Here is the process to start your exchange adventure for 2009 - 10:

1. Student completes the "Preliminary Application" and turns it into their local Rotary Club. If you encounter difficulty in contacting a Rotary Club or need more information, please contact any member of the Youth Exchange Committee.
2. Student and parents are interviewed by local Rotary Club.
3. If student passes the local interview, they will then complete the full application form (electronically) and turn that in along with a $50 non-refundable application fee to the club Youth Exchange Officer (YEO).
4. The student and their parents will be interviewed at the district level in November.
5. If the student passes the district interview, their completed application goes to Central States (a multi-district Youth Exchange Organization) for processing, and country selection. At this time, there are 46 countries that we exchange with.
6. Start applying for a passport ASAP. VISAs will be done by the official travel agent.
7. Students will find out what country they will be visiting, (usually around April) and will begin making travel plans.
8. All students and parents attend a weekend Youth Exchange conference at Calvin College in Grand Rapids for Outbound Orientation hosted by the Central States Organization. They will have the opportunity to meet students from the countries they will be going to, as well as students that have just returned from exchanges - very good source of information.

You can find lots more information about this and other youth programs sponsored by
Rotary International.