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PROGRAMS

Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time.

Rotary has different ways to participate in our Youth Exchange programs – as a student, a family, or a volunteer.

Short Term (STEP) – Family to Family – Three to Four Weeks 

Usually during JUNE – AUGUST (1 month in the US  – 1 month overseas).

  • Basics of the Program:
    • Interested in a taste of the world, and willing to share yours with others? Then the short-term program may be for you. Rotary’s short-term exchange program usually takes place during the summer, and brings together paired families from different countries.
    • Typically, you would spend 3-4 weeks overseas with a family of a student of approximately the same age. And then, you and your new host sibling would come back to the US for a 3-4 week stay with your family (the order can be reversed, with the foreign student coming here first – whichever works best for the families is fine).
    • The age requirement range is more open than the LTEP program and allows ages 14.5 to 19 to participate. Check with your local Rotary Club to check age limits.
    • The list of countries in this program changes from time to time; most are in Europe, Asia with a few in South America.
    • The estimated family budget for an outbound student for a summer exchange is approximately $2000 – $3500.
    • The short-term program does not generally include school attendance, and instead provides educational experiences through exposure to a new language and culture. Naturally, the friendships that develop often last a long time, with repeat visits a very common occurrence.
    • For younger students, or perhaps those wanting to sample the experience before committing to the long-term program, Rotary’s short-term exchange program can be a good fit.
    • Contact your local Rotary club or district to find out more, if you are interested in a short-term exchange.

Long Term (LTEP) – Academic Year

Basics:

  • It takes a very special teen to consider themselves capable of spending a year abroad, but the rewards and experiences are unlike anything you may ever know again. If you think you can do this, don’t let the opportunity pass you by.
  • For a truly amazing, life-changing experience, there is nothing like the long-term exchange. Students spend a year in another country, becoming fluent in the language and immersed in the culture, and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.
  • Long-term exchanges last a full academic year, and students attend local schools and live with multiple host families.
  • Students must be between the ages of 15.5 and 18.5 at the time their exchange year begins.
  • Students must apply and be selected by their Local Rotary Club.
  • Selected High School students leave in August for a year’s study at a high school in a foreign country.
  • Each student will live with one or more families during the year. The students will return home the following summer. 
  • Average expected expenses are between $5000 and $8000.
  • Participants attend high school, and may or may not get credit back home for courses taken (but colleges often recognize the value of exchange programs, with credit for language ability and greater acceptance rates!). Each student will have up to three (or more) host families throughout the year, to broaden the experience and see the variations that exist in all cultures.
 

Host an Inbound Exchange Student – 3 to 4 Months

Basics:

  • During the year an Inbound Foreign Student attends High School, they live with 2- 3 families for approximately 3 to 5 months each.
  • Host families normally live in the High School district to minimize transportation problems.
  • The host families provide room and board for the inbound student.
  • The inbound students receive a monthly allowance from the Local Rotary Club for incidental expenses.
  • You do not need to be a Rotarian to be a host family.

Want to learn more – Click Here.

Volunteer Basics

  • By regulations of the US Department of State, all Rotary Youth Exchange volunteers are required to complete a web application and submit it prior to serving as a volunteer, Youth Exchange Officer, counselor, or other role at the club or district level.
  • Anyone who will be working with youth in our District will need to complete the volunteer application and training.
  • You do not need to be a Rotarian to be a volunteer.

Ready to apply? Click HERE.

HOW TO APPLY

 

Apply to be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student

Apply to be a Host Family

Apply to be a Volunteer