Are you interested in learning a new language or meeting new people? Rotary Youth Exchange is the opportunity of a lifetime for the more than 8,000 students who participate each year. By sharing your own culture and embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding—and learn a great deal about yourself and your home country in the process.
What Is A Rotary Youth Exchange?
Youth Exchange is a study-abroad opportunity for young people who spend anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs.
What types of exchanges are available?
joi can be short term or long term.
Short-term exchanges last from a few days to several months and often take place when school is not in session. Students typically stay with a local family in the host country, but they might also attend a youth camp or tour the country with students from around the world.
During a long-term exchange, students spend a year in another country living with different host families and attending classes at the local school.
Exchanges vary widely among districts, so contact your district’s Youth Exchange chair to learn what’s available in your area.
Is An Exchange Right For Me?
Exchanges are for people ages 15–19 who:
- Have demonstrated leadership in their school and community
- Are flexible and willing to try new things
- Are open to cultural differences
- Can serve as an ambassador for their own country
How Much Does It Cost?
Costs vary from country to country. Local Rotary clubs generously host students and provide room and board with a host family and a small monthly stipend. Participants are generally responsible for:
- Round-trip airfare
- Insurance
- Travel documents (such as passports and visas)
- Spending money, additional travel, and tour fees
How Can I Apply?
Contact your local Rotary club to see if it participates and to learn more about the types of programs offered, and specific application process required. Because the selection and orientation process can be lengthy, we suggest you apply 6–12 months before you plan to leave.