Youth · International programmes
Every year thousands of young people travel abroad with Rotary to learn a language, live in another culture and come home with a different view of the world. Rotary clubs support the whole process on a voluntary, non-profit basis.
9,000+
Exchange students worldwide each year
100+
Participating countries
1946
Programme origin, after the Second World War
15-18
Age range for the long-term exchange
Rotary Youth Exchange is one of Rotary's longest-running programmes. It started after the Second World War with a clear purpose: working for peace and international understanding through real day-to-day contact between cultures.
It is not a travel agency or a commercial course: host and sponsor Rotary clubs, volunteers, host families and programme officers accompany every student throughout the experience.
In Spain the programme is coordinated by Intercambios Rotary España, which brings together the Spanish districts and publishes deadlines, available countries and application forms.
There are three main formats, designed for different ages, levels of commitment and family budgets.
The student spends an academic year abroad, attends a local school and lives with several volunteer host families. These are reciprocal exchanges: the family also hosts a student from abroad.
Reciprocal exchanges between two families: the student spends a few weeks with their exchange partner abroad and then hosts that same person at home. No schooling is involved.
Themed camps run by clubs all over the world. They are not reciprocal, bring together participants from many countries and are a good first taste of the programme.
The programme only works thanks to families who open their homes. Hosting involves little extra cost and usually creates a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Write to us and we will guide you towards the programme that best fits your situation and the current deadlines.
You submit the paperwork and the family attends an interview so the application can be assessed.
The district assigns the host country based on preferences, available places and languages.
Training sessions for the student and the family: rules, insurance, health and expectations.
During the stay there is a Rotary counsellor in the host country and follow-up from the sponsor club.
Many participants stay connected to Rotary afterwards, and their family hosts a student from another country.
Rotary makes no profit from the programme. The family covers travel, insurance, paperwork and a monthly allowance for the student; accommodation and meals are provided by volunteer host families. Exact amounts depend on the district and the host country.
A basic level helps, but it is not essential for every destination. Immersion and support courses in the host country do the rest.
On the long-term exchange the student attends a school in the host country. Recognition depends on current education rules, so check with your school before applying.
On the short-term exchange reciprocity is part of the format. On the long-term one families are asked to support the programme, and many end up hosting even when it is not strictly required.
Applications usually open well before the departure year, normally during the previous autumn. Get in touch and we will let you know the exact dates.
Intercambios Rotary España gathers information from all Spanish districts: programme types, countries, deadlines and forms.
Visit rotaryintercambiospain.orgWrite to us or come to one of our meetings: we will explain the programme with no commitment and put you in touch with our exchange officer.