Local Rotary Clubs select grade 11 & 12 students from their communities to send to another country. These students gain an understanding of communities in other countries and also act as an ambassador for their own community.
Students typically spend their year divided between two-three host families. They attend school in Nanaimo to meet other teenagers and attend many Rotary functions both in and out of town. They are required to give talks at these and other functions, usually about their home town. Exchange students are considered the responsibility of all club members and as such generally are exposed to a wide variety of activities during their stay.