A Life in a Year- Rotary Exchange : About Rotary Exchange

(The following information is found on the Rotary website)

What is Rotary about?

Rotary began as an idea more than 100 years ago. Today, Rotary flourishes worldwide with 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self.

Rotary clubs are open to people of all cultures and ethnicities and are not affiliated with any political or religious organizations.

Rotary also 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.

For more information about Rotary and getting involved visit your local club website or the following site:

http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/Pages/ridefault.aspx

What is Rotary Exchange about?

As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country.

Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, 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. Rotary is a globally minded organization and exchange allows students to be involved in making the world a more peaceful and accepting place.

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.

Rotary is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in its programs, especially Youth Exchange.

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.

For basic information on Rotary Exchange- how it works, how to apply, and more, visit their website:

http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/YouthPrograms/RotaryYouthExchange/Pages/ridefault.aspx

For detailed information about Rotary and the exchange student process from interviews, orientations, to outbound and rebound, see the handbook:

http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/746en.pdf