Rotary Youth Exchange
August 2025
The following information is intended to answer questions students and parents may have about Rotary Youth Exchange. You are encouraged to connect with our Youth Exchange Officer if you are interested in participating in Rotary Youth Exchange or require more information. Please note: This information is current as per the above date. Changes may have occurred since.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE:
What is Rotary?
Rotary is a global service organization with over 1.4 million members worldwide, founded in 1905. Membership in Rotary is open to anyone. We are not a secret club. We have no religious affiliation. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self.” Rotary’s flagship focus is the global eradication of polio. Youth Exchange is one of many projects conducted by Rotary. The Rotary Club of St. Marys is part of Rotary District 6330. Rotary District 6330 is a member of multi-district Central States Rotary Youth Exchange (CSRYE).
What is Rotary Youth Exchange?
Rotary Youth Exchange is a cultural exchange first and foremost. It is an educational exchange second. The goal of Rotary Youth Exchange is to build peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, make lifelong friends, and truly become global citizens. You will live in the same community and attend the same school for an academic year. (10.5 months on average) During this time you will typically live with 3 host families. You must attend school.
Who Can Participate in Rotary Youth Exchange?
Rotary Youth Exchange is open to students who will be between the ages of 15.5 and 18.5 when they start their exchange. Candidates should be of good character, with a warm personality, and have average to above-average academic performance. You must not have graduated high school before starting your exchange. You must also be willing to comply with the vaccination requirements of the country you exchange to. Candidates should be adaptable and flexible, well-mannered, and want to learn about other countries and cultures. Children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians are eligible and encouraged to apply.
How is Rotary Youth Exchange better/different from other programs?
The Rotary International Exchange Program is volunteer-driven. It is organized and administered by volunteer Rotarians and their families throughout the world within the local Rotary club, the district, and the region. Rotary volunteers screen student applicants, select the exchange students, prepare them, and arrange hosting abroad, travel, insurance, school admission, visas, etc. All of this is done by Rotarians as an unpaid service.
Because we depend solely on volunteers (i.e., no one involved is paid, including Rotarians and host families), the Rotary Program is one of the least expensive, safest, and highest quality programs. Students are provided local supervision by members of the local hosting Rotary club, who are directly involved in the welfare of these students. Because of this close connection with local Rotarians, students on exchange and their families are more comfortable knowing that Rotarians from their host club are available to help and offer guidance. Students often attend Rotary Club meetings and get to know Rotarians, who are generally the local business and professional leaders of that community. Sometimes these connections benefit students later in life in their academic, business, or professional lives.
Because we depend solely on volunteers (i.e., no one involved is paid, including Rotarians and host families), the Rotary Program is one of the least expensive, safest, and highest quality programs. Students are provided local supervision by members of the local hosting Rotary club, who are directly involved in the welfare of these students. Because of this close connection with local Rotarians, students on exchange and their families are more comfortable knowing that Rotarians from their host club are available to help and offer guidance. Students often attend Rotary Club meetings and get to know Rotarians, who are generally the local business and professional leaders of that community. Sometimes these connections benefit students later in life in their academic, business, or professional lives.
How will I benefit from being abroad?
Living in a foreign country has a powerful effect on your maturing process. Managing your own finances and making decisions gives you more confidence and independence. You learn to think and converse fluently in another language. You develop more confidence in speaking before groups. You become more tolerant of other people, different cultures, and different personalities. Your youth exchange experience will be priceless, something that you can’t replicate any other way. Challenge yourself! You might very well have “the best year of your life.”
Which countries can I go to?
There are approximately 40 countries to choose from, including countries in South America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Generally, the younger you are when you apply, the more countries you will have to choose from. As you approach 18.5 the number of countries available to you will diminish.
Am I guaranteed a specific country for my exchange?
Students rank their preferred countries on their application but are not guaranteed a particular country or region. We are looking for students who are excited to experience living abroad and learning a new language and culture, not a specific country, language, and culture.
Do I have to know or be fluent in the host country's language before I go?
While you don't have to be fluent in the host country's language before you arrive, we do assign language homework and practice at conferences, which you are expected to complete. The expectation is that you'll have some language ability when you arrive in your host country. Knowing as much as possible of the language upon arrival in your host country is very beneficial, so we encourage you to study as much of the language as possible before you begin your exchange.
Am I allowed to travel while on exchange?
While this is not a tourist program, travel is sometimes available with the host families and members of Rotary Clubs. Also, Rotary-approved group tours may be arranged by Rotary. These are generally at the student’s expense. You may not travel alone or without the permission of your host District.
How long is the exchange?
Your exchange will be approximately 10.5 months (an academic year). Most students leave in July/August and return the following late-June or early-July. We do not offer shorter exchanges.
How are host families selected?
To ensure the safety of our students, every host family in the Rotary Youth Exchange program must undergo screening and training that includes an interview with the local Rotary Club, reference checks, and completion of online training.
If our daughter or son goes on exchange, are we, as parents, required to host a student?
If our daughter or son goes on exchange, are we, as parents, required to host a student?
No. You are welcome to apply to host a student, but it is not a requirement.
How much does the program cost?
In District 6330, the fee is $8500 CAD. The fee is not due all at once. (50% in November, 50% in April) Keep in mind, the fee is for a 10.5 month experience. (We have seen one-week March Break excursions that cost over $5000.) The fee works out to about $26.60 CAD per day on exchange. This fee includes the following costs:
- Interview and training conferences (accommodation, meals, and materials)
- Flights to the student's host country and back home at the end of their exchange
- Health insurance while the student is on exchange
- Rotary blazer and t-shirt for the student
- CSRYE administrative fee
- District 6330 RYE Committee operating expenses
- A small monthly stipend while the student is on exchange (approximately equivalent to the buying power of $100 USD)
- Room and board while on exchange (provided by the host family)
The fee does not include:
- Fees charged by your own family doctor, dentist, etc. for exams, forms, letters
- Costs and fees for passports, visas and related travel, couriers, documents, certificates, etc.
- Student and parents travel to and from training conferences (we encourage and facilitate ride-sharing)
- Student and parents travel to and from airports, parking, etc. at beginning and end of the exchange.
- Late or cancellation fees or fines charged by CSRYE, travel (e.g., change dates/early return), insurance agencies, etc.
- Language camp fees and/or school uniforms as might be required in some countries
- Students' extra excursions, trips, and tours in host country while on exchange
- Students' casual spending (including cell phone plans) while on exchange
Are there scholarships/financial aid available to help with the cost?
Yes! We have two scholarships in District 6330 that students can apply for to help with the costs of the exchange: the District 6330 Rotary Youth Exchange 50th Anniversary Scholarship, and the Bob Shoemaker Scholarship.
Can I get high school credits for my time on exchange?
Some high schools will give you credits for the classes you take while on exchange. However, it depends on your school system and the foreign school. To get credit, you'll need to make arrangements with your school before you begin your exchange.
Are there any program rules?
Although Rotary International provides certification and guidelines to local Rotary Youth Exchange programs, Rotary districts and clubs will have their own additional, specific rules for students to follow based on the local customs and culture. Students accepted into the program sign and agree to abide by a list of program rules at the time of application and prior to their departure from home. While the hosting Rotary Club will discuss all program rules with you, you and your parents may wish to review the program rules on your application form to be sure that everyone has a clear understanding of what is expected. Basic program rules consist of common-sense stipulations, such as no drinking, no use of drugs, no driving of any type of motorized vehicle, and, especially important, the need to obtain special permission for travel while on the exchange.
What's the process to apply for Rotary Youth Exchange?
Exchanges typically begin in July or August. You need to apply a year before you want to go on exchange.
- Complete our Preliminary Application.
- Your local Rotary Club will interview you.
- September - October: If the local Rotary Club decides to sponsor you, you'll then begin working on the CSRYE Application. This is a lengthy, in-depth application that requires a lot of information and signatures that will require dedication, attention to detail, and organization on your part (we're sending you away without your family for a year, so we need to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed!).
- November: Attend the District Interview Conference where a panel of Rotarians and past exchange students will interview you and your parents/guardians to make sure the Rotary Youth Program is a good fit.
- Early January: Find out which country you've been assigned to!
- January - July: Attend three weekend-long, in-person training conferences, as well as monthly online training sessions.
- July/August: Leave for your exchange year!