District 5300
Youth Exchange

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Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program has been in existence since 1927. Thousands of high school students travel abroad each year to experience the culture and language of people around the world. http://www.rotary.org/programs/youth_ex/history.html

District 5300 is part of a multi-district exchange program called Rotary YES (Youth Exchange Services) www.scanex.org  formerly known as SCANEX. Our multi-districts include those in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Utah.

Each student is sponsored by a Rotary club (sending club) and hosted by a hosting Rotary club (accepting club). A qualified student applicant should be willing to experience different foods, cultures, and customs, but moreover, be a good ambassador of his or her family, community, Rotary club, and country. See Rotary Youth Exchange Primer http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/752.pdf  It is also important that the student and his or her family understands the basics of Rotary and what Rotary does around the world. See http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/001en.pdf or  http://www.rotary.org/aboutrotary/index.html

There are two types of exchanges for students between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. In both types of exchanges, the student can request up to three countries, however these are not guaranteed. Students CAN be the children of Rotarians for both types of exchanges.

Long Term Rotary Youth Exchange
Short Term Rotary Youth Exhange
Sponsoring Club Information
Hosting Club Information
Calendar for Youth Exchange

LONG TERM ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

The first type of exchange is the Long Term Exchange. This exchange lasts for one year. The student attends school in the hosting country, and stays with up to three host families in that year. Each student is assigned a Rotary Club Counselor from the hosting club, whom meets with the student on a regular basis to ensure that the exchange is going smoothly. The basic cost to an outgoing student is $4,300.00 that includes travel, visa, food, lodging, school tuition and health insurance. In addition the student should bring a sum of $1,000.00 as an emergency fund. Hosting clubs provide the student with a monthly-predetermined allowance.

The sponsoring club provides the student with a Rotary blazer, club banners and club pins for the student to exchange abroad.  The cost for a club to sponsor a long-term student is $150.00-200.00.  The cost for a club to host a long-term student includes: Monthly Allowance, RYLA, TLC, Interact Symposium, District Conference, required orientation.

Steps for an Outbound Long-term Rotary Youth Exchange Student:

  1. Contact your local Rotary Club to ensure the club will sponsor you as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. http://www.rotary.org/support/clubs/index.html

  2. Request that your sponsoring Rotary club call or email Linda Logan, to inform her that the exchange is authorized, and in progress llogan57@aol.com

  3. Complete the application form:  Note: We are District 5300; please indicate three country choices on the front of the application. Incomplete applications cannot be considered

  4. NOTE: The student and parents/ guardians should only complete the top and sections A and B of the Guarantee Form / Visa Application. You will NOT know which hosting country or district number to insert. Pay close attention to the format of the dates…they are European format.

  5. Return the application form with a $500.00 deposit made payable to “Rotary YES / SCANEX” to Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA 91723

  6. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: SEPTEMBER 30
    Your application is then sent to the appropriate Country Coordinator for placement abroad. The earlier you submit your application, the better!

Note: The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is not a vacation. Each student is an ambassador or the United States and Rotary International. Youth Exchange students are expected to attend school on a regular basis, follow all rules of the exchange, the rules set by your host families, laws of the hosting country and adhere to the values your parents have instilled in you. In addition, the student is expected to participate in the events of the hosting Rotary Club and District.

SHORT TERM ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

The second type of exchange is the Short Term Exchange. This exchange lasts 3-4 weeks and is a direct exchange. Each student that goes abroad must be willing to host a student from his or her host family. In the short-term exchange, the student stays with one family. The cost to the student includes travel of approximately $2,200.00, any required insurances, and spending money. No allowance is given by hosting clubs in the short term exchange program.
The sponsoring club provides the student with a club banner, and a few club pins for the student to exchange while abroad.

Steps for an Outbound Short-term Rotary Exchange Student:

  1. Contact your local Rotary Club to ensure the club will sponsor you as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. http://www.rotary.org/support/clubs/index.html

  2. Request that your sponsoring Rotary club call or email Linda Logan, to inform her that the exchange is authorized, and in progress llogan57@aol.com

  3. Complete the application form: Note: We are District 5300, please indicate three country choices on the front of the application. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

  4. Return the application form with a $500.00 deposit made payable to “Rotary YES / SCANEX” to Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA 91723

  5. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: January 31

Note: The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is not a vacation. Youth Exchange students are expected to follow all rules of the exchange, the rules set by your host families, laws of the hosting country and adhere to the values your parents have instilled in you.

For more information on the Rotary Youth Exchange program, please go to http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/746en.pdf

SPONSORING CLUB INFORMATION

The sponsoring Rotary Club is the club sending the student abroad. Sponsoring a Rotary Youth Exchange student provides our children with a great opportunity to learn other cultures, and immerse in foreign languages that will broaden their horizons.

Long-term Rotary Youth Exchange Student:
A long-term Rotary Youth Exchange student will cost the club approximately $200.00. This includes a blue Rotary blazer, club pins and banners to exchange while abroad, and gifts for the student during the holidays and his or her birthday.

Your club will need to provide a counselor for the sponsored student. The counselor should stay in touch with the student during the entire exchange. Any problems or questions should be directed to the Youth Exchange Officer (YEO). Llogan57@aol.com

There are many places your club can find candidates to be exchange students.

All clubs shall abide by the Rotary International Youth Exchange Guidelines
http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/746ap_a.pdf

Short-term Rotary Youth Exchange Student:

The cost to sponsor a short-term Rotary Youth Exchange student is the price of a couple of lunches at your Rotary meeting. One for the student and his / her parent and lunch for the sponsored student and the hosted student.

HOSTING CLUB INFORMATION

As a hosting Rotary club, you have the opportunity to learn about a different culture, while teaching a young person about our culture. It is important to note, that while host families are the new immediate “family” of the student, it is incumbent upon the club’s members to be involved with the exchange. Should your club host a student, and you are going someplace (as mundane as we may think it is) ask the host family if the student may accompany you. Some of these children have never seen waves at the beach or the desert, as we know it.

Time is of the essence when deciding to host. The earlier your club decides to participate in this great program, the more choices of students you will have.

Steps To Hosting A Rotary Youth Exchange Student
LONG TERM

  1. Get your Club’s Board approval to host a Youth Exchange Student

  2. Find two or more Host Families that would like to participate in the program (see Host Family requirements below)

  3. Have the Host Families complete the Host Family Application http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/746ap_k.pdf  Return the Host Family Applications to Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA 91723

  4. Each adult member of the Host Family must read the District Youth Protection Policy and complete the Youth Volunteer Affidavit. Return the Affidavit to Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA   91723.

  5. Host Club Counselor must be identified

  6. A home visit will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.

  7. Students are posted on a secured password protected website. Once the host families are identified, the Youth Exchange Officer (YEO), will locate students that would be a good “fit” for the hosting club.

  8. The YEO will give the club a choice of students (if a choice is available) to host.

  9. Once the student is identified as a good fit, and the club agrees to the student – the YEO will then post the student as “taken” on the website. (It is important that the club contact the school the student will attend to ensure they will accept the student for the following year (pre-check))

  10. The student’s Application and Guarantee / Visa Form will be sent to the YEO.

  11. The YEO will then send to the hosting club, a copy of the application for each of the Host Families, and one for the Club Counselor.

  12. The Host Family or Club Counselor must then take the Guarantee / Visa form to the school. The school must guarantee that they will accept the student for the following year. The school does this by signing and stamping the form where indicated. If the school has been pre-checked this is a very easy process.

  13. The student’s application is complete with the student’s medical history. It is helpful for the Host Family / Counselor to have the school or district nurse complete the medical information required for enrolling in your school district. Many countries do not require the hepatitis B immunization, and others that we require. If we know this in advance, the student can start any series in his / her home country, or receive any necessary immunizations before arriving.

  14. After the Guarantee / Visa form is complete, it is sent back to the YEO – Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA 91723. The YEO sends the forms to the proper channels in ROTARY YES, and the Guarantee / Visa form is sent to the sponsoring district for processing the visa, along with a “Welcome Packet” explaining insurance and various other items necessary for a smooth exchange.

  15. Upon arrival, the student should apply for health insurance. The student is aware of the costs as they are discussed in the Welcome Packet.
    http://scanex.org/YEO/CISI_Balduc_Ins_App.pdf  Inbound students are covered from the time they leave their homes abroad until the time their plane returns to their home country.

*Youth Exchange students may not travel outside the US without special signatures being obtained first. Please contact Linda Logan llogan57@aol.com if you are planning a trip to Mexico, Canada etc.

If you are planning to leave the district boundaries http://www.district5300.org/history.html you need to inform the Youth Exchange Officer (YEO) llogan57@aol.com

Steps To Hosting A Rotary Youth Exchange Student
SHORT TERM

  1. Get your Club’s Board approval to host a Youth Exchange Student
    Find a Host Family that would like to participate in the program (see Host Family requirements below)

  2. Have the Host Families complete the Host Family Application http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/746ap_k.pdf  

  3. Return the Host Family Applications to Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA 91723

  4. Each adult member of the Host Family must read the District Youth Protection Policy and complete the Youth Volunteer Affidavit. Return the Affidavit to Linda Logan, 370 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA   91723.

  5. Host Club Counselor must be identified

  6. A home visit will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. Remember: The Short-term exchange is a one to one. We send a student, whom returns home with a student from another country that served as a host sister / brother.

*Youth Exchange students may not travel outside the US without special signatures being obtained first. Please contact Linda Logan llogan57@aol.com if you are planning a trip to Mexico, Canada etc.

If you are planning to leave the district boundaries http://www.district5300.org/history.html  you need to inform the Youth Exchange Officer (YEO) llogan57@aol.com

Host Family Requirements

  1. Host Families need NOT be Rotarians

  2. Home must be a safe, clean environment

  3. Host Families should have the means to accept an “adopted” member for the duration of the exchange

  4. Clubs may have up to three host families for the Long-term exchange

  5. Host families are not required to have teenaged child(ren)

  6. District Protection Affidavit and fingerprinting required for all adults in home

  7. See Host Family Primer http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/749.pdf

CALENDAR FOR YOUTH EXCHANGE

Mandatory Events for Youth Exchange Students:

September 8 - 10, 2006
Inbound Orientation
Lake Elsinore

September 21, 2006
Host Family and Counselor Orientation
100 N. Barranca Avenue  Map
West Covina, CA   91791
(Foothill Transit Office)
6:00 PM

November 11 - 14
Teen Leadership Camp (TLC)
Astro Camp
26800 Saunders Meadow Rd, Idyllwild, CA Map

January ??
Big Bear Ski Weekend 

February 23 - 25, 2006
R.Y.L.A.
Desert Sun Science Center
26800 Saunders Meadow Rd, Idyllwild, CA Map

April 21, 2007
District Assembly
Etiwanda Gardens
7576 Etiwanda Ave. Etiwanda, California. Map

May 24 - 27,  2007
District Conference
Rancho Las Palmas
 41000 Bob Hope Drive   
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Map

For information about District 5300's Youth Exchange Program contact
Linda Logan, Youth Exchange Chair
370 E. Rowland Ave.
Covina, CA 91723
626-332-2978
llogan57@aol.com

 Last update, Wednesday, March 21, 2007