Why RYE?

More than 10,000 young adults study abroad through RYE each year. Our program is affordable and delivers an unmatched experience for RYE students and their host families.

Highly Supported Exchange

RYE students are sponsored and hosted by local Rotary Clubs that provide constant support for each student throughout their exchange. RYE students are sponsored by a club in their home region and hosted by a club in the region where they study abroad.

They are assigned an Outbound Counselor from their sponsoring club and an Inbound Counselor from their hosting club. They also have a trained Youth Exchange Committee to assist at both ends of the exchange.

Multi-family Hosting

While many exchange programs match a student with a single family for their entire study abroad experience, RYE students typically live with three different host families during their study abroad year. This unique aspect of the RYE program assures that RYE students have a more well-rounded experience, with each family providing a different lifestyle and perspective within their community.

Volunteer-driven

The strength of the RYE program lies in Rotary’s international network of thousands of volunteers who donate their time and resources to make RYE successful, and to ensure the best experiences for the students that participate.

With RYE, host parents are volunteers. They are not paid to host.

This removes any financial incentive for hosting and creates a safer environment and optimal experience for RYE students.

Affordable Program

Rotary Youth Exchanges cost much less than other programs. As a general rule, each exchange costs $6000 – $8000 total. Compare this to other programs such as AFS or Youth for Understanding and you’ll see the benefit of the rich experience that we offer, made possible by our global network of generous volunteers.

Affordable

What are the costs for your academic year studying abroad?

You pay a flat fee to District 6080 of $1650. This fee includes Orientation sessions for both student and parents/guardians, training materials, language training online module, Rotary blazer and pins, flags and other ambassador materials.

It does NOT include: your passport and visa fees, airfare and ticket changes, foreign language camps, medical and liability insurance and other personal expenses. It does NOT include any post-exchange travel for a District sponsored trip or camp.

Your Rotary Host Club will provide a monthly allowance, housing and school expenses.

Students can expect to spend $6000 – $8000 total depending on their host country, lifestyle and optional Rotary sponsored trips.

RYE Alumni Tell Their Stories 

“My counselors were really protective and took care of me so generously! I knew I wasn't alone and could count on them. My district chairwoman was always taking care of the exchange students like we were her kids, and she was always smiling and happy! Thank you Rotary!”

Laura DerenneInbound from Belgium

"My advice is to challenge yourself. Don't be afraid to say yes. I feel like I learned to live in the present, so when I came home I was more aware and I remembered to really appreciate everything that I have. That's one of the things I value from my exchange."

Frands HaulundInbound from Denmark

“My host families were so welcoming to bring me into their home. They also sent a student on exchange, so they really understood what my parents would be going through and what I was going through too. I feel like we were really connected right from the beginning just because we all understood that experience.”

Adeline KrausOutbound to Mexico

“My exchange helped me to be a better leader, and to be more helpful in my family and in my school. I learned how to speak another language fluently, but it's not just that. You make connections. You make friendships. You make a lot of experiences and memories that are like gold.”

Constanza AsteteInbound from Chile

“Meeting other Rotary students in my exchange area was special, because we were having the same experience. We had the same feelings about everything that was going on. Plus they were from a different home country, so we could work to learn the new language together.”

Aude MayerInbound from Switzerland

“I’ve been back to visit since my exchange, and it's really like visiting family members. These are people I lived with for so long, and they were like actual parental figures, brothers, and sisters to me. When you live with each other for long enough, and have great memories together, it feels like family.”

Hope GowinOutbound to Belgium