Learn how your club can host an exchange student!

Hosting exchange students demonstrates a Rotary club’s commitment to International Service and is also rewarding and fun for members. As a participating club, you will also have an impact on helping a young person experience a safe way to open their minds by experiencing a new culture.

Whether your club determines to sponsor students participating in the long-term program or short-term program, you should designate a Youth Exchange Officer for your club.

The Long-term Program

Club’s Outbound Student Responsibilities:

• Visit local high schools and/or local community organizations in early fall to promote the Rotary exchange program and recruit prospective students. The children of club members also represent an opportunity to recruit prospective students.

• Meet with interested students and their families and conduct interviews.

• Invite outbound students to one or more Rotary meetings prior to leaving and upon their return.

Club’s Inbound Student Responsibilities:

• Find host families. Families can be either Rotarians or community members.

• Coordinate inbound student enrollment in school.

• Designate a club member to serve as the inbound student’s counselor. This individual can be the exchange officer.

• Counselors and Volunteers working with students must have a COVID Vaccine.

• Invite inbound student to participate in club meetings (including providing transportation to and from meetings), service projects and social events.

• Provide the student a designated monthly allowance. This is required for long-term exchange students and is paid directly to students in accordance with the U.S. State Department.

The Short-term Program

• Find students and families who wish to participate in a one-to-one summer exchange.

• Interview students and parents.

• Invite both the outbound and inbound students to participate in meetings.