Rotary's Youth Exchange program is open to young men and women, generally between the ages of 15-19 years, the sons and daughters of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. Applicants are selected by a sponsoring Rotary club on the basis of a written application and a personal interview usually at Club level followed by an interview at District level.

The program offers two types of exchanges:

A long-term exchange of an academic year's duration, during which the student lives with more than one family and attends school in the host country.
A short-term exchange, which may vary from several days to several weeks. It does not include an academic program and often takes place when schools are not in session.

Exchanges can occur between any two countries in which there are Rotary clubs. Rotary clubs in approximately 60 different countries annually sponsor or host Youth Exchange students. A thorough orientation program for students and their parents is provided by the sponsoring the Rotary District and the Rotary club. The host Rotary club provides support and guidance at the receiving end of the exchange.
While room and board for the exchangee is provided by the host families, the student and his/her own family assume certain financial obligations. These include round-trip air transportation, clothing, health insurance, Rotary Tours and incidental expenses for the student. For long-term exchanges, the host Rotary club will provide a monthly allowance and usually pays the student's tuition for all required academic programs and attendance at Rotary Functions.

---

Our 2009 long-term exchange of an academic year's duration,
Lana will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Bellerive

Lana van der Marel from Holland, for the 2009 year

Our outgoing long-term exchange of an academic year's duration,

Molly Frankham to France, for the 2009 year

---

Our 2004 long-term exchange of an academic year's duration,
Lorenz was co-hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Bellerive and Salamanca

Lorenz returned to visit us in 2008 during his backpacking trip around Australia, sunburnt and over 6ft 7in tall.

Our outgoing long-term exchange of an academic year's duration,

Alex Pinkard to Switzerland, for the 2004 year

---

Tina sent us this photo in 2007 Tina's long-term exchange of an academic year's duration 2001 -2002 with the Rotary Club of Bellerive,   Tina was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Zwettl. Her home is Grossoettfritz in Zwettl, Austria. Tina was 'home hosted' by various members of the Rotary Club of Bellerive during 2001 -2002. She attended Rosny College undertaking year eleven subjects. Suzan Jones our sponsored student for the full 2002 year. Our outgoing long-term exchange of an academic year's duration,   Suzan is from Howrah. She was a student at Rosny College. Suzan exchanged to Finland. Tessa's long-term exchange of an academic year's duration 1998, Tessa Hempson from District 9250 South Africa for the full 1998 year Click on the picture from Tessa above for an update 2008 Click on the picture from Tessa above for an update 2009  Tessa was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nelspruit. Her home is Ngodwana in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Tessa was 'home hosted' by various members of the Rotary Club of Bellerive during 1998. She attended Rosny College undertaking year twelve subjects. Our outgoing long-term exchange of an academic year's duration 1999, Penny Fowler our sponsored student to Argentina for the full 1999 year. Penny is from Bothwell. She was a boarding student at Fahan School. She is exchanged with the Rotary Club of Tucaman, District 4800, Argentina. Our matched student exchange of short term duration 1998. Kate Hope Kate was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Motueka, District 9970 New Zealand for the first quarter of 1998 year Kate is from Golden Bay a small community with a population of about 4000, about two hours drive from Nelson in the north of the south island . She has a wide interest in sport, drama and music (violin and guitar). Kate was 'home hosted' by Ingrid Bond's family She attended Rose bay High School with Ingrid. Ingrid Bond Ingrid was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bellerive to return with Kate to Golden Bay for the second quarter of 1998 year Ingrid is from Lindisfarne. She is attending Rose bay High School,she has interests in music and gymnastics and has long term goals to study Zoology at University. Ingrid had term two at Golden Bay High School with Kate. She was 'home hosted ' by Kate's family Click here for - Return to home page