Rotary Youth Exchange

Application

The student will likely go through another round of interviews at the district level before a final decision is reached. In some districts, there is a lot of competition for just a few spots. In other districts, there are more openings than applicants and in this case the district will likely accept all of those they feel are qualified and prepared.

The program is ideal for students who are intent on becoming fluent in another language, learning a new culture on an intimate basis with 3-4 different families (the number is dependent on the country: many Rotary Clubs in South America will provide only a single host family, while in other countries such as Japan it is possible to have six or even more families) and being an ambassador for their country. This program is for students who are self motivated, outgoing, and smart. Students live with a number of families but they are not guests - they are expected to fit into the family's normal daily routine. This includes doing the chores requested by the family, participating in all the family's events, and generally becoming the closest representation of a biological child as is possible.

If the student is accepted into the program, the youth exchange committee will assign them a host country and send the student's paperwork to that country. The student may or may not be guaranteed their first choice of country, therefore students who are set on a particular country may wish to look into other programs. The committee may take a variety of factors into consideration when making host country assignments, including the countries the student is most interested in, language skills, the number of students wanting to go to each country, and where the Rotarians feel is the best suited country for the student. Numerous countries have set requirements or restrictions which can very each year. For example, France currently requires 3 years of language study, an application completed in French, and it will not accept Post-Graduates or Vegetarians.^[1] Another way some districts decide on countries is a scoring interview. In these districts, if three students request France as their first choice and the district can only send one student to France, Rotarians may send the student that scored highest on their interview. Italy in particular is notorious for having very high standards and accepting few students.

Prior to leaving, most districts hold orientations for the students. These orientations usually include a variety of seminars and activities designed to prepare students for their exchanges. Topics covered usually include program rules, discussions with former exchange students about their experiences, and information about what students need to do before their departure. Students also learn about how to make a presentation about their home country and region, which they will usually be required to present to their hosting Rotary club and may be invited to present to other groups as well. Inbound exchange students may also participate in the orientations as well.

The rules discussed may vary somewhat, but the "4 Ds" apply to all students regardless of home or host country. The 4 Ds are the four most important Rotary exchange rules, and among the exchange students it's a must to not break these four rules during the exchange year:

1. 
   No driving
   
2. 
   No drinking
   
3. 
   No serious dating
   
4. 
   No drugs
   

Sometimes an extra D will be added, such as "no debt." Also recently a fifth and sixth D has been added, No Disfiguring (Tattoos, Piercings), and no Downloading, which pertains to illegal or pirated music, and movies. Sometimes are the P,T and 2 extra Ss, P meaning no pornography, and T meaning responsible use of technology and the two Ss for no sex and no smoking.

The rules typically vary by district, although the 4 Ds are fairly universal. In addition, depending on the countries culture many of the rules may be broken without punishment. In particular, the drinking rule is broken in almost all districts and is rarely punished. Most districts will describe this rule as implying that you are allowed to drink, but you are not allowed to become severely drunk. Similarly, the dating rule is subject to a lot of debate as it is a very general description. Most districts will require that at the very least you avoid sexual activity, and should also not "break someone's heart" by maintaining a long and serious relationship that will inevitably come to an end. Typically, a student will only be sent home after several repeat offences, or a very serious offence (depending on the district and culture).

Terminology

Exchange students are called "outbounds" by their home (sponsor) Rotary club and district, and simultaneously "inbounds" by their host Rotary club and district in the country they spend their year in. Students who have completed their exchanges are called "rebounds" or "rotex". But the term "rotex" usually refers to former outbounds who participate in the organization Rotex for helping exchangers. There is also the rare "yo-yo" - a student who has been on two exchanges. Other slang includes the terms "newies" and "oldies".

Due to the arrival of many of the southern hemisphere students in January and the northern hemisphere students in August, there is a group of students that are half a year behind or ahead of that current generation. A student from an older generation is an oldie and students from newer generation are newbies or newies. This half year delay can be helpful in mentoring the newer students into an exchange student's lifestyle.

Another slang word that is used is "dinosaur", which can refers to one's oldie's oldie. Other terms include "Northie" and "Southie", referring to student from either a northern or southern (respectively) hemisphere country, which affects the time period that an exchanger will spend in their host country. A Southie will usually depart either January or February, staying in their host country until the beginning of the next year, while a Northie usually leaves in August or September and stays until the following June or July. This is usually dependent on the students home country. A student from the United States will almost always leave in August or September and will stay until June or July. This can result in back-to-back summers, if a student travels to the southern hemisphere.

-The student will be allowed two suitcases and one carry-on bag. (Depending on the airline)

Every student abroad will experience some common obstacles upon arriving.

Today, many Rotary Exchange students can be recognized by their Rotary Youth Exchange blazer. While most countries recommend navy blue, the blazer may also be dark green, red, black, or maroon. The color of the blazer usually depends on which country or region the exchange student is from. One Rotary tradition is that students cover their blazers in pins and patches they have traded with other students or bought in places they have visited as evidence of their exchange. It is popular for the students to bring a large collection of national- or regional-themed pins and trade them with students from other areas. This tradition is popular worldwide.

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  Argentina - navy blue
  
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  Australia - green
  
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  Austria - navy blue
  
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  Belgium - navy blue
  
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  Bermuda - navy blue
  
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  Bolivia - navy blue
  
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  Brazil - navy blue
  
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  Canada - red/navy blue
  
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  Denmark - navy blue
  
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  Ecuador - navy blue
  
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  Finland - light blue
  
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  France - light blue
  
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  Germany - blue
  
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  Hungary - navy blue
  
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  India - navy blue
  
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  Indonesia - varied by year
  
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  Japan - navy blue
  
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  Italy - navy blue
  
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  Mexico - navy blue/green/red
  
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  Netherlands - navy blue
  
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  New Zealand - black
  
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  Norway - navy blue
  
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  Peru - blue
  
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  Philippines - navy blue
  
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  Poland - navy blue/black
  
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  Russia - navy blue
  
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  Slovakia - navy blue
  
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  South Africa - green
  
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  South Korea - navy blue
  
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  Sweden - navy blue
  
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  Switzerland - bordeaux
  
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  Taiwan - navy blue (bright green in year 2006-2007. dark green in year 2007-2008, bordeaux since 2008-2009)
  
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  Thailand - navy blue/bordeaux
  
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  Turkey - black
  
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  United States - navy blue/green
  
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  Venezuela - navy blue
  
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  Zimbabwe - black