Rotary International is an organization of business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service, ethical standards in business and to promoting world understanding and peace through programs like Rotary Youth Exchange. Students must also be adaptable and flexible when adjusting to new and unanticipated situations that commonly arise when living in a different culture. Applications are due and interviews are held at the local club level in the fall. Final selection at district level occurs in the winter. Mailings and concentrated orientation prepare the student and parents for both outbound and inbound experiences.
Participants depart in mid-summer and return at the end of the academic year.
Every effort is made to place students in the country of their preference. Sometimes, however, a host country may not have enough openings available for the number of applicants or an applicant may fail to meet the foreign language proficiency requirements that are applicable to exchanges to certain countries. Applicants are selected by a sponsoring Rotary club on the basis of a written application and a personal interview. Contact a member of your local Rotary club for assistance in submitting your application. Personal interviews with both students and their parents as well as group orientations are mandatory.