Youth Exchange Scholarship
What an adventure you have in front of you! No matter if you end up representing Rotary International and our International Canada/USA District 5020 as a Rotary Youth Exchange Scholar for a full year, or if you become part of our Short-Term Summer Exchange Program, you’ll have an experience that will change your life forever.
"Creating World Peace
One Exchange Student at a Time"
APPLYING FOR THE YOUTH EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP
Provided by your Local Rotary Clubs
What is it: Over 8000 students worldwide will be offered the opportunity to study abroad for one academic year of high school. This scholarship is valued at up to $24,000.
The Youth Exchange Scholarship (D5020)
Included Not Included
Room and board Program fee (Approx. $1200)
School tuition Airfare and travel
Monthly stipend Insurance
In-country Orientations Passport & visa
Certified Administered Program Miscellaneous
As a Long Term Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country. While you are there your sponsor club (the club that interviews you and sends you out) will become a host club for a student coming in from one of our 25 partner countries. As a Youth Exchange Scholar you are expected to assist your sponsor club in identifying three great families in your community that are willing to participate in the program and be host families. One of those families can certainly be your own but that is not required and that is a choice made by your family.
Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and a new language. You’ll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process.
Now that you know what it is – what is your next step?
- Check out our District 5020 website: www.rye5020.org and discover more great information.
- Find a local club near you to see if they participate in the Youth Exchange Program
- Bring your family to one of our information nights held each September (usually at your local High School). Look for announcements regarding the date(s)
- Schedule an interview to be considered for the scholarship
- If selected complete the full application and attend the 1 day district interviews with your parents in Victoria BC (usually held the first Saturday in December)
- Prepare for the most amazing year of your life….so far!
Outbound Exchange Student Timeline for Long Term Program
YEAR 1
-
September: Attend an information session presented by your local Rotary Club Youth Exchange Committee
-
Schedule your personal interview along with one or more parent(s) in attendance with you
-
Prepare your local application to bring to your local interview.
-
If accepted to proceed to the Long Term Program District Level Interviews you will:
-
Work on your district level application (normally takes 3-5 weeks to complete!).
-
November 1: Deadline for completed Long Term Program applications
-
1st weekend December: District interviews in Victoria for Long Term Program
-
December 15: Find out if you’re accepted and which country you will be going to
The adventure has begun!
-
Decemember - August: Study in earnest your new host country language
-
January: Program fee due to Rotary District 5020
-
March: Two day Orientation to be attended by one or both parents along with the student
-
April-July: Find out what city in your country you’re going to
-
July – September: Long-term students leave
YEAR 2
- August - July - Gone on exchange
- Monthly: Send reports back home to your sponsor club and your Country Officer in D 5020
YEAR 3
-
June – July: long-term students returns to the USA/Canada
-
August: Rebound reunion weekend for long-term students
-
September: Schedule a program on your year away with your sponsor club
-
September: Let your sponsor club know you are available to participate in local interviews and mentor next years candidates.
-
December: If invited; particiape in the District Level Interviews in Victoria
-
March: If invited: participate in the District two day Outbound Orientaiton in Victoria