Are you interested in learning a new language, meeting new people, experiencing a different culture?
The international Rotary Youth Exchange programme provides the opportunity of a lifetime for the more than 8000 students who participate each year. By sharing your own culture and embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding—and learn a great deal about yourself and your host country in the process.
We’d love to hear from you, too, if you’d be keen to explore becoming a Rotary Youth Exchange host family. This is a hugely rewarding experience for adults and children, creating lifelong memories and forging lasting friendships.
What is a Rotary Youth Exchange? (RYE)
RYE is a study-abroad opportunity for young people who spend anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs.
Is an exchange right for me?
Exchanges are designed for teenagers aged between 15 and 19 who:
• Have demonstrated leadership in their school and community
• Are flexible and willing to try new things
• Are open to cultural differences
• Can serve as an ambassador for their own country
• Are flexible and willing to try new things
• Are open to cultural differences
• Can serve as an ambassador for their own country
How much does it cost?
Costs vary from country to country. Local Rotary clubs generously host students and provide room and board with a host family and a small monthly stipend. Participants are generally responsible for:
• Round-trip airfare
• Insurance
• Travel documents (such as passports and visas)
• Spending money, additional travel, and tour fees
How can I apply?
The selection and orientation process can be lengthy, we suggest you apply six-to-12 months before you plan to leave.
Can I host an exchange student?
Hosting an exchange student can be an incredibly rewarding experience for your family, providing an international experience without leaving home. Host families provide room and board and share their lives with exchange students, involving them in family, community, and cultural activities.