For the 2017-2018 school year, Rochester Rotary is assisting two local students to study abroad for a full school year, as well as coordinating a short term exchange during the summer.

This year, Rochester Rotary helped locate a host family for Eva Meisl of Austria and encourages students and families to consider if they are interested in either a short term or long term exchange in 2018.

Rotary's goal is to promote world understanding one person at the time. Every year, over 7,000 young scholars explore new cultures and communities through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Rotary clubs exist in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, and Youth Exchanges take place in nearly all of them.
 
“We help with both inbound and outbound students. We help find host families for inbound students and act as a sort of welcome and support committee. And we also help local outbound Rochester students find host families in other local Rotary districts around the world. It’s really wonderful to help facilitate both aspects of this incredible opportunity.” - Dave Archbold, Youth Exchange Chair.
 
This year, Rochester Rotary helped locate a host family for Eva Meisl of Austria and encourages students and families to consider if they are interested in either a short term or long term exchange in 2018.
 
If you have a high school student, or know someone who has a 15-18 year old, who is interested or could benefit from the experience, please encourage them to consider the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

Long-Term Exchanges

These are focused around the school year. They usually last from August until the following June, during which students attend school and live with families in their host country. To gain a greater understanding of the culture, students will live with at least two, preferably three, host families during their stay. To ensure student safety, the host Rotary club conscientiously screens and selects all host families.
 

Short-Term Exchanges

These typically take place during the summer and vary in length from 4-6 weeks. Although students generally would not attend school in the host country, the hosts may be able to tailor the exchange to match the student’s interests or to include tours of specific places or regions. Rochester Rotary would get in contact with a Rotary club in the desired area and work to arrange a direct exchange so that their student could also come to experience live in the Rochester community.
 
Rotary Youth Exchange programs are open to students ages 15-19. To qualify, applicants should be above-average students who have demonstrated leadership in their community. Candidates should also 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.