COSTS
Actual costs will vary depending on the country of exchange and the student’s personal budget.
Typically, the students and their parents or guardians are expected to cover the following expenses:
- An application fee
- Return airfare
- Health and accident insurance that meets the requirements of the host club and district
- All travel documents, such as passport and visas
- Vaccinations
- Internal travel in overseas country, including Rotary organized tours
- Day to day living expenses of the student such as postage, phone calls, personal items, clothing, footwear, etc.
- A $500 emergency fund (redeemable at the conclusion of the exchange if unused)
Rotary provides:
- Rotary approved host families who provide a family environment for the student, room and board
- Schooling and the payment of normal school fees and expenses
- A monthly allowance of approximately $100 to the student to help cover some of the day to day living expenses
- A student counselor, both here and in the host country
- Back up support and counselling for the family of the student
OBLIGATIONS
Each district and club sets rules that students are expected to follow to preserve the exchange structure and ensure safety. To help students understand the rules and expectations, districts conduct mandatory program orientation sessions. In addition to club and district rules, Rotary International has set forth the following expectations:
As a Youth Exchange student you will agree to:
- Act as an ambassador of your own country
- Be open to new experiences and cultural differences
- Follow the local laws and customs in the host country
- Abide by all program rules and your host Rotary Club and district
- Accept the supervision of the host district, host club and host family
- Be an active participant in your exchange
- In the case of long term exchange, attend a secondary level school for the duration of the exchange.
If a student disobeys agreed upon rules or an insurmountable problem arises, the host district may decide that it is in the student’s best interest to return home early.
