How do I get selected?

The Evaluation Process

A Youth Exchange applicant who is successful in being selected by the Rotary club, and who is then further interviewed and selected by the Rotary District 5930 Youth Exchange Committee, will have the opportunity for this overseas experience. The applicant may be male or female. There is no requirement that he or she must be from a Rotary family.

Students applying should be prepared to tell about their participation in school and other activities. During their interview, applicants will discuss their knowledge of their community, state and nation, world problems and affairs, and their spirit of helpfulness in the community and home. Both parents must be present at each interview session and, if selected, subsequent orientation sessions. (In one-parent families, only the parent with whom the candidate lives is required to attend.)

Though it is preferred that the student going abroad has studied the language of the host country, fluency is not always a requirement. Students are encouraged to enroll in an introductory language course prior to departure. During the orientation period, every effort will be made to prepare the student for living abroad. While overseas, the student will live in Rotary-approved homes and will become a member of the host family.

Object of the Program
• Further international understanding and goodwill.
• Learn and adapt to another culture, while sharing your own.

Qualifications of Applicants
• At least 15 years of age and not over 19 years at the time of departure.  (Most receiving countries require  that students are no older than 18 years 6 months.) See Countries page for exact age requirements.
• Student must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school at time of application.
• Student must demonstrate scholastic competence and be involved in extra-curricular activities.

The Selected Student Will:
• Attend high school in their host country.
• Act as a student ambassador, sharing customs and adapting to the host country's culture.
• Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible throughout the exchange process.
• Follow the rules, regulations and counseling of the sponsoring and host Rotary clubs and Rotary districts. Rules will be discussed at orientation sessions prior to departure.

The Parents of the Selected Student Will:
• Pay cost of participation fee (which includes airfare, orientation materials, basic insurance, blazer, etc.)
• Pay costs of passport, visa or residency permit, inoculations, gifts, local travel, personal items.
• Abide by the rules and decisions as set forth by the Rotary International Youth Exchange Committee here and in the host country.

Sponsor Rotary Club (sending student) Will:
• Interview and recommend applicants for the Youth Exchange Program.

Rotary Club in Host Country Will:
• Correspond with student prior to arrival, giving pertinent data of the host city and family.
• Meet and transport the student from point of arrival to host family.
• Furnish one year's education in a high school.
• Be responsible for the physical well-being of the student.
• Supervise the student's activities, opportunities and experiences.

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