship at a time.

About Rotary District 7475

Rotary District 7475 includes approximately 1,800 members in 74 clubs across northern and central New Jersey. Through service projects, youth programs, and international partnerships, Rotary members create lasting impact locally and globally.

Learn more about Rotary and clubs in District 7475 at https://njrotary.org.