Summary of Rules and Conditions of Exchange

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Although Rotary International offers support to local Rotary Youth Exchange programs through publications and suggested guidelines, Rotary districts and clubs run their programs independent of Rotary International. Therefore, each club or district program will have its own specific rules for students to follow. Students accepted into the program sign and agree to abide by a list of program rules at the time of application and prior to their departure from home. 

While the hosting Rotary Club will discuss all program rules with you, you and your parents may wish to review the program rules on your application form to be sure that everyone has a clear understanding of what is expected. Basic program rules consist of common-sense stipulations, such as no drinking, no use of drugs, no driving of any type of motorized vehicles and, especially important, the need to obtain special permission for travel while on the exchange.

We take these rules/guidelines seriously, not because we are trying to spoil your fun but because we want you to have the best experience possible.  There is a reason behind each of the D’s, and if not now sometime during or after your exchange experience you will learn to appreciate why we worked so hard at constantly calling them to your attention.

Some rules are designed for safety; others are to help students integrate into their new country and culture. There is a standard list of Rotary Youth Exchange rules in the application, which must be read and signed by the student and their parents prior to selection as a RYE student.  Your host country, host club and EACH host family may have additional rules by which you must also abide.

STRICT RULES AND CONDITIONS OF EXCHANGE — VIOLATIONS MAY RESULT IN THE STUDENT’S IMMEDIATE RETURN HOME.

  1. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO OBEY THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF THE HOSTING COUNTRY – 
  2. NO DRUGS 
  3. NO DRINKING (ALCOHOL) 
  4. NO DRIVING (No operating Motorized Vehicles) –SHOPLIFTING and Fraud are crimes No exceptions, your exchange will be over!!
  5. NO INDEPENDENT TRAVEL –This means no traveling alone or with other exchange students/friends without an approved adult chaperone. 
  6. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE (Mandatory)
  7. ABIDE BY RULES OF THE HOST DISTRICT

COMMON SENSE RULES AND CONDITIONS OF EXCHANGE — 

VIOLATIONS WILL RESULT IN A DISTRICT REVIEW, RESTRICTIONS, AND A POSSIBLE RETURN HOME.  SEVERE OR CONSISTENT DISREGARD FOR THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN BEING RETURNED HOME.

  1. NO DATING 
  2. NO DISFIGUREMENT
  3. RESPECT 
  4. ABIDE BY THE CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN
  5. NO SMOKING – No Vaping, use of Tobacco in any form is allowed
NO Exceptions.
  6. Become an integral part of the Host Family, 
  7. Learn the language of your host country. 
  8. Get involved in your school and community sports and special interest activities. 
  9. Choose friends in the community carefully. 
  10. Do not borrow money. 
  11. Do not travel alone or accompanied only by other students.   
  12. You must show proof of proper immunization
  13. Students should have sufficient financial support to assure their well-being during the exchange year. 
  14. Any costs relative to a student’s early return home or any other unusual costs (e.g., language tutoring, tours, etc.) shall be the responsibility of the student and his or her natural parents or guardians.
  15. Students must return home directly by a route mutually agreeable to the Host District and the student’s natural parents or guardians.
  16. You will be under the Hosting District’s authority while you are an exchange student. Your Host Rotary Club is your Legal Guardian during your exchange year. 
  17. Visits by your parents or guardians, while you are in the program, are strongly discouraged. 
  18. Check email daily – this is the primary way that Rotary will communicate with you.
  19. Initial 90 Days on exchange – limited to no text, video, etc.-Video Chatting included.
  20. Keep your Social Media Professional  No matter how private you think these communications are, they aren’t.
  21. Do communicate by e-mail with your parents up to once weekly,
  22. Do communicate with your sponsoring Rotary Club, and District 5100 Youth Exchange Officer once a month. 
  23. Communicate With Host Parents prior to the exchange- 
  24. Submit Monthly Reports to your Country Officer – Your Sponsor district is required to keep a record of your exchange activities during the year. They must have a monthly report from you in order to accomplish this. Your reports are due on the last day of every month and then a final report is due a few days before you return home. 

But I Won’t Get Caught

Students may have heard from previous and current exchange students about the D’s.  Don’t do this, don’t do that.  We have heard the poems and songs written about them including the add-on D “Don’t get caught”. There are many situations in which students can find themselves on a plane home
early.  The most obvious cause would be if they break the laws of their host country
.that is if they are not in jail.   

Before and during exchange students may become aware of other exchange students who are ‘getting away with breaking some of these rules’ and nothing has happened to them.  It may be only a matter of time before they are faced with the consequences of their actions.  Please do not follow their example.  These rules have been developed by both Rotarians and former exchange students who have said, ‘If only I had
” following severe problems they experienced during their exchanges. 

You and your parents signed a document entitled Program Rules and Conditions of Exchange as part of your Long-Term program application.  You have already agreed to follow these rules for the duration of your exchange.  If you need to clarify any issue that arises, please ask your YEO or club counselor for assistance.  They will be happy to help you. 

Remember ‘Character’ means doing the right thing when nobody’s watching.  Ask yourself if you and your parents can be proud of your decisions.Â