Rotary Student Exchange

Our Commitment to Youth
 
Rotary Youth Exchange promotes the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace at the person-to-person level and is for high school aged students, aged 16-18, interested in:
  • Long-term Exchange Program - Live and study abroad for one year. Learn more by clicking here.
  • Short-term Summer Exchange Program – Be paired with another teen in the northern hemisphere, staying in his/her home for up to a month and bringing that student to the US to stay with your family. Learn more by clicking here.
Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and maybe even a new language. You’ll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process.

Long Term Exchange

Qualifications
  • Above-average student at Moline High with demonstrated leadership in the community
  • Open to new experiences and cultural differences
  • Moline Club sends only one or two long-term teen ambassadors each year. The selection process involves a written application and in-person interviews.

Cost The selected students and their parents cover the following expenses:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • Passport
  • Clothing and other necessities
  • Emergency funds for unpredicted expenses
  • Ancillary travel and tours while abroad
The Moline Club pays the placement and insurance fees, so those with financial constraints can share the exchange experience. Sharing in the costs are host families (who pay for room and board), the host community (who cover school tuition and arrangements) and host Rotary club (who offer a small stipend of usually US$50-100 monthly.)

Applying to become a Moline Rotary Exchange Student

If you will be a sophomore or junior at Moline High next year and are in the top 50% of your class, contact Moline Rotary (Pattifranklin@mchsi.com or 563/359-6612) no later than August 1. no later than August 1. You and your parents will be invited to an informational meeting in August. If you decide to apply, you will be interviewed by Moline Club Youth Exchange Committee in September. If selected, you will submit a written application and be interviewed again at the Rotary district level. Prior to leaving in July or August, you and your parents will prepare for your year abroad with the help of Rotary volunteers.

Short Term Summer Exchange

Students selected by Moline Rotary choose five countries in the northern hemisphere that they would like to visit. Rotary works with clubs in those countries to find a student “match.” Students are matched with those of the same gender. Once matched, the two families determine the three or four weeks during which the American student will stay with the matched teen and family abroad and which weeks the foreign student will spend with the American teen and family. Qualifying for Short Term Exchange
  • Above-average student at Moline High with demonstrated leadership in the community
  • Open to new experiences and cultural differences
  • Moline Club sends only one or two short-term teen ambassadors each year. The selection process involves a written application and in-person interviews.

Cost The selected students and their parents cover the following expenses:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • Health and accident insurance
  • Passport
  • Clothing and other necessities
  • Spending money
  • Emergency funds for unpredicted expenses
  • Ancillary travel and tours while abroad
  • Hosting the student from abroad who visits your family.
The Moline Club pays the placement fee, so those with financial constraints can share the exchange experience. Sharing in the costs are host families (who pay for room and board).

I’m interested. How do I apply?

If you will be a sophomore or junior at Moline High next year and are in the top 50% of your class, contact Moline Rotary (Pattifranklin@mchsi.com or 563/359-6612) no later than August 1. You and your parents will be invited to an informational meeting in August. If you decide to apply, you will be interviewed by Moline Club Youth Exchange Committee in September. One or two students are selected for short-term exchange. If selected, you will submit a written application and prepare for your exchange during the academic year with the help of Rotary members.

Host families

Host Families are needed to host students from other countries in the Long Term Exchange Program.  By hosting a Youth Exchange student in your home for two to four months, you’ll make a young person’s dream come true, and you and your family will share an unforgettable and fulfilling experience. As a host family, you will
  • Provide room and board
  • Supervise the student just as you would your own children
  • Involve the student in family activities and chores
  • Enrich the exchange experience by including the student in family, community, and cultural activities
Rotary host families aren’t compensated financially. The program is run entirely by dedicated volunteers, which helps keep costs low.