What is Rotary Youth Exchange?
Each year, over 8,000 high school students participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program worldwide, learning a new language and experiencing a new culture, through the efforts of Rotary volunteers around the globe. The program began in the 1920s, but took off after World War II.  Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens.
 
What are the benefits?
Exchange students unlock their true potential to:
  • Develop lifelong leadership skills
  • Learn a new language and culture
  • Build lasting friendships with young people from around the world
  • Become a global citizen
 
What are the costs?
Room and board are provided, as well as any school fees. Each program varies, but students and their families are responsible for the following:
  • Round-trip airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel documents (such as passports and visas)
  • Spending money and any additional travel or tours
 
Rotary Youth Exchange Mission
“To work towards peace and understanding in the world.”
 
 
Outbound Student Program
Applications for the 2020/2021 school deadline is November 30, 2019. Student applicants must be 15.5 – 18.5 years at the time of departure.
 
They should be near the top of their class, mature for their age, and have some proven leadership and foreign language acquisition skills. The program is open to all qualified students who reside in District 5170.
 
Students pay a non-refundable application fee of $300.00 to be considered for the program. The application process is highly competitive and only the very best candidates are selected. Applications will be reviewed and interviews are conducted with student applicants and their families on December 8, 2019, Sunday at the district level by trained program volunteers.
 
Successful outbound student candidates will be selected in December and they will learn their assigned exchange country by January 2020. The Rotary Youth Exchange committee will work with partnering countries based on the candidates 3 countries of choice. 
 
From January 2020 through July 2020, the Future Candidate for the Rotary Youth Exchange Class of 2020-2021 will be responsible for the following:
 
  1.  Study their target language
  2. Attend three mandatory Outbound Orientation training sessions
  3. Learn about Rotary and participate in Rotary events.
  4. Future Outbound Candidates who successfully complete their eight-month preparation period and become conversant in their new target language will depart for their Rotary exchange year by mid-to-late August for the next 11 months.
  5. The Outbound Student will live with 2-3 host families, attend high school, participate in Rotary meetings as well as service projects.
  6. Upon their return they will visit Rotary clubs in District 5170 over the next year to make presentations about their experience.
The all-inclusive cost for the program, which is paid by the student and/or his or her family, is approximately $5500.00-$6000.00.
 
For further information, contact:
District 5170 Youth Exchange Chair - Darlene de la Cerna