It offers each student the opportunity to experience the culture and customs of a foreign country and share the culture and customs of his/her own country.

And while they are learning, the people around them are learning too, because every Rotary Exchange Student is also a young ambassador, sharing their ideas, sharing their culture, and making friends in a distant part of the world.

If all of this sounds exciting then we invite you to apply for a Rotary International Youth Exchange. It just might be the beginning of a great experience, the

EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFETIME!

WHAT IS SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE?

Short-Term Exchange is an 6-week summer exchange program. Applicants are matched with a student in Europe. Matches are based on the student's country of preference, age, gender, hobbies and interests. The U.S. or Canadian exchange student travels to Europe to spend 3 weeks with his/her matched European student. After 3 weeks the European student and the U.S./Canadian student return to the U.S./Canadian student's home to spend the final 3 weeks of the exchange in District 5080!

The purpose of the program is:

	To promote international peace, goodwill and understanding through an 6-week family-to-family international exchange.
	To provide the opportunity for students within Rotary District 5080 to experience international travel and spend 3 weeks with a foreign host family.
	To provide the opportunity for foreign students to experience international travel and to spend 3 weeks living with a family in Rotary District 5080.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ROTARY CLUB

If you are interested in applying for Rotary Youth Exchange you will need to begin by contacting your local Rotary Club.

	Students who live within Rotary District 5080 (Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington, Southern British Columbia (Click here to see map) can send us an email and we will let you know who to contact in your area. Make sure you include the name of your town in the email.
	Students who live outside of Rotary District 5080 can submit your name directly to Rotary International by visiting the youth exchange web page and completing the form at the bottom of the page.

CURRENT FEES

The Summer 2007 fee for American or Canadian students is US $1,850

The Short Term fee in District 5080 covers the following items:

	Round-trip airfare to/from your European destination.
	Medical insurance for your time abroad
	Orientation and supplies.

This fee does not include:

	Passport
	Modest gift for Host Family
	Reasonable amount of spending money. In most cases the easiest way for parents to provide funds to their children overseas will be via credit cards or with ATM cards. ATM cards allow funds to be deposited in the USA or Canada and then withdrawn overseas.
	Room, Board, recreational and sightseeing costs for the foreign student's visit. (The European host family will provide similar items for the US/Canadian student.)

SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE CALENDAR: IMPORTANT DATES

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

Clubs distribute program brochures and applications. Click here to Download Application Form.

END OF JANUARY

Clubs collect completed applications and Country Preference Forms. Clubs check applications and schedule interviews.

EARLY FEBRUARY

Clubs interview students/parents, and visit applicants homes.

MID FEBRUARY

Clubs forward applications, Country Preference Forms and Fees to Jim Berdal (YEC short-term coordinator).

APRIL/MAY

Jim Notifies students of matches as they are confirmed.

SATURDAY, MAY 5th

Students/Parents attend 1/2 day orientation at Camp Lutherhaven (Bloomsday weekend).

LATE JUNE

Students depart for 3 weeks in Europe.

Mid JULY

Students return with their European counterpatrs.

Mid-AUGUST

European students depart for home.

ORIENTATION FOR OUTBOUND STUDENTS

Orientation for Summer 2007 Short-Term Exchangers will be held Saturday, May 5th at Camp Lutherhaven, South of Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho. All Short-Term Exchangers and at least one parent are required to attend.

QUALIFICATIONS & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

	Students selected for exchange must be at least 15 years old, but not yet 19 when you leave on exchange.
	Children of Rotary parents are eligible for exchange but they receive no special status in the selection process.
	Students selected for exchange should have an inquiring mind and be actively interested in their own environment. They should be well-rounded individuals.
	Students must understand and abide by Rotary Youth Exchange Rules and be able to adapt to their host families and host country

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Travel Arrangements: Colville Travel - Attn: Kay Martens

Short-Term exchange travel arrangements are made with Colville Travel, a company withg over 20 years experience employing a full staff of professional travel agents.

http://www.colvilletravel.com

PROGRAM RULES

All Rotary Exchange students are expected to abide by rules that are established by Rotary International, hosting districts, and their home district. Failure to abide by Rotary rules may result in a student being sent back to his or her home country. Certain rules are standard throughout Rotary; individual districts may also have additional rules.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Be willing and able to host a foreign student in your home for a three-week period.

Be willing and able to provide recreational and sightseeing opportunities for the foreign student during his/her visit.

Provide a check for US$925 payable to Rotary D-5080 Y.E.C. with the Application

Attend the required orientation meeting in May and pay the remaining US$925.

Encourage your son/daughter to act as a goodwill ambassador while on exchange.

APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES

Complete applications NEATLY and give them to your local Rotary Club representative along with a Country Preference Form.

Attend the Rotary Club interview with your parents.

Upon acceptance and notification of a match, learn about the country you will be visiting.

Apply for your passport.

Attend the required orientation meeting with your parents.

LEARNING LINKS