Rotary Youth Exchange Program
Making a World of Difference
Is Rotary Youth Exchange a part of your Club’s youth activities?
Youth Exchange – Accept the Challenge
For more information about the program please contact Cindy Harrison at
cehaz@cox.net or 480.262.1897
During this current Rotary year many Clubs will become involved in the Youth
Exchange Program. The challenge is to have the remaining Clubs become
involved, or at least consider the possibility of doing so in the future.
Why is the challenge of involvement well worth the effort?
Because you will reward a young person from your own community with an
opportunity to study overseas for twelve months. This will provide an opportunity
to learn a new culture, make new friends, become more independent and in most
instances have the need to learn a new language. In addition, you will learn from
the inbound student many things about their own country and culture.
Could there be a better youth project?
Rotary Youth Exchange is a reciprocal program. This is what makes it so
rewarding for everyone involved. Not only do the students gain from the
exchange for the stated reasons, but the host Clubs and the many host families
also gain a fuller perspective of the meaning of international friendship. Fellow
students of the exchange student also have an opportunity to learn about and
share these cultural differences and international friendships thanks to Rotary - to
your Club.
Why Rotary Youth Exchange?
There are many Exchange Organizations operating in the United States.
What makes Rotary Youth Exchange better than the others?
Support Network - In both their sponsor district and in their overseas host
district Rotary students have advice and support from their counselors, club
members and district committee, so as to help them through any rough patches.
Cost—The extensive use of Rotary personnel as host families and counselors,
together with financial support from their Rotary clubs, means that the cost of a
12 month exchange is significantly less expensive than the private enterprise
operations. This opens the opportunities for Youth Exchange to many young
people who could not otherwise afford to fulfill their dreams of an exchange.
Training—Our students attend RYLA camp, orientation sessions and various
other briefings to ensure that they are as well prepared for their period overseas
as possible. This training includes public speaking, cultural differences, getting
along with people etc.
Student—Standards - With most other exchange organizations, all that is
required of the student is the selection of a destination and the payment of
money. Rotary requires a reasonable academic standard and evaluates the
student to assess whether they will cope with the many demands of a period
overseas in an ambassadorial role.
Breadth of Experiences - As well as a period in an overseas country living with
host families and going to school, our students are exposed to other activities
such as Rotary District Conferences, speaking at Rotary Clubs, Rotary tours etc.
which gives the exchange an extra dimension, and provides the students with
many additional great experiences.
The strength of the Rotary Youth Exchange is the Rotary support and the
encouragement provided. Your Club if involved will give two students an
experience of a lifetime.
Youth Exchange Program
Increase your Family - Become a Host Parent
What type of families are typical hosts for exchange students?
Answer - all types. Some families have no children of their own, a grown up
family with no children at home, or a family of only small children. Not all host
families are or need to be Rotary families. In some instances the only connection
is that they want to repay a debt of gratitude to Rotary for the opportunity that
was given to their own son or daughter as an exchange student. The only proviso
for any host family is that it provides a stable and friendly household. In all
instances the family must have the approval of your Club and accept the Rotary
International Policy to establish minimum standards in student protection and
best practices for exchange programs. This includes interviews of all potential
host families, briefing about expectations, as well as a background check. When
you host a student in your home you give yourself an opportunity to broaden your
own horizons and those of your family. Your own children, will get to know and
understand another culture, and make a new friend from the other side of the
world. Suddenly the world will be a smaller and friendlier place. You have given
yourself a friend, a person who will remain part of your family for a long time
to come.
The optimum number of host families for a student is three. Although, in some
instances more or less can be equally satisfactory. Why not talk to someone
who is new in your Club or hasn’t been involved before in youth exchange. Some
people only need to be asked to respond to a challenge to accept it. This could
be the best thing you do for them and the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
Exchange Students - Who, How & Where?
Rotary Youth Exchange is a student exchange first and a
cultural exchange second.
Ideally, students should be in grades 10, 11 and in some cases 12th grade to
apply for an exchange. Students should demonstrate maturity and display
academic success in school. Although there is not an exact requirement,
students should be in the top 50% or higher in their class.
Some students will have completed year 12 before they commence
their exchange. That’s fine; however they must be prepared to
complete another year of secondary education in their host country.
Exchanges are made with many countries in South America, Europe,
Scandinavia, and Asia.
What is the cost to Clubs?
The hosted, inbound student receives a monthly allowance, RYLA and perhaps a
birthday and Christmas gift. Other costs include a fee to the district which covers
the cost of mandatory district trainings, all criminal background checks, district
conference and one weekend for students only. Approximate cost is $2400 per
year. Many clubs share the cost and duties with another nearby/local club.
For the sponsored, outbound student, there is a cost of $100, which covers the
cost of the student blazer. It is also strongly suggested that your outbound
student attend several Rotary meetings prior to their departure, RYLA and
perhaps the District Conference.
Clubs may choose to provide some assistance to students financially restricted, if
they wish to. This adds to the involvement of the Rotary Club in the development
of the young person through this most worthy project. Parents are responsible
for the cost of all travel to the host country, travel insurance, normal personal
living expenses, organized Rotary trips etc.
Rotary Youth Exchange can then become an opportunity for everyone to
learn, to grow and to participate in the promotion of international
understanding and friendship.