Youth Exchange (YE)

 


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.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is an exchange student program for high school students to spend ten months living with host families and attending school in a different country.  As part of the Youth Exchange Program, 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.  More than 8,000 young people internationally participate in Rotary Youth Exchange programs each year.

Globally Minded

Rotary Clubs are made up of volunteers who are involved in community service, emphasixe high ethical standards, and work toward peace and understanding in the world. Over1.3 million Rotarians in more than 32,000 clubs create the extensive network that provides support for 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.

 

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.

 

 

With Whom Do We Exchange?

Our Club is a member of Rotary District 6400. The District only exchanges with Clubs who meet the high standards of Central States Youth Exchange Network, and with whom we have a person to person connection.

Currently we exchange with Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czechia/Slovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland/Estonia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey.

 For decades, The Rotary Club of Windsor Roseland has been hosting teens 15-19 years old, called “Inbounds” from around the world. Our club has also sent local teens from Windsor and the surrounding area abroad for 9 months, called “Outbounds”.

Check out the stories of our Inbound & Outbound Youth Exchange Alumni.

                  Inbound Alumni                     Outbound Alumni

 

 Interested Long-Term Exchange Student

Students apply at the end of their Grade 9-11 year. If accepted, the student participates in several orientation and training sessions during their sophomore or junior year. Note: the application process can take up to 12 months.

The student then spends ten months during what would be their grade 11-12 year in a foreign country, staying with two or three host families Host families in the foreign country are carefully vetted by the local Rotary Club using guidelines established by Rotary International.

 

Interested Host Family

For a well rounded experience, we strive to place each inbound student with three host families during the school year. Each family hosts for approximately three months.

Windsor families who open their homes to host an international student are critical to the success of the Rotary Exchange Program.

The hosted student is treated as a member of the family – not a guest! Hosting an exchange student is a fun and enriching experience for both parents and children – often resulting in life-long international friendships.

For more information about Youth Exchange, contact windsorroselandrotary.org and check out the Rotary International website here.


YE Reunions are so much fun!

2018 Santiago de Compostello, Spain:  Lori Newton (Mom, Host Mom), Andrew Swainson (outbound to Bornholm Denmark), Jeremy Swainson (outbound to Xanten Germany), Ludivine Caron (inbound from Grenoble France) and Juan (inbound from Bragado Argentina) and PP Darren Winger.

2010 La Plata, Argentina: Juan Cajerville (inbound from Bragado, Argentina), Lori Newton (Host Mom), PP Darren Winger, Malena Taube (inbound to Rotary Club of La Plata) and Kristin Kale (WRR outbound to La Plata).