THREE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time.
Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens.
Exchanges for students ages 15-18.5 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.
Short Term Exchange    Long Term Exchange   Hosting a Student
1. The Summer Program (Short-Term Exchange – STEP)
JULY – AUGUST (1 month here – 1 month overseas) Selected High School students live overseas with a foreign student’s family for approximately one month, and then return with the foreign student to live with his/her family here for approximately one month. Some areas reverse this by having the foreign student come here first, then both going overseas for the second half. The age requirement range is more open than the LTEP program. Check with your Rotary Club to check age limits. The list of countries in this program changes from time to time; most are in Europe with a few in South America. The estimated family budget for an outbound student for a summer exchange is approximately $2000 – $3500.
- 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 educational experiences through exposure to a new language and culture. Naturally, the friendships that develop often last a long time, with repeat visits 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.
2. The Year-Long Program (Long-Term Exchange – LTEP)Â
Selected High School students leave in August for a year’s study at a high school in a foreign country. Each student will live with one or more families during the year. The students will return home the following summer. Age requirement for the year-long, or LTEP, exchange program has a two-year window, the year you leave on the exchange you must be at least 16 years old by August 16 and not older than 18 by August 15. Average expected expenses are between $5000 and $6500.
- 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 three (or more) host families throughout the year, to broaden the experience and see the variations that exist in all cultures.
- It takes a very special teen to consider themselves capable of spending a year abroad, but the rewards and experiences are unlike anything you may ever know again. If you think you can do this, don’t let the opportunity pass you by.
- Long-term exchanges last a full academic year, and students attend local schools and live with multiple host families.
3. Host An Inbound Exchange Student For Three Months
During the year an Inbound Foreign Student attends High School. They live with 2- 3 families for approximately 3 to 5 months each. Host families normally live in the High School district to minimize transportation problems. The host families provide room and board for the inbound student. The inbound students receive a monthly allowance from the Local Rotary Club for incidental expenses.