OUR PROGRAM
Every year more than 7,600 young people have the opportunity of a lifetime — a chance to live in another country and see the world from a new perspective through the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
YOU COULD BE ONE OF THEM!
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend a year living abroard with host families and attend a school in a country other than your own. You’ll learn a new way of living, a new language, and a great deal about yourself.
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is for secondary school students and is accredited by Rotary International and meets the standards required to conduct the exchange program. Our Rotary Youth Exchange District partners abroad are also accredited by Rotary International.
OUR PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED
Rotary District 9685 is accredited by both New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory education authorities as a Student Exchange Organisation to conduct the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
The District Rotary Youth Exchange program meets the standards and duty of care requirements of these accreditation bodies.
YOU’LL BECOME A YOUNG AMBASSADOR
As you learn more about yourself during your Rotary Youth Exchange, you’ll also be teaching the people you meet about your country, your culture, and your ideas.
You’ll be a young ambassador, helping to bring the world closer together and making some lifetime friends in the process.
If you’re ready for the challenge and the rewards of living in another country as a Rotary Youth Exchange student, then you’re ready to discover new worlds through the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
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During your exchange, you will grow considerably in self-confidence, tolerance and self-reliance.
My youth exchange year was one of incredible change and growth for me. In addition to seeing so much of the rest of the world, and making such wonderful friends, I changed in ways I never knew were possible. Thank you Rotary for the best year of my life!”
– Josie, 15
You will have to adapt to unfamiliar and different surroundings and ways of life that are different from home.
For some this will be the first extended period of separation from their family. This will bring about many trials and tribulations which you will need to overcome and by so doing develop many “survival skills”.
To live away from home for the 50 weeks duration of the exchange is a demanding yet rewarding experience. It is not always smooth sailing and requires a great strength of character, tolerance and an understanding of the acceptance personal responsibility.
The exchange provides a unique opportunity for young Australians to experience at first hand the many cultures of a different country, a new way of life and in some instances another language. Often, the friendships they make will be life-long and important in achieving the aims of the exchange – the building of goodwill and understanding between countries.
