Rotary Youth Exchange A to Z || FAQ || Is it Safe?

 

Congratulations on your interest in becoming a Rotary Youth Exchange Student! You will join thousands of young people every year who set off on what almost every one of them defines as "The BEST year of my life!"

As a Rotary Exchange Student, you will live overseas with one to four host families, attend a local school, and immerse yourself in a totally new culture. You will probably learn a new language, and make life-long friends across the world. It won’t be easy! Every day you will be faced with new challenges that will test your limits and at the same time expand your horizons. But you will learn and grow from these challenges and they will dramatically transform your life.

Linda, a student from Wolfurt Austria in 2009-2010 had this to say: "I can’t believe that 3 months passed by since I’ve written my last journal. Those 3 months were probably the hardest and at the same time most wonderful 3 months of my whole life. I’ve experienced the institution 'family' more than ever, appreciated Rotary in a way different than normal and learned to know what it means to me to have real friends and people who care."

Every student's experience is unique but the one common theme seen in all successful students is that their year abroad profoundly impacts them. In many cases it defines their lives forever, like it did with Mike, a student from Ithaca, NY, who went to Coimbatore, India, in 1995. After his exchange year Mike went on to college, then joined the US Department of State. He has served with the DOS in Nigeria, Iraq, and Egypt.

Rotary International is the world's oldest and most international service organization, with over 1.2 million members in 32,000 clubs in almost 200 countries. The official Rotary motto is, "Service Above Self", and Rotarians live their lives in accordance with the Four Way Test. You can find out more about our wonderful organization and its many programs and projects by visiting the Rotary International website.

Each year, over 8,000 high school students participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program worldwide, learning a new language and experiencing a new culture, through the efforts of Rotary volunteers around the globe. The Youth Exchange (YE) programs in New York are growing, through the efforts of the newly energized multi-district organization.

As you explore this website, you will find much information on District 7170's YE program. District 7170 has built a dynamic, highly respected Youth Exchange program, and was honored as the Outstanding Rotary Youth Exchange District in the US and Canada for 2010! That same excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence is now spreading throughout New York State.

To learn about program options, requirements, costs, and more, visit our Rotary Youth Exchange A to Z page. If you think you might want to be a Rotary exchange student, this page would be a good place to start with our How to Apply page. Or complete our Contact Us page and a representative of Rotary Youth Exchange in your area will contact you.