How much does the Long-Term Exchange program cost the student?

The student's family will pay a Flat Fee of $3,500 to the Youth Exchange program. This will cover the AIRFARE, the mandatory INSURANCE, and where applicable, any MANDATORY LANGUAGE CAMP. The family will also be responsible for the Passport, Visa and a $300-$500 'emergency fund'. The emergency fund is returned at the end of the exchange if not used. In addition, there are usually tour trips planned in the host country. These are OPTIONAL, and paid for by the student if they choose to participate.

How much does Long-Term Exchange cost the club?

The District charges a total of $1,300 or $650 for each student (this covers supplies and orientations). In addition the hosting club must pay the inbound student a monthly stipend of at least $125-$150 and include them in weekly Rotary Club meetings and activities. You will also want to budget enough for an appropriate Christmas and birthday gift.

I have friend in Brazil, can he sponsor his son to come here as a Rotary Exchange?

NO. A Rotary Exchange must be sponsored by a Rotary organization. We do not facilitate private exchanges. Tell your friend to go through Rotary in Brazil.

If we send a student do we have to host one too?

Yes, for every student we send to a foreign country, we must receive and host one here.

Questions about Host Families

Can the Counselor also be a host parent?

NO! It's important that the Counselor be an impartial liaison for the student with the Rotary Club and the host families. The Counselor makes sure any conflicts get resolved and takes the student's part when there are problems.

Do the host families have to be Rotarians?

NO! In fact, we encourage clubs to look for suitable host families in all parts of your community. The natural parents of past exchange students, extended family members, interested friends from schools and churches are all great resources. This is a great way to let others know what Rotary does.

How do we screen host families?

Each host family should complete the application found in downloads. It is also important that the family be known by Rotary club members. As required by law, we also perform a background check. Please contact your Club Youth Exchange Officer for the necessary forms and details, or download the Long Form Affidavit form from the Forms and Links section and give it to the Club YEO once completed.

How many host families do we need to find?

We recommend a minimum of 2 and no more than 4 host families; about 3 months per family. This gives the student the opportunity for a variety of experiences.

The student should not change schools during the exchange year.

Questions about Students

Can the child of a Rotarian go on exchange?

Yes! This is one of the few Rotary sponsored programs that is open to the immediate family members of Rotarians. Rotary family members can be great Rotary ambassadors.

How old do students have to be?

Outbound Students must be between the ages of 15 and 18 1/2 on the day they leave. for their exchange.

What if we can't find interested students?

Our Program Development Coordinator's job is to assist you with ideas for publicizing the program. As a last resort, there are usually several excellent alternates available at the placement interview in December.

Who selects the students?

Students are selected by their Sponsor Rotary Club. Youth Exchange is a Rotary Club project. The sponsor club must actively canvass the local high schools and youth organizations, conduct interviews and select the most qualified student.

Troubles

My student broke a 4-D rule.

No Illegal Drugs
No Illegal Drinking
No Driving
No Dating (Serious romantic involvement)

If your student has broken one of these rules, you should contact the Counselor and the YE Area Representative immediately. They will determine what needs to be done next and advise the District Youth Exchange Officer. If appropriate, the District YEO will notify the home district and natural parents of the student and make the necessary arrangements to have the student returned home.

My student doesn't want to go to high school.

Sorry, this is a High School, student exchange program. The student will be in violation of their US Visa if they do not attend the designated high school. If they do not attend regularly and make a good-faith effort to be successful in school, we must send them home.

My student wants to get a job.

Any kind of formal employment is a violation of the J-1 Student Visa your student holds. This is a cultural/educational exchange. Formal employment is not an approved activity.

My student wants to go home early.

This is a delicate issue. Some times students are simply unable to adapt and need to go home. Other times, this is a temporary emotional reaction and with some thoughtful counseling they can go on to have a successful exchange year.

The first step is to work through the Counselor to determine the source of the problem, is it a school problem, a host family problem, or a social problem? Once it is identified can the problem be addressed to the student's satisfaction?

The second step is to involve the District Area Representative. They can bring an impartial viewpoint to the situation let the student know what his/her options are. At this level, the student may possibly be moved to another club in the district.

If the situation is still not resolved to everyone's satisfaction, the Youth Exchange Officer is brought in to make the necessary arrangements with the sponsoring district for the student's return.

DO NOT ALLOW THE STUDENT TO MAKE RETURN ARRANGEMENTS ON THEIR OWN, WITHOUT TAKING THESE STEPS