PROGRAMS OF ROTARIANS - Rotary Down Under

ROTARY YOUTH
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
(YEP)
The Youth Exchange Program is an international program which provides
young people with the opportunity to experience life in a different
country, culture and environment for up to one year.
The program is an extremely rewarding experience for all who
participate whether they are a student, club members, host families,
district personnel or the wider host community. Most youth exchange
students participate in the year-long program, spending their year
abroad studying at a host school and living with 3-4 host families. A
smaller number participate in short term exchanges of up to three months. These two
programs are for students aged 15 to 18 whilst the new generations exchange provides a
similar opportunity for 18 to 25 year olds. The major objective is to further international
goodwill and understanding by enabling students to study first hand some of the problems
and accomplishments of people in lands other than their own. There is an ambassadorial role
implied in the exchange with students being expected to impart as much knowledge as they
can about their own country as well as sharing that knowledge upon their return.
Applicants can be children of Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians and are accepted by a
sponsoring Rotary club after interview and club selection. Final selection and nomination
resides with the district youth exchange committee. All students and their parents take part in
a thorough orientation and briefing program.
Outbound students are responsible for the provision of round trip airfares, clothing,
comprehensive health and travel insurance and incidental expenses. The host Rotary club
accepts the responsibility for food and lodging with arrangements made for a regular
monthly living allowance and school requirements.
As an exchange program, Rotary clubs wishing to nominate & sponsor a student should be
prepared to arrange reciprocal hosting for an inbound student. It is usual for hosting over the
twelve-month period to be shared by several families with the Rotary club offering support
and guidance throughout. Host families can come from within the Rotary club or from non-
Rotarian families. A Rotarian counsellor is appointed to coordinate activities as well as
providing advisory support to the student.
The district YEP committee provides an overall support structure to assist club exchanges. It
initiates international contacts, selects and briefs outbound students, welcomes and
orientates inbound students, provides district counsellors to monitor progress.
In today’s society all persons who have contact with students or young people under the
age of 18 are required to have background checks carried out. Rotary districts world wide
participating in youth exchange are required to be certified with Rotary International whilst
participating clubs are required to be certified with their District Youth Exchange Committee.
For further information: Frank Portelli
Ph: +61 2 4735 4199 Mob: 0419 410 831
Email: alsini@bigpond.com Web: www.rotaryyouthexchange.org.au
NZ contact via: www.youthexchange.rotarysouthpacific.org
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