FAQs

Am I eligible?

• You are over 16 and no more than 18 years and six months when school abroad starts
• Your own school will recommend you to take part in the programme
• You are capable of acting as an Ambassador for your country, your family and for Rotary

I'm older than 18, what about me?
Some countries are prepared to offer vocational rather than academic programmes but you will have to accept that your choice of countries will be reduced. Please visit our section on New Generation Exchanges

How much does it cost?
You pay the fare to your destination country and the cost of an insurance policy agreeable to the destination Rotary district. Rotary can often give leads as to charities or other organisations who may offer financial assistance towards the cost of travel.

Any return air ticket has to be open ended in case of an early return, for whatever reason, and this will be more expensive than a normal ticket.

In addition you will require a Rotary blazer, business cards, and pin badges to exchange with others. Along with the cost of the compulsory orientation this should not be more than £250 and help towards some of this cost may be provided by your local Rotary Club.

Each student has to take with them an emergency fund of between the equivalent US$200 and US$500 depending upon the requirements of the programme in the country to which they are going. This fund will be held by their host Rotary Club and, if not used for emergency purposes, returned to them at the end of their time abroad.

The host Rotary Club in your destination country provides you with up to four carefully selected host families, free meals and accommodation, free tuition, and a monthly allowance, which varies from the equivalent of US$50 to US$100, depending on the country.

You pay for your passport, a visa if necessary, and you take some spending money with you.
From your parents' perspective, it can be less expensive for you to go abroad than to stay home!

Where can I go?
Exchange opportunities are available throughout the world. A list of countries which Rotary have certified to take part in the programmes can be viewed here. You are asked to choose three countries. Your preferences are taken into account during the selection process but it is not guaranteed that you will be placed in any of your chosen countries. It is very rare for exchange students who miss out on their country choices not to enjoy their year in the country where they are placed.

What is Rotary Certification?
Rotary International have established standards to ensure the health, welfare and general protection of our students wherever they are during their year of study. Every country is split into Rotary Districts and those Districts taking part in the Youth Exchange programmes must submit their procedures for approval by Rotary International. If it is agreed that these procedures meet or are of a higher standard than the requirement the District is granted certification to take part in the Youth exchange programmes. Rotary International carries out regular audits to ensure Districts continued compliance.

What's in it for me?
Rotary Youth Exchanges offer you adventure and new experiences, submerse you in new cultures, help you to learn a new language, make new international friends, help build character and improve your confidence and maturity. Taking part also adds a competitive edge for future university and job applications and gives you generally broader view of the world and it peoples.

Do you have a Brochure?
Youth Exchange - Making a World of Difference
(this is a PDF file and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it)

Can you guarantee me a place?
Sadly, no. Students have to be sponsored by a Rotary Club local to where they live and not all Rotary Clubs take part in the Youth Exchange programmes. In addition placements in our partner countries are limited and so applicants for the available places will be selected on the basis of their ability to be a good ambassador for their family, their school, their country and for Rotary.

What's the next step?
If you live in the UK or Ireland, and are genuinely interested, we need to put you in touch with a Rotary official in your area to help you. In the first instance please complete the online application form

If you have any further queries please email enquiries@youthribi.org