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WHAT IS ROTARY?

Youth exchange students from all over the world come to Rotary District 5080 for a 10-12 month exchange (“long term exchange”)  or a 6-8 week exchange (“short term exchange”).  At the same time, youth exchange students from District 5080 travel to Europe, South America, or Asia.

Rotary District 5080 includes southeastern British Columbia, Canada, northern Idaho and eastern Washington, USA.  This area offers extraordinary scenery and recreational activities in and around the small towns and cities of the district.  Excellent schools and cultural opportunities are found throughout the district.  

Rotary is a global network of community volunteers.  Rotary club members are business, professional, and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. 

More than 34,000 clubs and 1.2 million members conduct projects to address today’s challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns.  Youth Exchange is just one of many Rotary programs that seek to make the world a better place.  More information about Rotary can be found on the Rotary International website.

WHAT IS ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE?

Rotary Youth Exchange is the world’s most experienced student exchange program, backed by the world’s largest and finest service organization, Rotary International.  

Each year, thousands of young people from around the world make the journey to another land and live for a year in the homes of host families selected by local Rotary Clubs.  While abroad, they attend school, they share in household duties, and they assume the life of a normal teenager in the country where they live.  And while they are learning, the people around them are learning too, because every Rotary Exchange Student is also a young ambassador, sharing their ideas, sharing their culture, and making friends in a distant part of the world.

Rotary Youth Exchange Programs Tailor-Made For You.

The Rotary Youth Exchange study abroad programs is the lowest cost youth exchange program managed by Rotary Volunteers all over the world. Being selected as a Rotary Youth Exchange student is a scholarship program in itself since many of the costs are covered by Rotary volunteers, host families, and Clubs. The Rotary Youth Exchange program covers room, board, tuition, and a monthly stipend while you are on your Exchange with an estimated value over $24,000. During your Exchange year you will have the opportunity to learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become a global citizen. You can choose to study abroad for a full academic year. If going to high school abroad is not your thing (or staying for an entire school year), you could choose a short summer abroad exchange program lasting from a few weeks to a couple of months. Regardless of your choice, the Rotary Youth Exchange study abroad program will be one of your greatest lifetime experiences.

STATEMENT OF CONDUCT FOR WORKING WITH YOUTH

Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities.  To the best of their ability, Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses and partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people they come into contact with and protect them from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.