About Youth Exchange
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country. Short-term students often complete their exchange between school years.
Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange program, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and a maybe even a new language. You will be an ambassador for Canada, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer — and make some good friends in the process.
District 5550 Exchange students routinely describe the experience as the best of their lives. They are enriched by the experiences, by their new linguistic skills, and by the friends and contacts they make.
For over 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary Youth Exchange. More than 80 countries and over 8,000 students each year participate in the program, which is administered by local Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts.
Globally minded
Rotary clubs are made up of volunteers who are involved in community service, emphasize high ethical standards, and work toward peace and understanding in the world. Over 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 32,000 clubs create the extensive network that provides support for Youth Exchange.
A commitment to youth
Rotary maintains a strong connection to youth and young adults. Besides Youth Exchange, Rotary clubs sponsor youth service clubs and offer career development and mentoring programs. Rotary is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in its programs, including Youth Exchange.
Low costs
Rotary club volunteers administer the program, which helps keep costs low for students and their families. The volunteers are experienced in supporting students, host families, and fellow Rotarians who are involved in the program. More information about costs can be found on the documents specific to applying for your preferred program.
Where will my exchange be?
Currently we have Long Term Students in 13 countries, and in various regions within these countries. This list is constantly reviewed but contains the following countries: Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Short-Term Students often go to the same countries, but there are exceptions.