1. Could Rotary Youth Exchange Be For You?

2. Youth Exchange
Youth Exchange is one of Rotary International’s structured programs designed to help clubs and districts achieve their service goals in their own communities and in communities abroad, fostering fellowship and goodwill in the process.

3. What is Youth Exchange?
The long-term Youth Exchange program is an exchange program for High School students. Students travel to other countries to learn about the culture and the language as well as act as a cultural ambassador for their own country.

4. Long-term Exchanges
A long-term exchange lasts for an academic year, usually from August through early July. Students stay with 2-3 host families and are required to attend school in their host country, even if they have already graduated high school.

5. Youth Exchange History
The first exchanges began in 1927 involving only European students.
Exchanges between California and Latin American countries started in 1939.
Activities spread to the Eastern United States in 1958.
Youth Exchange became an official program of RI in 1972.

6. Youth Exchange Facts
More than 8,000 students participate each year in over 60 countries.
86% of all Rotary districts participate in the Youth Exchange program.
Rotary Youth Exchange is an affordable exchange program.
Rotary Youth Exchange is open to the children or Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike.

7. Youth Exchange Goals Youth Exchange
Provides young people with the opportunity to experience cultures other than their own
Gives participants a broader view of the world and a deeper understanding of themselves
Develops leadership and communication skills in youth
Advances international understanding
and world peace

8. Benefits of Youth Exchange
Youth Exchange allows students to
Meet people from other countries and experience their culture firsthand
Gain a better understanding of the basic needs we all share and the diversity that makes each culture unique

9. Youth Exchange Guidelines
Eligible students for the long-term program
must be:
Between the ages of 15 and 18 ½ by the time of departure
At the high-school or equivalent academic level
Top half of their class academically
Socially ready to handle living abroad for
an extended period
Flexible, friendly and fun!

10. How Youth Exchange Operates
Club committees recruit, screen, and select students and host families for participation in the program.
District chairs work with their counterparts around the world to organize all aspects of the exchanges.
Rotary International produces a list of district Youth Exchange chairs quarterly to help communication with one another.

11. Youth Exchange Timeline
September/October- Complete RYE Application
October- Meet with Local Rotary Club for initial interview
November 1- Applications Due!
Late November- District Interviews in Mason
January- Country Selection
February- 1st Orientation at Gull Lake
April- 2nd Orientation in Mason
July- Calvin College Orientation
August/September- DEPART!

12. How Will You Change? It will be the hardest, most challenging and
wonderful year of your life
The exchange experience will change your life
forever
You will be a much better student than you are now
At the completion of the exchange you will be more
mature than you are now
Your perspective of the world and world affairs
will change forever

13. Countries marked with an *
Where Can You Go?
Europe
Austria
Belgium
Czech
Croatia
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Lithuania
Poland
Russia
Slovakia
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
*Bulgaria
*Iceland
*Latvia
*Netherland
*Ukraine
Nordic Countries
Denmark
Faroe Islands
Finland
Norway
Sweden
Central America
Mexico
*Costa Rica
*Dominican Rep.
Southern Hemisphere
Australia
South Africa
*New Zealand
*Zimbabwe
South America
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Ecuador
Paraguay
Peru
*Colombia
*Venezuela
Asia
India
Japan
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
*Indonesia
*Philippines
Available countries may change, depending on potential political conflicts or other unknown factors (weather disaster, etc.)
Countries marked with an *
have hosted students in the past, but may not host for the exchange year.

14. How Much Does it Cost? Anticipated Expenses (Estimate Only)
Application Fee ($250 Refundable Due w/ App) $2,000
(Includes Health Insurance, Business Cards,
2x Calvin Conference attendance, Orientations,
Administrative Costs, etc.)
Round Trip Air Travel & Visa Requirements $2,000- $3,500
Language Camp^ $200-$400
Host Country Health Insurance^ $500
Rotary Sponsored Summer Trip (Optional) $2,000
Clothing $500
Gifts for Host Families, VIPs $150
Miscellaneous (Travel, Souvenirs, etc.) $500
TOTAL: $5,150- $9,950
^ Not required in all countries

15. Don’t Be Dumb Rotary Youth Exchange 4 “Ds” Don’t do DRUGS Don’t DRIVE
Don’t DRINK
Don’t DATE (no romantic attachments)

16. Questions?