Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time.

Rotary’s Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) presents opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to visit a different, non-English speaking country for a limited period of time. Participating students live with a matched student and their family in their selected country for 3 – 4 weeks in the summer under the sponsorship of a local Rotary Club. The students also spend 3-4 weeks here in D6930. There is an application process for the students and their families.

For more information, contact Walt Imperatore at walteri@aol.com or visit https://www.exchangestudent.org/short-term-program/

Long-term exchanges last a full academic year, and students attend local schools and live with multiple host families in the same school district.  Students will learn a new language, culture, and make new friends while sharing their own culture and being a good ambassador for East Central Florida. Contact ellencruse@comcast.net or visit https://www.exchangestudent.org/high-school-abroad/ for more information.

Current available countries can be found here: https://www.exchangestudent.org/long-term-exchange-countries/

Room and board are provided, as well as any school fees. The cost of the exchange is typically $6,500 to $7,000 including:

• Round-trip airfare with an open ended return ticket
• Health insurance
• Travel documents (such as passports and visas)
• Training sessions and tools

How can I apply?

Candidates are ages 14-17 and are good students with a sense of adventure. Students should begin their application in August or September. Local interviews are in early October and District Interviews are in mid-October.

Visit https://www.exchangestudent.org/how-to-apply-for-long-term-exchange/ for the application.  Feel free to contact ellencruse@comcast.net with any questions.