Programs
Students
Host families
Rotarians
Programs
Rotary Youth Exchange is open to young people ages 15-25 worldwide. There are two basic types of exchanges: short-term and long-term.
Short-term exchange
General short-term exchange
Ages 15-19
Several days to several weeks long
Don’t involve attending high school, but students can tailor their experience to match their interests
Can include homestays, tours, and international youth camps
New Generations Exchange
Ages 18-25
Three to six weeks
Ideal for recent secondary school graduates
Can include homestays, tours, camps, or specialized internships
Read more in the short-term Youth Exchange brochure (PDF).
Long-term exchange
Ages 15-19
One year
Involves living with a few host families and attending a local school
Read more in the long-term Youth Exchange brochure (PDF).
Students
How do I qualify?
Above-average student with demonstrated leadership in the community
Open to new experiences and cultural differences
Sponsored by a local Rotary club
Completed written application and in-person interview
How much will it cost?
Youth Exchange is coordinated at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs. Costs vary greatly from one area to another. Typically, students and their parents cover the following expenses:
Round-trip airfare
Health and accident insurance
Travel documents
Clothing and other necessities
Spending money
Emergency funds for unpredicted expenses
Ancillary travel and tours
In most clubs and districts, students do not pay placement fees, so those with financial constraints can share the exchange experience.
Sharing in the costs are host families (who pay for room and board), the host community (who cover school tuition and arrangements) and host Rotary club (who offer a small stipend of usually US$50-100 monthly.)
What are my responsibilities?
As a Youth Exchange student, you agree to:
Act as an ambassador for your home country
Abide by all program rules of your host Rotary club and district
Accept the supervision of the host family, club, and district
Ask questions of your host family and local Rotarians
Be an active participant in your exchange
Where will my exchange be?
Exchanges can take place in more than 150 countries and geographical areas. Please note, however, that the countries you visit depend on your home Rotary district. Contact your local club or district for more information. Locate the club nearest to you through Club Locator or your local phone listings, or find out whether a club or district has listed its Web site with Rotary International.
Do you offer scholarships or university programs?
RI doesn’t offer scholarships or university programs specifically for Youth Exchange students, but local Rotary clubs and districts may offer financial assistance. Contact Rotarians in your area to find out. If you’re interested in university programs, explore Rotary Foundation scholarships.
I’m interested. How do I apply?
Youth Exchange is administered by Rotary clubs and districts. Contact Rotarians in your area to apply. Read more.
Ambassadorial Scholarships, The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program, was founded in 1947. Since then, nearly 38,000 men and women from about 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Nearly 800 scholarships were awarded for study in 2005-06. Through grants totaling approximately US$500 million, recipients from about 70 countries studied in more than 70 nations.
"The Rotary Foundation does some terrific things, not the least of which is the Ambassadorial Scholarships program." — Michael R. Whiteman, international programs director, University of Idaho
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.
Generous contributions from Rotarians worldwide represent a continued faith that today’s Ambassadorial Scholars will be tomorrow's community and world leaders.
Apply for a chance to make a difference .
Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution
How to apply
Interested candidates must apply for Rotary World Peace Fellowships through their local Rotary club. Use the Club Locator to find Rotary club contact information. If your hometown doesn’t have a Rotary club, try entering the names of nearby cities. You also can try searching for Rotary club Web sites. If you have difficulty finding or contacting a Rotary club in your area, contact Rotary Centers staff for assistance.
Fellowship types
Applicants can choose from two Rotary World Peace Fellowship options:
1) Master's degree
Six centers, seven universities
15- to 24-month course
Study timelines differ according to each university’s schedule
Up to 10 new fellows at each center each year; up to 60 fellows per year
Two- to three-month practical internship during summer break
Building the leaders of tomorrow
2) Professional development certificate
One center, one university
3-month course
Two sessions per year (January-April and June-August)
Up to 25 new fellows in each session; up to 50 fellows per year
Two to three weeks of field study incorporated into curriculum
Strengthening the leaders of today
Eligibility Criteria
A strong commitment to international understanding and peace demonstrated through professional and academic achievements and personal and community service activities
A bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience as a minimum, with strong academic achievement
A minimum of three years’ combined paid or unpaid full-time relevant work experience (master’s degree) or five years’ relevant work experience with current full-time employment in a mid- to upper-level position (professional development certificate)
Proficiency in a second language (master’s degree) or in English (professional development certificate)
Strong leadership skills
Individuals applying immediately after obtaining an undergraduate degree are generally not strong candidates for Rotary World Peace Fellowships. People with disabilities and members of Rotaract clubs are eligible and encouraged to apply.
The following people are ineligible for master’s degree Rotary World Peace Fellowships but may apply for the professional development certificate on an exception basis:
Active and honorary Rotarians
Employees of a Rotary club, RI district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity
Spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren by blood or legal adoption), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors (parents or grandparents by blood) of any living person in the categories above
Former Rotarians and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of resignation)
Application process
The fellowship application and selection process consists of three levels: club, district, and world. There is no limit to the number of qualified candidates a club and/or district may submit to the world competition.
Club Level
Interested applicants should download Rotary World Peace Fellowship applications. Applicants should submit completed applications to their local Rotary club, not to the Rotary Centers university partners or The Rotary Foundation.
Individual Rotary clubs initially screen and select fellowship applications to forward to the district level for competition. Club deadlines may be as early as March or as late as June for Rotary World Peace Fellowships and vary by club district deadlines.
For more information, contact www.smyrnarotary.com
