Rules
and Conditions of Exchange
As
a Youth Exchange student sponsored by a Rotary club or district, you
must agree to the following rules and conditions of exchange. Please
note that individual clubs may edit this document or insert additional
rules if needed to account for local conditions.
1.
You must obey the laws of the host country. If found guilty of violating
any law, you can expect no assistance from your sponsors or native country.
You must return home at your own expense as soon as released by authorities.
2. You are not allowed to possess or use illegal drugs. Medicine
prescribed to you by a physician is allowed.
3. The illegal drinking of alcoholic beverages is expressly forbidden.
Students who are of legal age should refrain. If your host family offers
you an alcoholic drink, it is permissible to accept it under their supervision
in the home.
4. You may not operate a motorized vehicle or participate in
driver education programs.
5. You will be under the host district’s authority while
you are an exchange student and must abide by the rules and conditions
of exchange provided by the host district. Parents or legal guardians
must not authorize any extra activities directly to you. Any relatives
you may have in the host country will have no authority over you while
you are in the program.
6. You must attend school regularly and make an honest attempt
to succeed.
7. You must have travel insurance that provides medical and dental
coverage for accidental injury and illness, death benefits (including
repatriation of remains), disability / dismemberment benefits, emergency
medical evacuation, emergency visitation expenses, 24-hour emergency
assistance services, and legal services, in amounts satisfactory to
the host Rotary club or district in consultation with the sponsor Rotary
club or district, with coverage from the time of your departure from
your home country until your return.
8. You should have sufficient financial support to assure your
well-being during your exchange. Your host district may require a contingency
fund for emergency situations. Unused funds will be returned to your
parents or legal guardians at the end of your exchange.
9. You must follow the travel rules of your host district. Travel
is permitted with host parents or for Rotary club or district functions
authorized by the host Rotary club or district with proper adult chaperones.
The host district and club, host family, and your parents or legal guardians
must approve any other travel in writing, thus exempting Rotary of responsibility
and liability.
10. You must return home directly by a route mutually agreeable
to your host district and your parents or legal guardians.
11. Any costs related to an early return home or any other unusual
costs (language tutoring, tours, etc.) are the responsibility of you
and your parents or legal guardians.
12. You should communicate with your first host family prior
to leaving your home country. The family’s information must be
provided to you by your host club or district prior to your departure.
13. Visits by your parents or legal guardians, siblings, or friends
while you are on exchange are strongly discouraged. Such visits may
only take place with the host club’s and district’s consent
and within their guidelines. Typically, visits may be arranged only
in the last quarter of the exchange or during school breaks and are
not allowed during major holidays.
14. Talk with your host club counselor, host parents, or other
trusted adult if you encounter any form of abuse or harassment.
