The Rotary Long Term Youth Exchange program gives students the opportunity to experience a year living and studying overseas in a wide range of countries. From Australia, students exchange during a calendar year from January – January. Depending on your age, you can choose to participate in the program either during your high school years, or in a gap year following high school. See ‘Who can apply?‘ to see if you are eligible.
Students stay with host families as arranged by the host Rotary Club, and in most cases stay with 3-4 different families who may or may not be members of Rotary, but are all vetted by the Rotary Club and pass the necessary background checks.
To live away from home for 12 months is a demanding yet rewarding experience. It is not always easy, and requires great strength of character, tolerance and a clear understanding of yourself.
Watch this video to hear from some of our past exchange students about their experience:
Check out a year in the life of a Rotary Youth Exchange Student to Switzerland with our 2020 outbounder Elisa Rose Muscat:
Interested in learning more about our long term program?
