District 7430 Youth Exchange - For Prospective Students

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 7430 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 orientations 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 country to which s/he is going, fluency is not always a requirement. Students are encouraged to enroll in an introductory language course prior to departure if not taking that language in school. 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 18.5 years of at he the time of departure. Some countries have narrowed these requirements. See Countries page for age requirements.
Students must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school at the time of application
Student must demonstrate scholastic competence and be involve 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 the cost of a roundtrip transportation.
Pay the cost of administration fee (which includes orientation material, mandatory insurance, orientation weekends, blazer, business cards, etc.)
Pay the cost of passport, visa or residency permit, inoculations, gifts, local travel, personal items.
Pay the cost of host country language camp. (Not all countries have one)
Assist the sponsoring Rotary Club in securing host families for the inbound student the club will be hosting while their child is overseas.

Sponsoring Rotary Club (sending student) will:

Interview and recommend applicants for the Youth Exchange Program.
Agree to host an inbound student for each student sponsored.

Host Rotary Club 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 years education in a high school.
Be responsible for the physical well-being of the student.
Supervising the students activities, opportunities and experiences.