Summer 2025 Youth Exchange

MAKE THE WORLD YOUR HOME DURING THE 2025 SUMMER - APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Spend the summer with a student from another country.  Live abroad for at least three weeks (usually during the summer) with a family including the teenager you have been matched with (your exchange twin)  and then be the host for at least three weeks in your home and with your family and friends. This program is beyond a vacation and created family bonds. 
 
Eligibility:

Rotary Youth Exchange programs are open to current high school students.  The year you leave on exchange you must be between 15 1/2  - 18 1/2 years old by August 01. Students graduating High School can participate in the exchange program as a gap year with understanding they are attending High School in another country.  To qualify, applicants should be above-average students who have demonstrated leadership in their community. Qualified candidates possess qualities such as flexibility and a willingness to try new things that will enable them to fully experience life in another country and become excellent cultural ambassadors. All applicants must be sponsored by a local Rotary club and complete a written application and in person interview.

Timeline:

Local Rotary Clubs sponsor students exchange.   You might see posters in the schools, presentations, and/or  information sessions in late September or early October for interested students and parents.  Club initially interviewed the family.  Candidates that meet club sponsorship then complete a full application with candidate selection for the Long-term exchange program is usually made in mid-November.   The Short-term reciprocal summer program full applications are due after the winter break with candidate selection in January. 

Finances:  Rotary volunteers administer the program and thus keeps program expenses lower than other comparable exchange programs.  Consider it a scholarship abroad.

The Short-term program is a fraction of the cost of the Long-term program with the following: 
  • Non-refundable $150 application fees are collected with the full applications to cover administration costs.
  • Airfare - purchased by family
  • Travel insurance through Rotary which includes medical, accident, and illness coverage and meets the requirements of the host and sponsor clubs and districts.
  • All travel documents, such as passports and tourist visas (if needed) 
  • Spending money for ancillary travel or purchases
  • Costs incurred while hosting your twin for a few weeks. 
Countries:

For the Short-term program, District 6440 makes the match connections, mostly in Europe due to closer alignment of the school summer break schedules.  Students have also been successfully matched to other countries like Taiwan.

Interested in Apply?

Reach out to us at info@lflbrotary.org. We can provide the application and answer questions you might have. 

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT DISTRICT 6440 IS NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE LONG-TERM HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS GOING ABROAD NOR HOSTING A STUDENT IN YOUR HOME FOR A FEW MONTHS AS DESCRIBED BELOW.  BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE ON HOLD.