Rotary International

IMPORTANT NOTE: Rotary International consists of individually established districts; only the district and multi-district Youth Exchange programs explicitly mentioned in the Advisory List were evaluated and accepted for CSIET Certification.

Rotary International is a worldwide service organization that encourages and facilitates international Youth Exchange as one of many activities of its member clubs. Rotary’s exchange programs are operated on an independent, autonomous basis by individual Rotary districts and multidistricts through a network of volunteers. Rotary International districts sponsor on average 8,500 school year and short-term student exchanges annually in as many as 110 countries.

Rotary Youth Exchange programs are open to students, generally between 15 and 19 years of age. The program is implemented by Rotary members through agreements with Rotary districts abroad that maintain similar program standards. Parents of the exchangee are responsible for providing round-trip transportation and insurance and other fees that vary by district. For long-term exchanges, the host district or club arranges multiple successive host families, provides all education expenses, and maintains contact with the exchange student. Accepted students must be sponsored by a local Rotary club and district. All applications must be submitted through the local Rotary club in the applicant’s home community and selections are made at the district level.

Long-term exchanges usually last for an academic year. Students live with more than one host family, ideally three different families, and attend high school.

Short-term exchanges vary from a few weeks to three months. Students do not attend school on short-term exchanges, but will most likely live with a host family. A variety of short-term exchanges are available, including; homestays, tours and camps.

Information on Rotary district exchange programs can be obtained directly from the individual district and multidistrict programs that follow.