District 6440
Youth Exchange

 
  
 
Recruitment for the 2023 Short-term Summer and 2023-24 Long-term High School abroad program is now completed.  Clubs can still sign up for hosting a student during the 2023-24 year.
 
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN YOUR FUTURE.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING THE WORLD YOUR HOME FOR 2024-25 YEAR FOR THE 2024 SUMMER, LONG-TERM HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, OR HOSTING A STUDENT IN YOUR HOME FOR A FEW MONTHS - PLEASE CONTACT US! 
 
Contact your local Rotary Club or District RYE (at rye.chair@rotary6440.org) for information on how to apply and plan for the following year. 
 

Make the world your home.   About Rotary Youth Exchange:

What an exciting adventure awaits as you, a potential Rotary Exchange student or program volunteer, look to expand your horizons as they've never been expanded before. Take the first step toward one of the most amazing, memorable, adventurous experiences of your life.  Join the thousand of teens around the globe that participate in Rotary Youth Exchanqe programs. 

Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, District 6440 paused the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program for the 2020-23 years.   Please know that we will only provide exchanges if the District 6440 leaders and RYE team are comfortable and confident in accessible healthcare, normal travel industry, governments timely process of visas, and schools providing in-person learning.  
 
 
 
 
 
Make the World Your Home...
 
As a Long-term Rotary Youth Exchange student, you will attend High School on a cultural exchange and live with several host families in a country other than your own. Not only will you learn a new language; you will learn a new way of living - and a great deal about yourself. But there's more. While you're busy learning, the people you meet will be learning too - about your country, your culture, and your ideas. You will be a young ambassador. You will be helping to bring the world closer together - and you'll be making some good friends in the process. Explore our Frequently Ask Question brochure & apply if you're ready for the challenge - and the rewards - of living in another land as an exchange student.

As Host family members and Rotary volunteers you can learn about the student's country, culture, and ideas. Youth exchange students are true ambassadors, helping to bring the world closer together and making good friends in the process.   Please join us in this effort.  See Call for Volunteer presentation about how you can help. 

Not sure that a year away is for you?  The Short-term Youth Exchange program may be the answer.  Spend the summer with a student from another country.  Live abroad for at least three weeks (usually during the summer) with a family including the teenager you have been matched with (your exchange twin)  and then be the host for at least three weeks in your home and with your family and friends. This program is beyond a vacation and created family bonds. 
 
Eligibility:

Rotary Youth Exchange programs are open to current high school students.  The year you leave on exchange you must be between 15 1/2  - 18 1/2 years old by August 01. Students graduating High School can participate in the exchange program as a gap year with understanding they are attending High School in another country.  To qualify, applicants should be above-average students who have demonstrated leadership in their community. Qualified candidates possess qualities such as flexibility and a willingness to try new things that will enable them to fully experience life in another country and become excellent cultural ambassadors. All applicants must be sponsored by a local Rotary club and complete a written application and in person interview.

Timeline:

Local Rotary Clubs sponsor students exchange.   You might see posters in the schools, presentations, and/or  information sessions in late September or early October for interested students and parents.  Club initially interviewed the family.  Candidates that meet club sponsorship then complete a full application with candidate selection for the Long-term exchange program is usually made in mid-November.   The Short-term reciprocal summer program full applications are due after the winter break with candidate selection in January. 

 

Finances:  Rotary volunteers administer the program and thus keeps program expenses lower than other comparable exchange programs. 

 
In the Long-term program, Rotary Clubs in the host country are responsible for school tuition, accommodation and food, and a modest monthly allowance (generally around $75 / month). Students and their parents (or guardians) are expected to cover typical average of $6500-$7300 expenses which include:
  • Non-refundable $850 application fees are collected with the full applications to help offset administration costs.  
  • Additional $2200 is collected in the spring to cover training events, registering with the travel agency, and obtaining travel insurance through Rotary which includes medical, accident, and illness coverage and meets the requirements of the host and sponsor clubs and districts.
  • Round-trip airfare coordinated by designated travel agency.
  • All travel documents, such as passports and student visas 
  • Spending money (over and above the monthly allowance provided by the host Rotary club) and ancillary travel.
  • Countries hosting a long-term student might also require a language camp or other cultural orientation sessions.  Students are given access to online language program for basic conversations. 
  • $500 emergency fund for unexpected expenses during the year.
  • Optional tours beyond the estimate above.  Typical end of year tours are about $2000.
  • Financial scholarships are sometimes available.  Inquire if needed. 
 
The Short-term program is a fraction of the cost of the Long-term program with the following: 
  • Non-refundable $150 application fees are collected with the full applications to cover administration costs.
  • Airfare - purchased by family
  • Travel insurance through Rotary which includes medical, accident, and illness coverage and meets the requirements of the host and sponsor clubs and districts.
  • All travel documents, such as passports and tourist visas (if needed) 
  • Spending money for ancillary travel or purchases
  • Costs incurred while hosting your twin for a few weeks. 
Countries:

For the Long-term program, District 6440 is a member of the Central State Rotary Youth Exchange  (CSRYE), a multi-district collective that works with other Rotary Districts to match students from around the world.  The countries we offer have been chosen for their stability and degree of concern about the welfare and safety of our students abroad.  Candidates will select up to six of the forty countries for a possible exchange.  Matches are normally communicated in January. 

 
For the Short-term program, District 6440 makes the match connections, mostly in Europe due to closer alignment of the school summer break schedules.  Students have also been successfully matched to other countries like Taiwan.
 
Interested In Applying?
Rotary Youth Exchanges are administered locally by volunteers, and all applicants must be sponsored by a local Rotary club and
District 6440. The first step is to apply with a District 6440 Rotary club. If you do not know your local Rotary club, please contact us to make the connection (RYE.Chair.Rotart5440.org).  Once you locate a participating club near you, then complete a preliminary application for a club interview. If selected you be asked to complete an electronic full application and will move onto District 6440 interviews typically conducted in the November time period.  Your local club will help guide you through the process.   Recruitment for the programs will start in the Fall 2023 for the 2024 Summer or 2024-25 school year.  
 
Have additional questions?
Please contact District 6440 Rotary Youth Exchange to find your club or with any questions: 
 

Other items to note:

District 6440 is part of the twenty Districts forming Central States Rotary Youth Exchange (CSRYE) which is a collective working together to support and facilitate exchange and expanding opportunities for our participants.
Rotary understands the importance in managing relationships with our youth.  Volunteers undergo reference and criminal background checks and complete training that includes Youth Protection and understanding the Department of State rules for exchange.  Should you have any specific question about Youth Protection please contact us or our expert  Wendy Morgan-Adams

RYE 6440
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