Each year, local Rotary districts and clubs worldwide arrange thousands of international exchanges for high school-aged students. The primary goal of the program is to foster world understanding by way of intercultural exchange.
Types of Exchanges
Long term exchanges usually last an academic year in the host country, during which the student lives with more than one host family and attends school. A student usually stays with three families for three months each.
Short term exchanges vary from a few weeks to three months. They often take place when school is not in session and usually do not include an academic program. Short term exchanges usually involve a home stay experience with a family in the host country, but also can be organized as international youth camps and tours that bring together students from many countries.
Because Rotary exchanges with more countries than any other exchange organization, you could have a student from one of 163 countries living in your home. Not only will you provide an unforgettable service to a student from abroad, but you also will educate your family about the world around them.
Rotarian Families Host Exchange Students
Rotarian families look at hosting a youth exchange student from another country as a challenge and an opportunity. Involvement with an exchange student challenges a host family to become more familiar with other cultures, while providing the opportunity to share a student's hopes and ambitions. These challenges and opportunities enrich the lives of every member of the host family as well as enriching the lives of exchange students. Friendships are developed which can last the rest of their lives.