Rotary Youth Exchange

What is Rotary Youth Exchange?

  • Youth Exchange is one of Rotary International’s structured programs designed to help clubs and districts achieve their service goals in their own communities and in communities abroad, fostering fellowship and goodwill in the process.

  • The long-term Youth Exchange program is an exchange program fro high school students, Students travel to other countries to learn about the culture and the language as well as act as a cultural ambassador for their own country.

Youth Exchange Goals:

YOUTH EXCHANGE:

  • Provides young people with the opportunity to experience cultures other that there own.

  • Gives participants a broader view of the world and a deeper understanding of themselves.

  • Develops leadership and communication skills in youth.

  • Advances international understanding and world peace.

Benefits of Rotary Youth Exchange:

  • YOUTH EXCHANGE allows students, host families, and rotary Clubs to:

  • Meet people from other countries and experience their culture first-hand.

  • Gain a better understanding of the basic needs we share and he diversity that makes each culture unique.

  • Engage in new ways that are not traditionally accessible to most people.

Youth Exchange History:

  • The first exchanges began in 1927 involving only European students.

  • Exchanges between California and Latin America countries began in 1939.

  • Activities spread to the Eastern United States in 1958.

  • Youth Exchange became an official program of Rotary International in 1972.

Youth Exchange Facts:

  • More than 8,000 students participate each year from over 60 different countries.

  • 80% of all Rotary Districts participate in the Youth Exchange program.

  • Rotary Youth Exchange is an affordable exchange program.

  • Rotary Youth Exchange is open to children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike.

Youth Exchange Guidelines:

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS MUST BE:

  • Between the ages of 15 and 18 1/2.

  • At the high school or equivalent academic level.

  • Above average academically.

  • Socially ready to handle living abroad for an extended period of time.

Youth Exchange Program Options:

LONG-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM:

  • A long term exchange lasts for an entire academic year. Students stay with 2-3 host families and are required to attend school in their host country.

  • Rotary Club provides inbound students with an allowance of $125 per month.

SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM:

  • A family to family exchange where Rotary matches two families.

  • Normally happens during summer vacation.

  • Duration is agreed between the two families for 3-4 weeks each way.

  • No cost to Rotary Club.

How Youth Exchange Operates:

  • Club committee recruits, screens, and selects students and host families for participation in the program.

  • District youth exchange team supports the clubs and provides training and orientation for inbound and outbound students and organizes all aspects of the exchange.

  • ESSEX (Eastern States Student Exchange) works with their counterparts around the world to coordinate the exchanges.

Club Committee Structure:

  • The Rotary Club’s Youth Exchange Officer is appointed by the club president and is responsible for all aspects of the club’s Youth Exchange Program.

  • Suggested positions for the club Youth Exchange Committee include Youth Exchange Officer, Club Counselor and Public Image Chair.Youth Exchange

District Structure:

District Governors are responsible for appointing a district chair who oversees the appointment of a district committee. in addition the District Governor supports and monitors the program for compliance with Rotary International and US Department of State rules and regulations.

THE DISTRICT 7950 YOUTH EXCHANGE COMMITTEE INCLUDES:

  • Youth Exchange Chair Stephen Albright, PDG

  • Inbound Coordinator Stephen Albright, PDG

  • Outbound Coordinator Jill Albright

  • Short Term Coordinator Jill Albright

  • Youth Protection Officer Stephen White

How To Get Started:

Get involved with Rotary Youth Exchange by:

  • Identifying a Rotary Youth Exchange Officer.

  • Identifying a Club Counselor.

  • Connecting with the high school principal.

  • Recruiting three host families.

Resources:

Additional information is available by clicking on any of the links on the bottom of this page.

Questions and Answers:

Please ask us anything now!

For questions that may arise later, please contact:

Stephen Albright, PDG, Youth Exchange Chair, District 7950

salbri91@aol.com

508-916-1617