What is it?

Rotary Youth Exchange is a 12 month program which provides secondary school students with the opportunity to travel abroad, live with 3-4 host families, and experience life first hand in a different country, school, and social environment. Exchange students will gain lifelong advantages through an expanded world view and greater appreciation of the world.  Students will be sponsored by an Australian Rotary Club and hosted by a Rotary Club abroad.

Where can I go?

Please refer to the separate page of prior Outbound Rotary Exchange Students for examples of where exchange students have visited. There is no guarantee that an exchange will be in your chosen country – it is at the discretion of the District Committee.

Who can apply?

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is open to secondary school students who are in good health and aged between 15 and under 18 on departure. You must be an Australian citizen to participate in the program. Ideally you will be an enthusiastic outgoing individual who can capably act as a good ambassador for Australia within the international environment, capable of adjusting to new and strange conditions. Participants are selected solely on merit; sons and daughters of Rotarians are eligible to participate but receive no special preference in selection.  Students going abroad (and their parents) are required to sign a Guarantee form and a Code of Conduct to accept the conditions of the Exchange.

When?

Students participating in the program will depart in January and return in January of the following year. Applications close in March each year for exchange in the following year. This date changes from year to year and even if you think you may be late, it’s worth enquiring. Interviews are held by the local Rotary Club in April and by the District Committee in May. Successful applicants and their parents attend briefing sessions usually held in August and December.

How much?

The total cost of your Exchange varies depending on the country of Exchange, your departure location and your personal budget.

The cost of a Rotary Exchange also varies between each District (see to the right) around Australia. To get a more detailed idea of the costs of an Exchange from your local Rotary District, use the District locator to the right. Some Districts offer a package price for many of the obligatory cost items.

Below is a broad outline of costs, to give you a general idea.

The student’s natural parents or guardian provide for all of the following costs:

• An administration fee
• Return airfare, as arranged by Rotary, to the country of exchange
• Personal insurance, as defined by Rotary International
• Internal travel in overseas country including Rotary organised tours
• Day to day living expenses of the student, postage, phone calls, personal items, clothing, footwear etc.
• A small emergency fund (redeemable at conclusion of exchange, if unused)

Rotary provides:

• Rotary approved host families who provide a family environment for the student
• Schooling and the payment of normal school fees and expenses
• A monthly allowance of approximately US$100 to the student
• A student counselor, both here and in the host country
• Back up support and counseling for the family of the student

Amounts vary but we suggest you allow approximately $5,000 to $10,000 for additional expenses throughout the year.

Naturally, you have to consider these amounts against what it normally costs to keep you for 12 months living at home.

How do I apply?

Please contact the Rotary Club of Port Lincoln if you live in the Lower Eyre Peninsula Area.

More comprehensive information about Rotary Youth Exchange is available at https://ryea.org.au/