In the Month Before You Go
As your departure date approaches, ask yourself the following questions to make sure you are adequately prepared for your exchange.
- Do you have your passport and visa?
- Do you have your travel plans completed? Are your airline tickets for round trip airfare, and do you have an “open return” or option to reschedule?
- Have you corresponded with your first host family and your host Rotary club? Have you provided them with your complete itinerary and received confirmation that they will be at the airport to pick you up?
- Do you have a cell phone that will work in all of the places along your route? Do you have sponsor and host Rotary contacts programmed?
-  What language preparations have you made? Do you have a dictionary for your new language? Can you introduce yourself in your new language? Can you ask for directions, pronounce your host family’s name, and ask “Where is the bathroom?” MOST IMPORTANTLY, can you say “thank you”?
- Do you have a photo album with 20-30 good pictures of you, your family, your home, your school, your town, and interesting places you have visited? Have you prepared a hometown presentation?
- Have you made arrangements with your parents for transferring money to you, and have you established a budget?Â
- Have you become familiar with the monetary system and US$ exchange rate for your country?
- Have you thought about how you will handle the inevitable homesickness and loneliness that you will experience?Â
- Do you have a plan for handling family emergencies back home?
- Have you selected appropriate gifts for your host families?Â
- Do you have some small tokens of appreciation to give those who invite you to their homes or to other events?Â
- Do you have thank you notes or postcards to say “thank you”?
- Do you have your Rotary business cards and your Rotary blazer?
- Do you have several club banners from your sponsor Rotary club to present to the Rotary clubs you visit?
- Have you done your “homework” on your host country, and have you become familiar with its culture, history, politics, geography, and where it is located?
- Have you prepared yourself to ask the most important questions of your new host family upon your arrival in their home?
- Do you have all the originals and copies of documents you need to take with you?
Packing Your Carry-On Bag
In your carry-on bag have the following items:
- Your passportÂ
- Tickets
- Cell phone with international calling capabilities turned on
- Credit/Debit Card
- Emergency numbers should be in your cell phone
- Country Officer
- Travel Agency
- Host Family
- Toothbrush
- Change of underwear and a change of clothes (in case your luggage doesn’t end up where you do)
- Something to read/listen to on the plane
- Your Rotary business cards
- The name, address, telephone number, etc. of your Rotary contacts in your host country
- A small dictionary of your host language
- A small amount of the local currency
- Any other items you need for a peaceful flight
Before Your Departure Day
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- Be sure to have turned on international services for your phone.
- Label all your luggage with your contact information here in the states.
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- Do not put your passport or currency or airline tickets in your checked luggage.
Day of Departure
- WEAR YOUR ROTARY BLAZER.
- Arrive to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight.
- Verify you have all your documents, baggage and carry ons.
- Be sure your baggage does not weigh over the maximum weight limit.
- Your Country Officer and perhaps others from your Rotary Club and Club YEO will be at the airport to send you off on your exchange. Take a few minutes to talk with them before saying goodbye to family.
- Once through security, you are on your way. Once the plane takes off, you are officially a Rotary Youth Exchange Outbound Student.
- Drink lots of water on the plane – avoid sodas, and adult beverages, as they make your feet swell and your body will dehydrate.
- Have a fantastic year and don’t forget about the people back home!
