Rotary Youth Exchange

Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time.

Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.

What are the benefits?

Exchange students unlock their true potential to:

Develop lifelong leadership skills
Learn a new language and culture
Build lasting friendships with young people from around the world
Become a global citizen

How long do exchanges last?

Long-term exchanges last a full academic year, and students attend local schools and live with multiple host families.
Short-term exchanges last around 3-4 weeks and are often structured as a direct exchange. Participants live with families of matched students. The family of the student is then responsible for hosting the inbound student.

What are the costs?

Room and board are provided, as well as any school fees. Each program varies, but students are usually responsible for:

Round-trip airfare
Travel insurance
Travel documents (such as passports and visas)
Spending money and any additional travel or tours

Long-Term Exchange Program

Studying abroad is a truly life-changing experience. Rotary Youth Exchange provides high school students with the chance to live and learn in a different country for eleven months. We place students all over the world and have exchange partners on six continents. As a global non-profit with decades of experience facilitating exchanges, Rotary's program provides students with layers of experienced support all for a fraction of the price of for-profit youth exchange companies. This makes Rotary the best choice for any student considering exchange.

Do I qualify?

Applicants must be between 15.5 and 18.5 years old on August 1 of the year the student will leave on exchange.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 OR rank in the top 50% of their class.

Length of Stay:

One School Year

How much does it cost?

We adjust the cost annually to reflect the most up-to-date program costs, but outbound students can expect the program to cost around $7,000. This is less than half the cost of similar for-profit programs. Rotary volunteers and organizational support help make our program as affordable as possible. Scholarships are also available to help offset some of these costs for qualifying students.

For more information, please see below.

Why Rotary Youth Exchange?

Parent Frequently Asked Questions about Rotary Youth Exchange

Are you ready to take the first step? Please fill out this Information Request Form and submit it to our Rotary District 5910 Office at 5910rye@gmail.com.

Short-Term Exchange Program

Rotary Youth Exchange provides high school students with a unique opportunity to promote international goodwill and foster greater understanding among people from different cultures around the world. Through the Short-Term Exchange Program, participants experience life in another country firsthand by living as a member of their matched student's family. In return, they host their international friend in their own home, sharing their culture, traditions, and way of life. This exchange creates lasting friendships while broadening perspectives and developing global citizenship.

Do I qualify?

Applicants must be between 15.5 and 18.5 years
Be from the Southeast corner of Texas

Length of Stay:

During summer vacation - about 3 to 4 weeks. Exact schedules will be determined by host district.

How much does it cost?

Students are responsible for paying for their airfare ($1,300 - $1,800 depeding upon destination and schedule)
Spending money for gifts, etc.
$300 for insurance and application fee

*Participants do not need to be fluent in a foreign language, but it is always encouraged you learn/practice common phrases beforehand.

*Participants live with families of matched students. The family of the student is responsible for hosting the inbound student.

For more information, please see below.

Short-Term Exchanges

Hosting an Exchange Student

Hosting an inbound exchange student is a life-changing event for you, your family and the exchange student. Your family will take on the roles as mom, dad, sister or brother. As host parent(s) you will provide shelter and sustenance, guidance and counsel, and love and support to the high school student. And you will have a full team of local Rotarians to support you and the exchange student.

What makes a great host family?

Willingness to open your home and heart.
Interested to learn about another culture.
Enjoy being around high school age children.
You don't need to be a member of our Rotary Club to host.

What is required to host?

Offer 3–4 month stay as a part of your family.
Live in school district where student is enrolled.
A spare bed (may share a room with same sex child).
Clean background check for all adults in the house.
1–2 hours for an in-person orientation training.
Note: cell phone and monthly allowance is paid by the Rotary Club.
Note: You don't need to have other children or a spouse in your home.

What do you and your family gain?

A life-long friend, often with future opportunities to visit them in their home country.
Broadened insights and perspectives of the USA and the world.
A reason to see more of our community, showing it off to the student.

Rotary Clubs are always looking for potential host families. Please go to this Host Family application if you are interested in hosting an exchange student.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information!