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Rotary Youth Exchange is open to young people ages 15-25 worldwide. There are two basic types of exchanges: short-term and long-term.

Short-term exchange

General short-term exchange

• Ages 15-19
• Several days to several weeks long
• Don’t involve attending high school, but students can tailor their experience to match their interests
• Can include homestays, tours, and international youth camps

Read more in the Short-term Youth Exchange Brochure (PDF)

Long-term exchange

• Ages 15-19
• One year
• Involves living with a few host families and attending a local school

Read more in the Long-term Youth Exchange Brochure  (PDF).

Students

How do I qualify?

• Above-average student or young professional with demonstrated leadership in the community
• Open to new experiences and cultural differences
• Sponsored by a local Rotary club
• Completed written application and in-person interview

How much will it cost?

Youth Exchange is coordinated at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs. Costs vary greatly from one area to another. Typically, participants and their parents cover the following expenses:

• Round-trip airfare
• Health and accident insurance
• Travel documents
• Clothing and other necessities
• Spending money
• Emergency funds for unpredicted expenses
• Ancillary travel and tours

In most clubs and districts, participants do not pay placement fees, so those with financial constraints can share the exchange experience.

Sharing in the costs are host families (who pay for room and board), the host community (who cover school tuition and arrangements) and host Rotary club (who offer a small stipend of usually US$50-100 monthly.)

What are my responsibilities?

As a Youth Exchange student, you agree to

• Act as an ambassador for your home country
• Abide by all program rules of your host Rotary club and district
• Accept the supervision of the host family, club, and district
• Ask questions of your host family and local Rotarians
• Be an active participant in your exchange

Where will my exchange be?

Exchanges can take place in more than 150 countries and geographical areas. Please note, however, that the countries you visit depend on your home Rotary district. Contact your local club or district for more information. Locate the club nearest to you through Club Locator or your local phone listings, or find out whether a club or district has listed its website  with Rotary International. 

Do you offer scholarships or university programs?

RI doesn’t offer scholarships or university programs specifically for Youth Exchange students, but local Rotary clubs and districts may offer financial assistance. Contact Rotarians in your area to find out. If you’re interested in university programs, explore Rotary Foundation scholarships.

I’m interested. How do I apply?

Youth Exchange is administered by Rotary clubs and districts. Contact Manon Locke to apply. 

Host families

By hosting a Youth Exchange student in your home, you’ll make a young person’s dream come true, and you and your family will share an unforgettable and fulfilling experience.

As a host family, you will

• Provide room and board
• Supervise the student just as you would your own children
• Involve the student in family activities and chores
• Enrich the exchange experience by including the student in family, community, and cultural activities

Host families aren’t compensated financially. The program is run entirely by dedicated volunteers, which helps keep costs low.

More information:

• If you’re interested in hosting a Youth Exchange student, read A Guide for Host Families  (PDF), which details student and host family responsibilities, Rotary’s role, and frequently asked questions.

Rotarians

Dedicated Rotarian volunteers have kept Youth Exchange vital for decades. Rotarians work behind the scenes to handle the logistics of each exchange. For long-term exchanges, the host club and district arranges school enrollment, tuition, and other educational matters.

Youth Exchange officers are the program’s leaders. Elected at the club and district levels, these volunteers are trained to serve as liaisons between students and the district Youth Exchange committee.
 

    

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Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.

 

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of

• Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
• Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
• Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
• Advancing international understanding and goodwill

As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact.

The Rotary Club of Cornwall sponsors two Interact clubs - one at CCVS and the other at St. Lawrence.

      What is RYLA?

RYLA is a leadership development program that is organized at the club, district, or multidistrict level. The format of the event depends on what you hope to accomplish, your resources, and your audience – it could be a one-day seminar, a three-day retreat, or a weeklong camp.

While participants can be any age, most events focus on secondary school students, university students, or young adults.

RYLAs are designed for young adults with proven leadership ability and a commitment to community service. Whether you are a secondary school student, university student, or young professional, RYLA will help you discover your potential and develop the skills needed to be a leader in your community, career, and everyday life. 

How can I participate in a RYLA event?

Contact the Rotary Club of Cornwall to find out about RYLA events in your area. Follow RYLA on Facebook to learn about inspirational events happening around the globe.