For the Parents of the Outbound Exchange Student

Rotary International Youth Exchange is one of the best opportunities for your son or daughter to broaden their horizons and understand the World in which their future rests.

The Rotary Difference

Our discription of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program has objectives that are good reason to be involved with most exchange programs. The Rotary International Youth Exchange Program has more:

• Security
  Rotary has a fail-safe network consisting of a District Youth Exchange Chairperson, a Rotary Club Youth Director, a Club Counselor and finally the Host Parents. This complex system assures that many eyes are watching over your son or daughter. No other exchange program can boast such a claim.
   
• Economy
  Rotary provides an opportunity for International Youth Exchange and charges only a minimal $200 application fee. No other exchange organization can provide such a superior exchange program and certainly not at the minimal cost of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. All hosting Rotary Clubs offer the student a monthly cost of living stipend. Some sponsoring Rotary Clubs offer scholarships or other financial aid to the outbound student.
   
• Supervision
  Rotary has rules. Rules have been developed which reflect a long history of international youth exchanges. You can be assured that the rules are designed in the best interest of your child. The enforcement will be just and tempered by our organizational structure. Your child will not be judged by one host parent, or one regional advisor. In the event of a misunderstanding the student will have the opportunity to discuss the issue with the Host parent, the Club Counselor, the Club Youth Director, the Club President, the Area District Co-Chair and finally the District Chairperson.
   
• Character Development
  No other program involves the Youth Exchange Student in so many activities that build leadership and enhance responsibility as does the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. The student will be encouraged and assisted in addressing the Host Rotary Club. The student will be involved socially with the prominent leaders of the community. Rotarians in European, Scandinavian, South American and Asian countries are invariably the leaders of their communities. Students will mature and develop character while participating in any exchange program. Rotary offers the assurance that opportunity will be given for this development of character to be of the highest quality. Supervision and Rotarian involvement are the keys to such development. When your son or daughter returns we will ask them to provide their sponsoring club with a program describing their year abroad. The student will become knowledgeable of Rotary International and the World and community services we provide.

What Should A Parent Be Prepared For?

• The Decision
  Discuss the concept of international exchanges with your child. Compare the options. Should the exchange be during High School years or after graduation. Each has advantages and each has complications. Support your child but do not "talk them into" becoming an exchange student.
   
• The Preparation
  Encourage your son or daughter to develop their language skills. Lack of language skills will not eliminate anyone from the program, however, begin building them immediately. Many countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, will provide a high intensity language course soon after the student arrives. There may be additional fees for these courses so be prepared or ask your outbound counselor to research the question.
  
  Encourage the student to save money. If it is the student's money that is being spent it becomes a much more meaningful experience.
  
  Rotary has no affiliation or interest in any insurance company, travel agency or other commercial service related to you student's exchange year. However, we do have experience with several services that have proven to be very helpful:
  
  BOKOFF KAPLAN TRAVEL SERVICES
  113 Salem Turnpike
  Norwich, Ct 06360
  800-888-5275 Office
  860-886-1853 FAX
  www.bokoffkaplan.com
  
  This company is particularly helpful in getting the student's visa. They will provide this service regardless of your using them for traditional airline booking. They are well aware of the requirements of the program, but be certain that you remind them that this is for a Rotary Exchange and that the ticket purchased must be an "open ended" return.
  
  IT'S YOUR WORLD TRAVEL
  1411 East Olive Way - Upper Level
  Seattle, Washington 98122
  800-955-6077
  206-328-0616 Office
  206-324-2512 FAX
  E-mail: ed@iywt.com
  www.iywt.com
  
  This company is particularly helpful in booking tickets to South American destinations. This company is a full service travel agency but has a staff of 6 that are dedicated exclusively to Rotary Youth exchanges, handling over 1200 per year. They help each student acquire necessary visas and will patiently assist in all travel needs. This company serves Rotary students all over the West Coast and is very familiar with the complicated process and many documents required for Rotary International Youth Exchange.
   
  1. If you elect to pursue this through your local travel agency be certain that you remember to request a ticket that has an "open ended" return. The student must be able to return with essentially no notice. This is in the event of an emergency or in the event that the student is deemed incompatible with the program.
      
  2. Remember you must have the "school guarantee" form, which is provided by the Rotary Counselor in the country of the exchange, before you can get a long-term student visa
      
  3. Do not rush out and buy a bargain ticket. Do not buy tickets until you have assurance from Rotary that the dates have been assigned. Most foreign Rotary districts have specific dates they want your child to arrive. But remember summer travel can be very busy. Be sure you book your flight as soon as you know the appropriate destination and date.
      
  4. Contact the airlines and determine luggage limitations.
      
  5. Rotary requires specific medical insurance. Ask your district chair to provide the information necessary before purchasing insurance.
      
  6. Provide the student with family photos, local tourism information and information about the economy, entertainment and social structure of your community. The exchange student will be asked to present an informational program to the host Rotary Club. Slides are very helpful and well received by Rotary Clubs. Discuss this with your local Rotary Club Counselor. Often the club will have a slide package that your son or daughter may enhance with personal slide additions.
      
  7. Your student will be expected to purchase a standardized blue blazer. It is a tradition that this be worn during travel and at Rotary events. Students love to adorn the blazer with pins and buttons depicting where they are from and where they have been. By the time your child comes home the blazer will be covered with memory provoking pins and buttons.
      
• The Departure
  Assist your child in packing their luggage for international travel. Apron strings are tough to cut. Gain solace from the fact that this is going to be one of the most memorable years in your son or daughter's life.
   
• During the Year
  Write letters often. Send photos. Send little packages of goodies. Limit telephone calls. Telephone calls increase homesickness. It is best that you call no more often than once each 3 weeks. The less the student speaks his or her native language the sooner the new language will become second nature. Ask relatives and friends to write your child. Avoid sharing bad news unless it is absolutely necessary. Nothing makes a child more homesick. Visiting your child can be a great experience for both you and the child. Make your visit near the end of the exchange year. Coordinate the visit with the student's host family as early as possible. Don't buy airline tickets and then find out that it is a bad time to visit.
   
• Know the Cycle!
  Your son or daughter will go through periods of emotional highs and lows. Help them through the tough times illustrated by our graph. Be supportive, but don't think their state of mind is unique. Almost all students in this program will experience this in some form or another.
   
• Your Connection
  Always feel comfortable communicating with the Rotarians of the sponsoring Rotary Club.
  
  If you become aware of your son or daughter experiencing problems in their Host country, Rotary is prepared to respond. Tell your home club counselor who will confer with the district chair. Do not call the foreign Rotary district! Rotary will always appreciate your application to serve as a Host family to students from around the World. It really is a small, small world after all!
   

Back to Top

---