History of Rotary Youth Exchange

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 multidistrict groups, the program today involves more than 82 countries and over 8,000 students each year.

The first documented exchanges date back to 1927, when the Rotary Club of Nice, France, initiated exchanges with European students. Exchanges between clubs in California, USA, and Latin American countries began in 1939, and exchange activities spread to the eastern United States in 1958. In 1972, the RI Board of Directors agreed to recommend Youth Exchange to clubs worldwide as a worthwhile international activity that promotes global peace and understanding.

Types of Exchanges

Each year, local Rotary districts and clubs worldwide arrange thousands of international Youth Exchanges for high school-aged students. There are two principal types of exchanges:

Long-term exchanges usually last for an academic year. During your stay, you will live with more than one host family — typically three different families for three months each — and attend high school.

Short-term exchanges vary from a few weeks to three months. You will not attend school on a short-term exchange, but you will most likely live with a host family. Rotary, however, offers a variety of short-term exchanges, including:

• Homestays: On a homestay, you will live with another family abroad. This type of program can be arranged for individual students or groups of students. A typical homestay may involve you spending a few weeks living with a family in Australia, while your host "brother" or "sister" lives with your family.

• Tours: Some short-term exchanges are structured as tours through one or more foreign countries. For example, on a short-term tour, you could travel through France and Germany with teens from all over the United States, or you could travel through Singapore with a group of students from all over the world.

• Camps: International youth camps bring students together from several countries to provide leadership training and address international concerns. Or, camps may simply be the means whereby students from different cultures get to know each other. Camps involving both able-bodied and disabled young people are popular in many countries. Whatever the camp, you're sure to meet some fascinating new friends.

• New Generations Exchanges: Open to people ages 18-25, this option is ideal for recent high school graduates and college and graduate students. Usually lasting three to six weeks, these exchanges may be for individuals or groups, and can involve homestays, tours, or camps.