ZYNA FEZANA Zoroastrian Exchange Program
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The ZYNA FEZANA Zoroastrian Exchange program will offer Zoroastrian youth between the age of 14-19 years, an opportunity for a stay with a host family in another city/country.
Each participant gets an opportunity of spending 1 – 2 weeks in a different city/country than the one they live in. Zoroastrian host families in various cities will be paired with potential youth participants. The selected participants will play an active role in being a part of the daily activities and events with their Zoroastrian host families and if the opportunity arises also with local Zoroastrian associations.
OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE:
Through this project, the Zoroastrian Youth would get an opportunity to live with a Zoroastrian family in a different city/country, learn about new traditions, customs, culture, language, food, etc. and truly become global citizens.
HOST FAMILY AND ORGANIZATION
This experience is about people as much as it is about culture and living with a different family will be part of what makes the program unique. Living with a host family is the opportunity to gain a true insight into the everyday and the extraordinary life in the chosen destination.
The participants will be provided with a host family placement. The host family will provide a safe, secure and comfortable atmosphere for the youth to stay as well as opportunities to interact with other Zoroastrian youth and others if possible.
ZYNA will pair the individual youth and their parents with the host family through an initial zoom introduction. Thereupon they will continue to facilitate any coordination necessary.
Purpose of the host family: To share what Zoroastrian life is like where they live, and show our youth what true Zoroastrian hospitality is. It is also a chance for the host family’s children to get to know new Zoroastrians their age from perhaps a different culture.
Eligibility to be a HOST family
A Zoroastrian family who has children between the ages of 14-19 (or close to) who would be excited to take our youth to the local Darbe-mehr and/or Zoroastrian events. As well as taking them sightseeing to showcase the city they live in. Be able to provide safe and comfortable accommodation during their stay and facilitate all meals etc. If your family has food restrictions we would need to know. Accommodation and food would be covered by the host family for the duration of the 1 – 2 week stay. Participating youth and their parents will be encouraged to bear some/all costs for sightseeing, entry fees etc as necessary.
The host family will commit to at least 1 week of stay.
Eligibility for Youth Member
Purpose: To experience first hand how Zoroastrians live in another place of the world. Zoroastrians with Iranian backgrounds could be placed with Zoroastrian Parsis and vise-versa to increase unity in our community.
Eligibility: A Zoroastrian between the ages of 14-19 who writes a 500 word essay on why they would like to be part of this Zoroastrian Exchange Program. All participants are expected to cover travel, health and travel insurance and other basic costs as necessary. This includes (but not limited to) sightseeing, entry fees and other costs.
Medical conditions and food requirements for safety must be disclosed with the host family.
The Youth will commit to at least 1 week of stay.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
In 2023 this program will be run as a pilot project during the months of July and August.
For YOUTH participants
Interested youth will email ZYNA@fezana.org with
A letter of intent.
Contact information for themselves and their parents.
A 300-500 word essay on why they would like to participate and what they hope to achieve from this.
For HOST families
Interested youth families will ZYNA@fezana.org with
A letter of intent
Information about members of the household and a brief intro about the children in the house.
Any other conditions/reservations/requests they would need ZYNA to consider as part of their condition to host youth.
Applications will be processed and once a host family is identified, ZYNA will initiate the first introductory email and zoom call.
COST:
All travel costs, and other costs listed above shall be borne by the family of the youth participants.
Host families will bear any costs that go towards providing safe and secure accommodation in their home, and meals etc. Any special sightseeing, entry fees etc. shall be discussed prior to the exchange and if necessary shall be covered by the family of the youth participating in the exchange.
DURATION OF THE PROGRAM:
Every Summer for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 2 weeks
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM:
Exchange program participants unlock their true potential to:
Develop lifelong leadership skills
Learn a new language and culture
Build lasting friendships with young people from around the world
Become a global citizen.
TIMELINE:
Start month and year: July/August 2023
For more information and any other clarifications or queries email zyna@fezana.org
