District 7430 Youth Exchange - Our Program

Students participating in the Academic Year Rotary Youth Exchange program are sponsored by their local Rotary Club and are HOSTED by a Rotary Club in the country they are visiting. Each hosting club arranges for Host Families, schooling, and provides a "Counselor" for you. The counselor works with you in helping you to adjust to your new home and environment. The counselor is also available throughout the exchange year to provide support and assistance.

Additionally, members of our Committee as well as the sponsoring Rotary Club follow-up with our students periodically throughout the year. Everyone, both those here and abroad, are required to complete quarterly reports and send them to us. Further, Rotarians also keep in contact with your family here in the US. If at any time you encounter difficulty or your parents have concerns, they are encouraged to contact the sponsoring Rotary Club counselor, or a member of our Committee.

Following completion of the Rotary Club and Youth Exchange Committee interviews, usually held in late October through early November, students accepted into the Academic Year exchange begin the "Outbound" orientation and preparation for their year abroad. Over the winter holiday break both "Inbound" and "Outbound" students, their hosts, families and counselors gather for a Holiday Meal. In January, the first formal Orientation session is held which is also attended by current "Inbound" students and former "Outbound" students who assist in sharing "real life" experiences. Then, our ski trip in February and the early spring trip to Washington DC, give you further opportunity to make friends with your fellow "Outbounders" and the current foreign students. Our District's annual conference is usually held in April or May and is another opportunity to spend time with other exchange students as well as with Rotarians and learn something about Rotary. In 2002 and 2004, the conference will be held in Hershey, PA and in 2003, it will be in Reading, PA. In late May, we have our final Orientation Session and then, the "Farewell" picnic in June. Please see our calendar for specific dates and locations of events for this current year.

Rotary's 30+ years of experience in Student Exchanges is reflected in the program we have developed and are still perfecting, as can be seen in the wealth of material we provide. A great deal of information can be downloaded from the Rotary International Youth Exchange web site. You will receive a Youth Exchange Handbook, outline of the Guidelines and Rules of exchanges, as well as a really cool blazer with lots of pins to exchange with other students, even "business cards" to make you feel important.