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Youth
Rotary Youth Exchange
About Youth Exchange
A s a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country. Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and maybe even a new language. You’ll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process.
For over 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary Youth Exchange. More than 80 countries and over 8,000 students each year participate in the program, which is administered at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs.Globally minded
Rotary clubs are made up of volunteers who are involved in community service, emphasize high ethical standards, and work toward peace and understanding in the world. Over 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 32,000 clubs create the extensive network that provides support for Youth Exchange.
A commitment to youth
Rotary maintains a strong connection to youth and young adults. Besides Youth Exchange, Rotary clubs sponsor youth service clubs such as Interact , Rotaract , and RYLA and offer career development and mentoring programs.
Rotary is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in its programs, including Youth Exchange.
Low costs
Rotary club volunteers administer the program at the local level, which helps keep costs low for students and their families. These volunteers often offer years of experience with students, host families, and fellow Rotarians who are involved in the program.
“What a wonderful opportunity I was given, from both the Rotary club and my family, to spread my wings, taste the culture, and live the life.”
– U.S. exchange student to Australia
Learn how Rotary Youth Exchange works .
Find out what countries participate by contacting Rotarians or the Youth Exchange chair in your area.
For more information, read the following resources:
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
About RYLA
RYLA is Rotary's leadership training program for young people.
RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to demonstrate Rotary's respect and commitment to youth, provides an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders, encourages leadership of youth by youth and recognizes publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.
Rotary clubs plays a big role in communities locally, nationally and internationally. Understanding Rotary’s impact is an important part of the RYLA process.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-17.
RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to
- Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
- Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
- Encourage leadership of youth by youth
- Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities
Interact
About Interact
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.
If you or your someone you know is interested in any of our youth programs or have any questions, please email us at info@rotaryclubofhuntsville.com or call 705-788-2844.