Why become an exchange student?

Long Term Exchange Program

As a long-term outbound student, you will spend a full academic year with two or more host families in a foreign country.  You attend school just like the teens of your host country.  While you are there, host parents become your parents—they not only provide room and meals, they provide support and guidance.  While you’re abroad, host Rotary Clubs also provide assistance, including a monthly allowance and opportunities to meet other Youth Exchange students, make new friends, and see new things.

The objective of the long-term exchange program is to foster world peace, international understanding and good will by extending international communication at the personal level through the exchange of students of high school age.  It is our hope that these students will be able to see firsthand the problems and accomplishments of other peoples of different colors, creeds, and cultures.

Once you return with your increased confidence and new language skills, you’ll want to include your exchange experience on resumes and university applications.  Most colleges and universities look for unique growth experiences like the Rotary Youth Exchange.  They know that living in another culture and learning another language shows perseverance, flexibility and maturity.

But most important, you’ll want to share your exchange experiences with family, friends, Rotary, school, church and your community.

If you’re interested in this once in a lifetime adventure, you should:

1. explore the information on this website
2. contact a Rotarian in your community
3. email or call a local representative of the Rotary youth exchange program (click here to find your rotary district),
4. complete an inquiry form, or
5. email

Your high school counselor may be able to help you make contact with your local Rotary club if needed.