Explore More

Rotary Youth Exchange 
A Life-Changing Year Abroad

Rotary Youth Exchange gives young people the opportunity to live, learn, and grow in another country while staying connected to the values of family, community, and service.

Students attend local schools, live with host families, and experience everyday life in another culture — supported every step of the way by Rotary.


What Is Rotary Youth Exchange?

Rotary Youth Exchange is an international cultural exchange program for high-school–aged students. Participants spend a full academic year abroad, living with host families and attending local schools.

Throughout the exchange, students are supported by local Rotary clubs, which provide guidance, mentoring, and a strong connection to the community.


Why Families Choose Rotary

Families choose Rotary Youth Exchange because of the program’s strong emphasis on support, safety, and personal growth.

Rotary’s international network ensures students are supported both locally and abroad, with trained volunteers and clear expectations in place.

Many families find that the exchange experience doesn’t just change the student — it has a lasting impact on the entire family.


The Student Experience

During their exchange year, students typically:

• Live with one or more host families
• Attend a local high school
• Learn or improve a second language
• Take part in community and Rotary activities
• Build friendships and connections that last a lifetime


Our Local Connection

Our Rotary club supports both inbound and outbound exchange students.

Local Rotarians serve as mentors and points of contact, helping students feel welcomed, supported, and connected throughout their exchange experience.


Safety & Support

Rotary Youth Exchange places a strong emphasis on student safety and well-being.

Students and host families are supported locally and internationally, with established guidelines and trained volunteers in place.

For detailed information about safety policies and procedures, please refer to the Youth Exchange FAQ.


Next Steps

If you’d like to learn more, the Youth Exchange FAQ provides answers to common questions about eligibility, timelines, and expectations.

If you’re curious and would like to start a conversation, you’re welcome to contact us to learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange.


Search

You can search from anywhere on the site using the search option in the menu.

Entering a term like RYE will show stories, updates, and other pages that mention Youth Exchange — helping you see how this program connects with other Rotary activities.

There’s no single right way to explore. Follow what interests you.