Update on Soren - 2025-26 Outbound to Japan

Soren is living his dream as an exchange student in Japan, hosted by the Kyoto-Rakuto Rotary Club in District 2650. He is a long distance (and many time zones away) from St. Augustine, where he attended St. Augustine High School.

In his latest journal entry, Soren describes a whirlwind of activity over the course of the spring. New Year’s brought meaningful traditions like shrine visits, pulling fortunes, and making osechi. February and March were filled with finals, Valentine’s customs (and a lot of chocolate), and volunteering at the Kyoto Marathon. After exams, he visited Lake Biwa and the Kyoto Korean School. Spring break has been packed with travel and Rotary events. Despite constant exhaustion, Soren feels happy, loves the cherry blossoms, and doesn’t want to leave. Learn more about his exchange at https://www.rye6970.org/2025-26-soren-outbound-to-japan-2026-03/

Learn more about District 6970 Rotary Youth Exchange at https://www.rye6970.org/, including how your club can sponsor an Outbound student and host an Inbound student. Outbound applications for the 2027-28 academic year open on August 1, 2026.