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Rotary District 6110 Youth Exchange

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Yes, I am interested in Youth Exchange.
Please contact me. 
(Your Contact Form goes directly to Rotary.) 

Instructions for Short-Term Outbound Students
STEP – by – STEP

Applications are due to the local Rotary Club no later than DECEMBER 15.

Click here to go to the interactive STEP application (2009)

The "short-term" program is for 3-5 weeks of living in another country, where you will be hosted by a Rotary District and Rotary Club, and live with a family in the nation you are visiting. All short-term exchanges are reciprocal. Each student hosts the same student who hosted him/her. Learn more about hosting your reciprocal short term inbound Exchangee.

 

Where will I go?
Rotary District 6110 has youth exchange contacts with France, India, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, Germany, France, Hungary,  Peru, Belgium, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Spain.   We are always exploring opportunities to exchange with other countries. Our new short term program will be exploring reciprocal exchanges with these countries  and others which are of interest to short term outbound summer exchange students who live within the boundaries of District 6110 (The four corners of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma)

. Check out our RYE links page to learn more about the RYE programs in other countries.

What does it cost?
There is an application fee of $50, which is non-refundable in the event of a student cancelling the exchange.

The fixed fee portion of the cost, which includes everything but airfare and passport fees (administrative costs, insurance, orientation, and business cards) is $450.  

Students & their families are responsible for paying for and making arrangements for airfare. The average cost of airfare for last year’s exchanges was less than $2000

   You may pay on a 2-payment ($250 on Feb 15 upon acceptance and $200 on March 15th) plan or as a lump sum of ($450 on Feb 15 upon acceptance into the program). .

The student is responsible for acquiring his/her own passport (& visa, if required) and any related costs.

Proof of passport and travel documentation will be required by April 30th  .

Who Pays?
The short-term outbound student's parents pay for all expenses other than housing and meals, which are provided by the host family in the destination country. The parents will then be providing housing and meals for the inbound reciprocal exchangee. Click HERE to learn more about hosting your reciprocal short term inbound Exchangee.
Matching Grant Program!
 D6110 Youth Exchange has a limited ability to provide matching grant monies to approved candidates. That program requires the District to provide 1/3 of the cost, the sponsoring club may (or may not) agree to provide 1/3 of the cost and the student or his/her parents to provide the remaining amount of the flat fee. Applicants must be approved by the local club as being both "in need" and "well qualified" to be considered for a grant from the district Matching Grants Program
What do Host Clubs provide?
  • Youth Exchange Program Administration at the student's destination. If the student has any problems which the host parents can't resolve, they can go to the host Rotary Club Youth Exchange Officer or President for help.
  • Meals at Rotary Club meetings attended
  • Interaction with Rotary Club members and their families
What do Host Parents provide?
  • Family Atmosphere & Room
  • Food
  • Travel, if family vacation
  • Transportation to and from activities

Note:  You do not have to be a Rotarian family in order to be a host family. This program is open to Rotarian and non-Rotarian families alike..

Who Benefits?
The student, the parents sending the student abroad, the Host Parents, the Host Club, the sending country, the hosting country, the people who meet the student abroad, the people who meet the student after he or she returns home ... the whole world!
What's in it for the student?
  • Greater maturity
  • More confidence in oneself and a new personal world-view
  • Improved skills in a second language
  • World-wide networking! Rotarians are professional people, owners or senior managers, in business or government - Rotary Exchange Students often develop life-long relationships with the most influential people in the region of the country they visit
  • The opportunity to PROMOTE PEACE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING - our main goal!
What are the restrictions?
  • Be between the ages of 15 and 19 when you arrive in the host country
  • Be a good ambassador 
  • Adhere to the rules of Rotary Youth Exchange, some of which are:
  •    
    •  
    NO DRIVING of any motorized vehicle (the accident insurance does not provide coverage)
    •  
    NO DRINKING of alcoholic beverages (except where legal and culturally expected)
    •  
    NO DATING on a "steady" basis (to avoid serious romantic entanglements)
    •  
    NO DRUGS (no use of illegal or non-prescribed drugs is permitted or tolerated)
     

    •  
    NO DRILLING  - No new piercings or new tattoos while overseas

    •  
    NO DOWNLOADING or viewing of pornography while overseas

    Note:  This program is open to student applicants from  non-Rotarian and Rotarian families alike. (It is not necessary for your parents to be Rotarians in order for you to participate in this program.)

How do I apply for the short term exchange program?
Click HERE for application information and instructions. 

Applications are due 15 DECEMBER to the local Rotary club. However, earlier applications may have a better chance of going to their most preferred country.

Click here to go to the interactive online application.

Where can I find more information about Rotary District 6110 Short Term Youth Exchange?
Contact the Rotary District 6110 Short Term Youth Exchange Coordinator, Yume Rudzinski, by email.
Also, Check This Out!!
Overseas Adventure, Learning ... YOU?

Rotary District 6110
Click HERE to see a list of Rotary Clubs in District 6110

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