Beginner’s Guide to Travel through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program
Young people need to experience the joy of exploring the world. Luckily, the Rotary Youth Exchange program hosted by Rotary International makes this possible. Rotary International brings people together to offer humanitarian services. This organization is available in more than 200 countries including large cities and remote villages. Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, Rotary International expanded to reach most countries in the world.
What is the Rotary Youth Exchange Program?
This is the highlight of Rotary International to give youths a chance to travel across the globe by giving them an opportunity to spend time in another country for some time. Apart from traveling through the program, young people develop strong leadership skill, build a friendship with people from different parts of the world, learn a new language and culture, and become global citizens. The program is open to young people between 14 to 19 years.
How long does the exchange last?
Short-term exchange
There’re two options for one to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. The first option is a short-term exchange. This usually lasts for several to a maximum of three months. However, it takes place when school isn’t in session. The short term youth exchange program structure might be a camp, homestay, or tour.
Long-term exchange
This lasts an academic year abroad involving living with three to four carefully selected host families. The long-term Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the best high school study abroad programs offering a chance to attend school and learn what it takes to live in another country. Luckily, the student has an opportunity to choose a country of their choice.
Here’s the catch
The primary reason for youth to love the exchange program is being one of the most affordable travel exchange programs. This is because the host families accept to live with the student voluntarily without payment. Luckily, the host family offers basics such as food, a room, and other basics. This significantly cuts down the program costs compared to other travel exchange programs.
Students choose a country to live in but not the city. In addition, the chance to go to a country of your choice depends on the popularity of the destination. Regardless, the student gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and study abroad for an experience that impacts their lives. Some host countries students can choose include Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
Some qualification requirements for the program include:
- Well-adjusted family relationship
- At least above average academic performance
- Interest in understanding the world better its associated problems
- Well rounded personality to think through problems of living in a foreign environment
- Active participation in community sports, youth activities, hobbies, or church
Taking a sophomore or junior year abroad means the student gets back to the home high school at least a year before graduation. The student will have many experiences to share with friends. There’s even an opportunity to take a gap year between high school and college to participate in the exchange program. The good thing is that when applying for college, a student with exchange experience is favored when evaluating applicants.
Key features about the program
Language proficiency
Before going on the exchange program, the student’s proficiency in the host country language varies. This is because some countries teach in English while others don’t. Therefore, the requirement to learn the country’s language depends on the country. It’s highly recommended to have some basic knowledge of the host country language is they don’t teach in English.
Program cost
The Rotary Youth Exchange program belongs to the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). This is a nonprofit agency with a commitment to set standards regarding international education travel. Additionally, the body monitors compliance with the standards. The youth exchange program has approval from the U.S. Department of State. Participating in the program doesn’t cost much in administrative costs. The student pays a fee that covers:
- Airfare
- Application fee
- Mandatory health insurance
Lifelong impacts
The experience of living and studying in a new country has a significant impact on the student’s nurturing process. Making personal and financial decisions enhances student confidence and independence. The student will learn to think and talk fluently with others in a new language. It also enhances confidence when speaking before groups of people. Living with new people makes the student become more tolerant of others regardless of cultural and personality differences. More significantly, the student will have developed lifelong friendship spanning the globe.
Closing thought
It’s a wonderful idea to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. The trick is finding a reliable agency that does help students qualify for the program.
