Outbounds

About

District 6220’s Rotary Youth Exchange study abroad program offers a unique international, cultural and educational experience for qualified students from Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Exchanges typically take place during the junior or senior year of high school, or as a gap year after high school graduation.

Rotary Youth Exchange Objectives

Develop international understanding and goodwill
Become fully immersed in another culture
Share your cultural values with others

Applicant Qualifications

Age 15.5 to 18.5 at the time of departure (August 1)
Have a GPA of at least 2.75, or be in the top 50% of your class
Have full support of your parents
Attend 3 mandatory orientation conferences (Fall, Spring/Winter, Summer)
Be open to new experiences and cultural differences
Foreign language experience is NOT required
Participation in extra-curricular activities and organizations is helpful
Follow the rules of the program and be able to accept counsel and advice from Rotary volunteers
You will attend high school full-time in your host country (even if you’ve already graduated from high school in the USA) and be a student ambassador, sharing your own culture and adapting to your host country’s culture

Picking your host country

We cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to a particular country. However, during the application process, you will be asked to consider a list of about 40 countries and prioritize your top picks among those for which you are qualified (some countries limit access based on language ability, age, and diet or health considerations). Click here for more information on country selection.

While in your host country, you will receive

One year’s education at a public or private high school
A host family who will provide room and board and other support during your exchange year
The opportunity to travel in the country and region

Cost of the Long-Term Exchange Program

The cost for 2025 travelers is $6,800, which includes the following:

Round trip airfare and your visa to your assigned country
Health and accident insurance during your year abroad
Training conferences for students and parents – Fall and Winter
July Central States conference for students
Language camps (if required by your host country)

Sounds great! What do I do now?

Process

Contact your local Rotary club to ask about their process for the RYE program. Locate your local Rotary Club here. District 6220 Rotary Clubs. Some local Rotary clubs may not participate in RYE. Can’t find a local Rotary Club? Contact us!
Deadline for applying is up to the local Rotary club–usually in September
Once you’re selected by your club, you and your parent(s) will attend the District 6220 Fall Orientation Conference (mid-October)
Complete the Long-Term Program exchange application (directions on how to complete are given at the Fall Conference).
By early January, you’ll get your country assignment!
You and your parent(s) will attend the District 6220 Winter Orientation Conference (late February or early March)
Make your travel arrangements (don’t worry, we’ll help you!)
Make plans for the big Central States Rotary Youth Exchange Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan in July. You will join over 1,100 fellow exchange students! It’s a big deal!
Get ready to go overseas to your host country, your new home, your new family, and your new school!

Rules and Conditions of Exchange

Rotary Youth Exchange takes pride as a volunteer-driven organization that takes safety at the utmost priority. See the below button that links to our rules and conditions of exchange.

Rules and Conditions of Exchange

RYE 6220 Outbound Interest Form

Students and/or parents interested in more information about exchange programs.

Student's Name(Required)

First Last

I am interested in:

Long Term Exchange (11 months)

Short Term Exchange – summer

Both

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Informational Meeting about exchange

Phone

Student Date of Birth – (determines eligibility)

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Local Rotary Club – if you know it

Comments or questions

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