RIBI Youth Exchange Multi-District
Rotary Districts 1010 to 1290

Long Term Exchanges

The goal of Rotary Youth Exchange is to promote the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace at the person to person level.

Introduction...

Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland sponsor students, normally from Yrs 11- 13 (5th & 6th Form), to study at a similar level in a foreign country and live with selected host families for up to twelve months. In return, a student from the "exchange" country is hosted, for a similar period, by the Rotary Club which sponsored the oubound student.

During their stay abroad, students become an integral member of their host families and are treated by host parents exactly as they would treat their own sons or daughters.

A Rotarian from the hosting Rotary Club is appointed as a Mentor and whenever a student has questions or concerns during their exchange year he/she will be there to help.

You or your family may be requested to identify one or more families who would be willing to host the inbound student from abroad. The host family, or families, identified may or may not include your own family, but before being accepted all host families will be interviewed and obligations and expectations will be explained.

You may apply for an exchange at anytime throughout the year. Your local sponsoring Rotary club will normally arrange to interview prospective exchange students and their parents during the winter months. Orientation for your exchange takes place in late March or early April and you will normally travel to your host country in August or September.

There are many young people around the world dreaming of coming to this country. When you choose Rotary Youth Exchange, not only will you be able to fulfil one of your dreams, but you will also enable someone else's dream to come true.

Am I eligible?..

  • You are 15 to 19 years old when school starts abroad

  • Your 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 19, 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 less

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 £100 and help towards some, and quite often all, of this cost may be provided by your local Rotary Club.

The student has to take with them an emergency fund of between 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 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 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! ………………Cool!!

Where can I go?..

Exchange opportunities are available throughout the world. Your preference is accommodated if possible. Dream big! Where will your adventure be?

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)

Are exchanges available in my area?..

Sadly, Rotary may not be able to offer a youth exchange opportunity in your area, on the other hand, we can happily say that youth exchange opportunites are available in a majority of areas.

What's the next step?..

If you live in the UK or Ireland, and are genuinly interested, we need to put you in touch with a Rotary official in your area to help you. Please complete the details below for more information...

You can CLICK HERE to find which countries are specifically looking for an exchange to UK or Ireland.

Please note that you should only complete this form if you are a resident of the UK or Ireland.
If you live outside the UK or Ireland then you must contact Rotary in your own country. If you do not know how to do this please click here to send an e-mail to the Youth Exchange department at the Rotary head office in Chicago and give them your name, city and country of residence. They will be able to send you the name and e-mail address of the Rotary Youth Exchange contact in your country of residence.

Firstname:

Surname:
Date of Birth: Day Month Year

Street Address:

Town/City:

Post Code:

Country:

Telephone Number:

E-Mail Address:

Your Nationality:

Name Of Your School/College:

Which country would you like to exchange with:

How did you hear about Rotary youth exchange:

        

We look forward to hearing from you!!


Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland,
Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6BP