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Who can apply?
- Students aged 15 and 18½ before August 1, 2027*
- Students in upper 1/3 of heir class.
When should the student apply, and what do they submit?
- Long term application - due November 30, 2026* Form
- Hosting Recommendation form - due November 30, 2026 Form
- Country preference form will be mailed to you at a later date during the application process.
- All documents must be signed by local sponsoring Rotary Club. If you need help finding a local club, please reach out to Kevin Wermer, Chair, RYE District Committee.
- *Dates are subject to change.
When do they find out if they have been accepted?
After the application has been submitted, the student will be interviewed by the District 6630 RYE committee.
What is the commitment for the students and parents?
- Participate in all orientation and training programs by the prospective outbound students including some requiring at least one parent/guardian in the year before they leave for exchange.
- There are nine (9) mandatory events between August and July for the prospective outbound students the year before they leave.
- There are four (4) fun, non-mandatory events for inbound/outbound students together.
- Language Proficiency
- Certain countries require minimum language proficiency or lower maximum age cap requirements.RYE committee will advise on that.
- Student must complete a minimum of 16 hours of online tutored foreign language course.
- Compliance with It’s Your World visa requirements and payment of plane tickets and fees.
What does the program include?
- Hosting by Rotary Club in assigned country.
- Primary tuition and placement in school approved by Rotary club.
- Host family accommodation including meals.Host families are chosen by the host Rotary Club.
- Small monetary stipend from host Rotary Club (amounts will vary in each country)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure (host family or Rotary representative will welcome and send off).
- 24-hour worldwide emergency assistance throughout the program
- For travel, It’s Your World Travel will provide 23-hour assistance.
- For exchange, Rotary will have a network of representatives to help.
- Local Rotary counselor as student’s representative.
- Rotary blazer, name badge, calling cards, pins, Rotary emblem patch, and Rotary backpack are provided.
- Pre-trip orientations, conferences and instruction on what to expect, training for how to handle the exchange year.
- Rotary Youth Exchange student handbook.
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What is not included in the program/how much does it cost families:
- $1,800 fee paid to RYE-OB District 6630 – payment to be made before or at time of interview.
- Costs of attending conferences
- January conference when the students find out which country they will go to.
- July conference when the students prepare for their departure in the next month.
- Health insurance policy (about $1,000), and any other country-required insurance needs.
- It’s Your World Travel – Rotary-affiliated company that provides round-trip airfare and visa process services.($3,500-$5,000 depending on country).
- Passport fees if applicable.
- Personal expenses – clothing, travel, pocket money.
- Rotary-sponsored trips
- Academic credit – families must meet with their student’s US guidance counselor to discuss a plan for academic credits before/during/after their exchange.
For questions, contact District 6630 RYE Chair Kevin Wermer via email.