Rotary Youth Exchange

Making a world of difference!

The most powerful force in the promotion of international understanding and peace is exposure to different cultures. The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we learn that all people - regardless of nationality - desire the same basic things: a safe, comfortable environment that allows for a rich and satisfying life for ourselves and our children. Youth Exchange provides thousands of young people with the opportunity to meet people from other lands and to experience their cultures, thus planting the seeds for a lifetime of international understanding.

Since 1927, students and host families all over the world have had their horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the generosity of Rotary's Youth Exchange program. Administered by Rotary clubs, districts and multi-district groups, the program today involves more than 82 countries and over 8,000 students each year.

Owego Rotary Club is an active participant in the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. We make this exceptional program available to the outstanding students in five Tioga County school districts:

• Candor
• Newark Valley
• Owego Apalachin
• Spencer Van Etten
• Tioga

Long-term exchanges usually last for an academic year. During the stay, the student will live with more than one host family - typically three different families for three months each - and attend high school in the country that is assigned to the student.

Eligibility -
Any high school student who will be between the ages of 15 and 18 at the time of their departure is eligible for Rotary Youth Exchange. As the oldest exchange program of its kind, Rotary Youth Exchange takes pride in choosing students who are academically above average, articulate, and demonstrate leadership in their communities.

Ideal candidates should also possess qualities - like flexibility and a willingness to try new things - that will enable them to become excellent cultural ambassadors. The student does not have to be involved with Rotary in any way in order to apply, although children of Rotarians are more than welcome to participate.

Costs -
Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the least expensive international exchange programs open to high school-aged students. Because volunteers in Rotary clubs and districts administer the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the student will not have to pay fees to an agency to arrange an exchange.

With Rotary, the student and their parents or guardians are responsible for:

• Round-trip airfare to the host country
• Health and accident insurance
• All travel documents, such as passports and visas
• Clothing and spending money
• An emergency fund for their use during the year

Room and board, while the student is away, will be provided by the host families, and the host Rotary club will finance the tuition for required academic programs. Also, on long-term exchanges, the host Rotary club will provide the student with a modest monthly allowance.

How to Apply -
Interested and eligible students should contact the Owego Rotary Club to submit a one page preliminary application. Applicants will attend a preliminary interview with local Rotary club members. Those that pass the initial screening process will then complete the full application and attend a Rotary District interview session. Applicants will also attend a Passport Fair at which they will learn about the countries available for exchange. Students accepted into the program will attend several orientation sessions in preparation for the exchange.

When to Apply -
As the Rotary Youth Exchange program is highly selective, the student should apply early - up to a year in advance of when they wish to leave. For example, for long-term exchanges, selection takes place in the fall prior to the year the student will make their exchange. If the student wishes to travel abroad during the junior year, the student should apply no later than September of their sophomore year.