Youth Exchange - Rules

The below rules applies to ALL Youth Exchange Students, Inbound and Outbound. Violations of the below rules MAY result in the student’s immediate return home.

As a Youth Exchange Student sponsored by a Rotary Club and/or District, you must agree to the following rules and conditions of exchange. Please note that other districts may add additional rules if needed on account of local conditions.

Conditions of Exchange

Violations of the below rules MAY result in the student's immediate return home.

1. Obey the Laws of the Host Country - If found guilty of violation of any law, student can expect no assistance from their sponsors or their native country. Student will be returned home as soon as he/she is released by authorities.

2. The student is not allowed to possess or use illegal drugs. Medicine prescribed by a physician is allowed.

3. The student is not authorized to operate a motorized vehicle of any kind or participate in driver education programs.

4. The illegal drinking of alcoholic beverages is expressly forbidden. Students who are of legal drinking age should refrain. If the host family offers a student an alcoholic drink, it is permissible to accept it under their supervision in their home.

5. Stealing is prohibited. There are no exceptions.

6. Unauthorized travel is not allowed. Students must follow the travel rules of the Host District.

7. The student must be covered by a health and life insurance policy agreeable to the Hosting District.

8. The student must attend school regularly and make an honest attempt to succeed.

9. The student must abide by the rules and conditions of exchange of the Hosting District provided by the District Youth Exchange Committee.

10. The student must agree not to take a Laptop computer on exchange.

Common Sense Rules and Conditions of Exchange

Violations will result in a district review and restrictions. Severe/Consistent disregard for these rules will result in being returned home.

1. Smoking is discouraged. If you state in your application that you do not smoke, you will be held to that position throughout your year. Your acceptance and host family placement is based on your signed statement. Under no circumstances are you to smoke in your Host Family's home.

2. Become an integral part of the Host Family, assuming duties and responsibilities normal for a student of your age and other children in the family. Respect your host's wishes.

3. Learn the language of your host country. The effort will be appreciated by teachers, host parents, Rotary club members and others you meet in the community. It will go a long way in your gaining acceptance in the community and those who will become lifelong friends.

4. Attend Rotary-sponsored events and host family events. Show an interest in host family and Rotary activities to which you are invited. Volunteer to get involved, do not wait to be asked. Lack of interest on your part is detrimental to your exchange and can have a negative impact on future exchanges.

5. Get involved in your school and community activities. Plan your recreation and spare time activities around your school and community friends. Do not spend all your time with the other exchange students.

6. Choose friends in the community carefully. Ask for and heed the advice of host families, counselors and school personnel in choosing friends.

7. Do not borrow money. Pay any bills you incur promptly. Ask permission to use the family telephone, keep track of long distance calls and reimburse your host family each month for the calls you make.

8. Travel is permitted with host parents or for Rotary club or district functions authorized by the hosting Rotary club or district with proper adult chaperones. Other travel must be approved by the host district contact, host club, host family and student's own parents/legal guardians in writing exempting Rotary or responsibility and liability. Students may not travel alone or accompanied only by other students.

9. If you are offered an opportunity to go on a trip or to an event, make sure you understand any costs you must pay and your responsibilities before you go.

10. You must show proof of proper immunization.

11. Students should have sufficient financial support to assure their well-being during the exchange year. Your hosting district may require a contingency fund for emergency situations. It must be replenished by the student's parents/guardians as it is depleted. Unused funds at the end of the exchange will be returned to the student. These funds must be turned over to your Host Rotary Club upon your arrival and is not meant to cover day-to-day expenses.

12. 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's own parents/guardians.

13. All travel arrangements to and from the host city may be required to be made through a travel agency specified by the Rotary program in order to assure coordination of travel and arrival.

14. Travel to and from the host city is to be by a direct route. It is understood that travel which deviates from direct routes automatically separates the applicant from the Rotary program.

15. You will be under the Hosting District's authority while you are an exchange student. Parents/guardians must avoid authorizing any extra activities directly to their son/daughter. The Host Club and District Youth Exchange Officers must authorize such activities. If the student has relatives in the host country or region, they will have no authority over the student while the student is in the program.

16. Visits by your parents/guardians, siblings and/or friends while you are in the program are strongly discouraged. Such visits may only take place with the host club and host district's consent and only within the last quarter of the exchange or during school breaks. Visits are not allowed during major holidays, even if occurring during school breaks.

17. Avoid serious romantic activity. Abstain from sexual activity and promiscuity.