| How do I apply to be an exchange student? |
Contact your local Rotary Club. Just click on Club Profile to find a Rotary Club near to you. |
| Are there any requirements to be an exchange student? |
There are two critical requirements and a number of other important ones. First, you must be older than 16 and younger than 18 1/2 when you depart. Second, you must be in the upper half of your class, academically.
In addition, because of the nature of the exchange, there is an interview process that helps us determine if you would be able to successfully complete an exchange year. We want to make sure the program is right for you and you are right for the program. |
| When will I know to what country I will be going? |
It is the first of the two longest waits you will have to endure. Usually you will know to what country you have been assigned within 2 months of being accepted. The second wait is to find out to what town, club, family and school you will be going. This will be known sometime between knowing what country and a couple of weeks before you actually leave. (Yes, it varies by that much and can drive you crazy.) In many cases you will know the city, club and family before your Rotary Chairman. If you get a call from your hosting country, take careful notes on where you will be going, with addresses, and contact your Rotary district chairman. He/She will most likely not know that information yet. |
| How many outbound students are there originating from Central States? |
This number will vary from year to year but has been between 250-350 the past few years. |
| Wait, I don't understand, my local club said I got to choose what country I stay in. Is that wrong?? Do I get to pick where I go?? |
As part of the application you will fill out a country preference sheet. You will "rank" the countries in the order of preference that you would like to be assigned. We will always try to honor your first request and at all times keep your country assignment near the top of your list but there are only so many spots open in each country. As an example, Australia will always have 100 or more request for the 8-10 positions available. |
| When should I apply for my passport? |
Immediately, if not sooner. You will normally be reminded to do so in your acceptance letter or in your first orientation seminar. |
| Why do I have to buy my airline ticket through the designated travel agent? I can buy the ticket cheaper online. |
The ticket required for our program is "special". It is a round trip ticket, good for 1 year from first date of travel, open return type ticket, direct to the host country and cannot use charters, wholesalers or any Third Party ticket agreements. You will not be able to buy this type of ticket online. It is not likely you will be able to find a better deal than is offered by the designated travel agent when you consider the extra items that are included that make your travel easier. These things are covered in detail at the orientation seminar with the travel agent. |
| Will I get school credit for my exchange year? |
This is always a tough question because it varies from school to school and country to country. You should sit down with your school counselors when you apply and when you know what country you are going to for your year. Preplanning makes a big difference. If you have question contact your Youth Exchange Officer or the District Coordinator/Chairman. |
| When should I apply for my visa? |
You don't have to apply for the visa. The travel agency will apply for you. It is done using the guarantee/visa application form that you filled out in the application. |
| How long is the actual exchange? |
The actual time varies...but you will most likely be out of the country for about 11 months. It could be as short as 10.5 months or as long as 12 month. The "program" is about 2 years long when you consider the application, orientation, exchange and return programs. |
| When would I leave to go to another country? |
Most Summer departures are in August and Winter exchanges leave in February. There is about a 5 week window for departures. |
| When do I need to apply to be an Exchange Student? |
The most popular exchange period is the summer departure exchange, leaving in August and returning the following July. Applications for this program should be submitted in October. |
| How many families will I stay with during my exchange year? |
Depending on the country you go to you will have between 1 and 4 families. The most common number of families is 3. |
| Will I get any help preparing for my year in another country? |
YES! That is one of the things that makes this program work so well. You will have multiple orientation sessions as well as resources to make your year the best it can be. |
| Is there any future advantage to being a Rotary Exchange Student? |
Yes! Past history has indicated that having the Rotary Exchange Year on you college application carries more weight in many cases than your GPA, class ranking or even ACT score. Colleges are looking for students that are going to successfully complete their studies and graduate. By completing a full year exchange in another culture you are showing them that you have the "right stuff". You do not even need a high school diploma to be accepted to a college or university. (You will need the equivalent of a GED to graduate from the college) You need to meet their entrance criteria. Future employers will take similar views of your years experience. |
| When will I find out what city and family I will go to and stay with during my year? |
Generally you will hear something about 2-3 months after you have applied tht you find out to what country you are going. Sometimes it does come down to the wire. It is the second "big wait". About 1-2 months before you leave that you find out the city, Rotary Club and first host parents names. |
| How much will it cost me to be a Rotary Exchange Student? |
The only major cost you will have is the plane ticket. You will have some minor costs that might total a couple of hundred dollars. Check with your local Youth Exchange Officer to get the exact amount as it varies slightly. There are funds for needy families. |
| Do I need to speak a foreign language to participate in the Rotary Exchange Program? |
No. It might help if you have had some second language but it isn't needed. Languages for some of the countries we exchange with are not offered in the schools. You will have ample time to get a step up on it before you go. This is covered in the orientation sessions. You will return very fluent in the local language. |
| Are there any orientation sessions for my parents? |
There are orientations sessions at the same time you have orientation. |
| What if I have problems during my exchange year? |
The design of the Rotary Exchange program is such that if you have problems we have the Rotarians to help you solve the problems. You will have multiple avenues of help available to you to resolve any problem that might come up. |
| When will I know if I have been accepted into the exchange program? |
Generally you will find out within 5 weeks of your District interview. |
| What are the most commonly asked questions that take place during an exchange interview. |
There are no commonly asked questions unless you include the "Tell us little about yourself that isn't in the application". There is no way to "study" for the interview. There is no need to be nervous. (Although you most likely will be) There are no "right" or "wrong" answers during the interview. The interview is simply a process to get to know you better to make sure that you are right for the program and that the program is right for you. It is also a learning process. You might not be up on current affairs and the interview team might suggest you spend some time getting a better understanding of the world in general before you go. Or maybe they will bring up that green hair, Although no big deal here, might set you up for some interesting problems in another country. The best advise is simply to answer the questions honestly. Take your time to think out your answer. And...LISTEN to what you say! |
