Rotary Youth Exchange
Ayres Lake at Twilight, Eugene, OR
Photo by Heather M. Edwards
Among the Most Well Respected Exchange Programs in the World
district program
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.
More About Rotary Youth Exchange
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 from several days to three months and are often structured as camps, tours, or homestays that take place when school is not in session.
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
Rotary Youth Exchange Annual Report
Rotary Youth Exchange inspires young leaders to serve as catalysts for peace and social justice in their local communities and throughout the world, long after their exchanges end. This program is possible because of the dedication, leadership, and passion of the tens of thousands of volunteers — Rotary members and nonmembers alike — who make this unique program so successful.
Read the latest about how Rotary Youth Exchange catalyzes service, cultural understanding, and lifelong connections to Rotary.
Want to know more?
- Subscribe to the Youth Exchange newsletter
- Connect on LinkedIn
- Questions? Email us: youthexchange@rotary.org
Rotary International’s Commitment to Youth Protection
The safety and well-being of young people and youth program participants are Rotary’s highest priority. Rotary International has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and harassment of young people.
Statement of Conduct for Working With Youth
Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotary members, their partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people with whom they come into contact and protect them from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Reporting incidents to Rotary allows our Youth Protection staff to guide local leaders in responding to, investigating, and resolving these matters in accordance with our youth protection policies and procedures. Reporting also allows Rotary staff to monitor members when appropriate and prohibit them from interacting with youth if they are found to have violated policy.
What is reported to Rotary International? Rotary encourages anyone who has a youth protection concern to use our online form to report it. Follow the link on our Youth Protection page to get to the form. Reports can even be submitted anonymously. Reported concerns may involve any minor who is participating in Rotary in any way, whether by being a Rotary Youth Exchange student, attending a RYLA camp, belonging to an Interact club, or even just attending a Rotary club meeting. We require our members to report any allegations of abuse, harassment, or misconduct that involve a minor in Rotary, as well as medical incidents, accidents, Rotary Youth Exchange early returns, and allegations against Rotary members that involve minors and arise outside of Rotary programming.
Rotary’s Youth Protection Guide
Rotary’s Youth Protection Page
Protecting Youth Program Participants (online course)
Preventing and Addressing Harassment (online course)
