- Rotary International
- Applying
- 1st Host Family
- 2nd Host Family
- 3rd Host Family
- Departure
Rotary International Youth Exchange Program
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. It is a secular organization open to all persons regardless of race, color, creed or political preference. There are more than 32,000 clubs and over 1.2 million members world-wide. The members of Rotary Clubs are known as Rotarians. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Members usually meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner, which is a social event as well as an opportunity to organize work on their service goals. Rotary's best-known motto is "Service above Self", and its secondary motto is "They profit most who serve best"
The Rotary International Youth Exchange Program is a sub-program of Rotary International in which young people from around the world are sent to other countries to experience new lifestyles and cultures. The first ever exchange student was hosted by the Rotary Club of Copenhagen, Denmark back in 1929. There are currently around 9,000 students who are sponsored by the Rotary Club each year. There are two types of exchanges, one is long-term lasting anywhere from 9 to 12 months and then there are short-term exchanges which can be anywhere from a week to a few months during major school holidays. There are many tradtions and customs of being a Rotary Exchange Student, which will be discussed further as you read more about how to apply for the program and read about my experience as an exchange student!