1. Who can be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student?
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is open to high school students, or those who have just graduated, between the ages of 15 and 18½ on departure. It does not matter whether your parents are members of a Rotary Club - the program is open to children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike.

Exchange student candidates must be outgoing, self-confident, friendly, adaptable, and adventurous, willing to learn a foreign language, with above average grades in school. The application form will require you to tell about yourself and your family, and provide references from school teachers and administrators.

2. What is the Long Term Program?
Rotary offers two types of exchanges for high school students. For a truly amazing, life-changing experience, there is nothing like the long-term exchange. Students spend a year in another country, becoming fluent in the language and immersed in the culture, and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.

Participants attend high school, and may or may not get credit back home for courses taken (but colleges often recognize the value of exchange programs, with credit for language ability and greater acceptance rates!). Each student will have up to four (or more) host families through the year to broaden the experience and see the variations that exist in all cultures.

It takes a very special teen to consider him or herself capable of spending a year abroad, but the rewards and experiences are unlike anything they may ever know again. If you think you can do this, don't let the opportunity pass you by.

3. What is the Short Term Program?
 Interested in a taste of the world, and willing to share yours with others? Then the short-term program may be for you. Rotary's short-term exchange program usually takes place during the summer, and brings together paired families from different countries. Typically, you would spend 3-4 weeks overseas with a family that has a son or daughter of approximately the same age. And then, you and your new host sibling would come back to the US for a 3-4 week stay with your family (the order can be reversed, with the foreign student coming here first - whichever works best for the families is fine).
The short-term program does not generally include school attendance, and instead provides its educational experiences through exposure to a new language and culture. Naturally, the friendships that develop often last a long time, with repeat visits being a very common occurrence.
For younger students, or perhaps those wanting to sample the experience before committing to the long-term program, Rotary's short-term exchange program can be a good fit. Contact your local Rotary club or district to find out more, if you are interested in a short-term exchange.
 

4. Can I choose my country?
 A very popular question and the answer is ... yes and no. The countries we exchange with are those we know run top-quality programs, and we re-evaluate them each year. There are a limited number of exchanges available with each country, and we will not overload any country in either direction, inbound or outbound. Therefore, if you're going to spend a year overseas, we ask you to select three preferred countries, and we allow you to refuse any countries that you would not accept an assignment to. The majority of students will get one of their three choices. We also do not exchange with English speaking countries. But remember, flexibility is a vital characteristic for a successful exchange student, and that starts right at the beginning.

5. Do I have to speak another language?
 No, not at all. Naturally, it would help to have some familiarity with the language of the country you go to, but we don't limit the program to those who are already bi-lingual. In fact, one of the great benefits of the program is quickly gaining fluency in another language. Typically, our students become fluent in 3-4 months, even without any previous knowledge of the language! But we strongly recommend that all participants start learning their target language as soon as they are selected for the program. The more of the language you know up front, the better your experience will be.

6. Will I get school credit during my exchange?
 This is always a tough question because it varies from school to school and country to country. You should sit down with your school counselors when you apply and when you know what country you are going to for your year. Pre-planning makes a big difference. If you have question, contact your Youth Exchange Officer or the District YE Chairman. 

7. Will I benefit going on an exchange?
Yes! Past history has indicated that having the Rotary Exchange Year on your college application carries more weight in many cases than your GPA, class ranking, or even SAT or ACT score. Colleges are looking for students that are going to successfully complete their studies and graduate. By completing a full year exchange in another culture you are showing them that you have the "right stuff".  Future employers will take similar views of your year's experience, not to mention the benefits of becoming bi-lingual or bi-cultural!

Want to know more about this? We are pleased to refer you to an excellent book entitled The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education. You can order it through online booksellers such as amazon.com, or learn more at www.mayafrost.com/new-global-student-book.htm.

8. What if I have problems during my exchange?
 The design of the Rotary Exchange program is such that if you have problems we have the resources to help you solve the problems, starting with a Rotary Club right in the community in which you are living. You will have multiple avenues of help available to you to resolve any problem that might come up.

Rotary International and Rotarians in South Carolina take very seriously our responsibility for the safety and security of all Rotary exchange students, both inbound and outbound. In November, 2002, the Board of Directors of Rotary International adopted the following Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth:

"Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact."

9. Do my parents have to host an Inbound Student?
 Parents of long-term outbound students are not required to host. Many, of course, choose to do so, partly because they have an empty room, but also so they can experience some of what their son or daughter is going through. We encourage that, but we also recognize that not all families are able to host. We do ask outbound students and their families to help find host families in their own communities to accommodate the inbound student that will be hosted by their Rotary Club.

10. What will this COST me?
You must submit a non-refundable fee with your application in order to be considered for the program. That application fee is $350 for Short Term Students and $500 for Long Term Students.

Rotary Youth Exchange Students spending a year abroad are provided with a monthly allowance from their host Rotary club. This is usually the equivalent of between $50 and $100 US, but may vary by location. If you want or need spending money beyond that, it is up to you and your parents to provide it. Of course, you do not have to pay for room and board, school fees, etc.

Almost all students are also required to deposit an Emergency Fund with their host Rotary Club; usually $350.  This money is there for unexpected expenses (medical, dental, telephone, etc.), and, if it is used during the year, it must be replenished by you or your parents. If it is not used, it is returned to you at the end of the year.

Long Term Exchange Student’s will pay for:

Application Fee: Student $500

Short Term Exchange Student’s will pay for:

Application Fee: Student $350  

Both Short and Long Term Student’s will be responsible for the following costs:

·                       Round-trip airfare

·                       Health and accident insurance

·                       Travel documents (passport)

·                       Clothing and other necessities

·                       Spending money

·                       Emergency funds for unpredicted expenses ($350)

·                       Ancillary travel and tours

To summarize, the program costs are the initial application fee, airfare, an Emergency Fund to be taken with you, whatever additional spending money you and your parents agree on, and, in some countries, the cost of a language camp.

11. How do I APPLY?
Click the links on the bottom of the Home page that are labeled Long Term and Short Term Student Applications.  These links will walk you through the application process step by step.

12. Do I need to know anything else?
 Well, you might want to take a look at the Ten Commandments for a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. 

Ten Commandments for a Rotary Youth Exchange Student

  1. Take the initiative in adapting to your host family.

a.       Find out and willingly conform to family rules and customs.

b.       Volunteer to help around the house and garden; keep on volunteering, even in the face of rejection, until it is clear that your assistance is not wanted or appropriate.

c.       At least try any strange food. Rejection of meals prepared by the host mother can become a very sensitive issue.

d.       Unfailingly carry out your responsibilities for maintaining your own room, and whatever other duties may be assigned to you. Your goal should be to create as little extra work as possible for others (usually your host mother).

e.       Say "thank you" whenever someone does something for you. Appreciation goes a long way to softening the impact of the workload your presence in the household inevitably creates.

f.        Express interest in your host family, the town and its history, and any local "sights".

  1. Be a serious student (you are a student, not a tourist!)

 .        Take school seriously. Do your homework. Participate in class as much as possible.

a.       Remember that you are an extra burden on your teachers. Express appreciation for their understanding and assistance.

b.       Join appropriate school activities, clubs, and groups.

c.       Try to imprint yourself in the collective school memory as having made a positive contribution through your presence.

  1. Establish good relations with your host Rotary Club

 .        Meet and cultivate your Rotary Counselor. He/she can open doors for you, solve problems, and contribute to enriching your exchange experience.

a.       Attend as many Rotary meetings and functions as possible or allowed.

b.       Respond positively to invitations to speak to your host Rotary Clubs and other organizations.

c.       Respond positively to invitations from Rotarians.

d.       Make clear your appreciation of their sponsorship.

  1. Understand and appreciate the host country's culture and values.

 .        Learn before you go as much as possible (geography, history, political system, educational system, cultural artifacts and achievements).

a.       Question your hosts on these subjects.

b.       Learn the language, and work as hard as necessary to do so.

c.       Enthusiastically view whatever they want to proudly show you.

d.       Fit in gracefully to adult as well as peer social situations.

  1. Reflect and communicate your country's culture and values.

 .        Learn before you go (as in 4a above).

a.       Answer all questions to the extent you can. Be honest, but not confrontational. Acknowledge deficiencies, but put them in perspective in relation to what has been done, is being done, and what it is possible to hope to achieve.

b.       Show pride in your country, but don't be prideful.

  1. Don't try to convert the natives!

 .        Be a "Good Will" Ambassador. The exchange of ideas and knowledge is encouraged, but your role is not to change their minds or practices (religion, capitalism, social practices, etc.).

  1. Don't make unfavorable comparisons between your country and the host country

 .        Things are merely different ... not better or worse.

  1. Practice the utmost courtesy to everyone

 .        Always ask permission where appropriate; don't assume you have it                                                              

a.       Say "Thank You" and write "Thank You" notes.

b.       Adopt host country social practices.

  1. Be happy with your lot as a Rotary Exchange Ambassador.

 .                     Don't envy other exchange students, who may be better housed, or more entertained, etc. 

a.       Be glad of your own unique experience and the opportunities it presents.

b.       Limit your association with other exchange students.

  1. Say an enthusiastic "Yes" to invitations and opportunities to go places and do things.

 .                     Within, of course, Rotary and host family rules and with necessary permissions.                                                           

13. Can we host an Inbound Student?
 Rotary Clubs are always looking for potential host families. If you'd like to enrich your family's experience by bringing in a Rotary exchange student, contact your local Rotary Club and thanks so much for your interest!
 

14. What are the responsibilities of a Host Family?
 Welcome the exchange student as a new member of your family. The student will be governed not only by the rules of the program but by the rules of your household. You are responsible for the safety of the exchange student, the same as for your own children. Although you might become a bit more of the soccer mom or dad for normal everyday activities, it is not your responsibility to act as a taxi service or a tour guide. Rotarians for the hosting club will be helping in these areas.
 
Select the links below for more information
Join Rotary   Rotary International Web Site   Youth Exchange Program