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 Each Year, approximately 8,000 high school students, age 15 ½ to
18 ½, participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, learning
a new language and experiencing a new culture, through the
efforts of Rotary volunteers worldwide. District 6950, as well as 6 other
districts in Florida, have joined forces and formed RYE Florida, a state
wide Rotary Youth Exchange.
Youth Exchange Student
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you will spend a year, or perhaps just an
extended period of time, living with a host family in a country other than your own.
You will learn a new language; you will learn a new way of living and a great deal
about yourself. But there is more! While busy learning, the people you meet will be
learning as well – about their and your country, their and your culture, and
heir and your ideas. You will be a young ambassador. You will be helping to bring
the world closer together – and you will be making some good friends in the process.
There are two principal types of exchanges
- Long-term exchanges usually
last for an academic year, during which the student lives
with up to three families and attends school in the host
country.
- Short-term exchanges vary from
several days to several weeks. They often take place when
school is not in session and usually do not include an academic
program. Short-term exchanges usually involve a stay with
a host family, but they can also be organized as international
youth camps, which bring together students from many different
countries.
Student Selection
It is standard practice for local Rotary districts and clubs
to screen youth interested in the program by using detailed
applications (http://www.ryeflorida.org/forms.htm)
and interviews (interview dates will be posted
on the Multi-District Website for registration).
This process helps ensure that
only highly responsible and mature students are sent on an
exchange. Generally, students are selected based on the following
criteria:
- Scholastic record
- Linguistic ability
- Community involvement
- Potential as a cultural ambassador
- Age
Interested in the program? Either because you want to be a Rotary exchange student or you know a student who would be a good ambassador or you would like to be a host family, or you want to get involve and be a Youth Exchange committee member, or your club would like to sponsor an inbound or outbound student, contact:
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