Outbound Exchange

Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the least expensive options for up to 12 months of cultural exchange.  A student lives with one to three host families, attending school, and learning a new language and culture. Exchanges usually start in August and the student returns home in July. Some exchanges are available from January through December to a short list of southern hemisphere countries.
 
Parent Responsibilities:
  • $6,800 application fee (set annually- this was the 2019-20 fee- some clubs assist with a portion of this fee) includes plane ticket and visa (varies with location) - special ticket that allows for emergencies, special travel insurance
  • Students will need a passport, physical, a navy blue blazer, exchange pins, business cards, presentation about themselves (PowerPoint), emergency funds, and small gifts for host families, $300
  • Travel expenses for orientations and possible language school, $500
  • $1,500 optional cost of an extended tour while on exchange
  • Costs are saved while the student is away by dropping insurance, cell phone, activity fees, and food savings.
First Step:  Student must contact a local certified Rotary Club, or ask the Outbound Coordinator to find you a local club.  A club interview is required prior to October 31.  Clubs must select their students and may even choose alternates prior to the district interview.  District personnel have final decision on acceptance.
  • Clubs may sponsor an inbound or outbound student or both.
  • Clubs may sponsor more than one outbound student depending on the number of outbound students the district is allowed to send each year.
  • Clubs may elect to pay some of the fee for the outbound student.  
  • Clubs do not pay for the insurance - that cost is included in the fee paid by parents.
  • The host club in the student's new country will pay for the monthly allowance, school fees and lunches.
  • Clubs do not pay for airfare and visas - that cost is included in the fee paid by parents.
  • Clubs do not pay for additional trips that are optional for the students (for example, a two week tour of Europe) - that cost is paid by parents.
  • Clubs do not pay for the Rotary jackets that are required, and gifts for the host family.  Students bring business cards and pins and pay for these themselves - it is nice if the clubs have connections to help them acquire these items for little or no cost.
  • Clubs provide one or more club flags for the students to take to exchange with their host club.
Second Step:  Student must fill out the Central States Application.  
 

Timeline:
October = Club Interviews
November = District Interviews, first part of fee is due
December = Accepted student application sent to Central States
January = Country assignment announced
March =  Orientation session
April = Rotary District Conference
July = Grand Rapids Youth Exchange Conference (pictures)
August = Eleven month exchange begins

Refund schedule:  See "YE Refunds" link on left

Countries Participating:
Through a consortium of 18 districts, District 6270 is currently able to send students the following countries which may be subject to change:

European:  Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey

Asian:  India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand

Central and South American:  Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela
 

Students cannot choose their destination. They are asked to prioritize the list of countries and then are assigned to one that is high on their list, which is almost always one of the student's top ten choices - often even their first choice.  Country selection may be limited by age, and language skills.  Please check current country selection, and requirements.

Qualifications

1. Be between the ages of 15-1/2 and 18-1/2 when they arrive in the host country.
2. Be in the top half of their class academically.
3. Be interested in trying new things (food, culture, ways of looking at the world, etc).
4. Be willing to be a good will ambassador for your country.
5. Be well adjusted, particularly in their family relationships.
6. Have well rounded personalities with an ability to think through their problems.
7. Be above average in maturity.
8. Parents must be 100% supportive of their student's desire to participate.
9. Family must be financially able to support the student while abroad.

If you are a vegetarian, a smoker, have piercings other than your ears, on prescription medication for depression or ADHD, subject to eating disorders, or other similar problems, the exchange may have difficulty placing you with host families. This may impact your ability to participate in the program. Please discuss this with the Outbound Coordinator listed below.

Rules:
In addition to these general rules, please review the overall rules.

1. Student must be sponsored by a local certified Rotary Club.
2. Student must obey the laws of your host country.
3. Student must sign, agree, and abide by the Rotary Youth Exchange Rules.
4. Student must attend school and school activities while in the host country.
5. NO DRIVING any motorized vehicle (accident insurance does not provide coverage).
6. NO DRINKING of alcoholic beverages (except where legal and within the host family).
7. NO DATING on steady basis (you're there to make many friendships).
8. NO DRUGS unless prescribed by doctor (foreign countries are much stronger in their enforcement of drug laws - hard time in jail for offenders).

Host Club Provides:
1. Monthly stipend 
2. Counselor who will be the student's advisor for the year
3. Generally a great deal of interaction with club members and their families

Host Parents Provide
1. Room
2. Food
3. Participation in family activities

Benefits for Exchange Student
1. A new maturity, typically reaching the "emotional age" of someone in their mid-20's
2. A new confidence in oneself and a new personal world-view
3. Proficiency in a second language
4. World-wide networking.
5. Student has become a natural recruit for an international company
6. The opportunity to promote peace through understanding - our main goal!

High School Credit:
Many public high schools will grant credit for your exchange. Thus, if you decide to go before graduation you must check with your school's guidance counselor to determine what policies are in effect for your individual school because each is different.

Who benefits?
Everyone benefits, the student, the parents sending their student abroad, the host parents, the host club, the host country, the sponsoring club, the sending country, the people who meet the student abroad, the people who meet the student after they return home, those who direct the Rotary Youth Exchange program - yes, perhaps even the whole world.

More Information:
For additional information or help in contacting your local Rotary Club, contact the Outbound Coordinator.

RYE District 6270 Outbound Coordinator
Kristine Culver
kristine.culver1@gmail.com
Cell - (708) 954-7065