For LTEP, you must be between 15 and 18.5 years old at the time of departure. For STEP, the age range is 15–19.
No. Most students arrive with little or no knowledge of the local language and learn naturally through daily life, school and living with host families. Language immersion is one of the most valuable parts of the exchange experience.
Rotary Youth Exchange operates in over 100 countries worldwide. Available destinations depend on reciprocal agreements between districts. Our RYE Chair can advise on which countries are currently available for District 3250 students.
You can indicate preferences, but the final placement depends on availability and reciprocal agreements. Rotary will do its best to match your preferences.
Host families are carefully selected and approved by the Rotary club in the host country. Each student is also assigned a Rotary counsellor who is their point of contact throughout the exchange.
Your Rotary counsellor in the host country is your first point of contact. The host district's RYE committee is also available for support. Rotary takes student welfare extremely seriously.
Most students find that the maturity, language skills and global perspective gained during exchange more than compensates for any academic gap. Many Indian schools are willing to accommodate returning exchange students. This should be discussed with your school before applying.
Costs vary by destination. See our Costs & Fees page for a full breakdown. The main expenses are the Rotary district fee, receiving district fee, airfare and insurance.
In some cases, Rotary clubs sponsor students partially or fully. Contact the RYE Chair to discuss whether sponsorship may be available for your application.
Stage 1 is a short Expression of Interest form that takes about five minutes to complete. If the RYE Chair believes you are a suitable candidate, you will be invited to complete the full Stage 2 application, which covers medical history, academic records, parental consent and more.
Yes. Rotary Youth Exchange is open to all students regardless of gender.
All outbound students attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation camp organised by District 3250. This covers Rotary rules and regulations, cultural preparation, safety guidelines and practical travel advice.
Still have questions?
Contact the RYE Chair →