First things First
FIRST: The Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship is an opportunity for you to spend one full high school year living and studying in another country. You must be certain when you apply that you are willing to spend the entire year away from home. The program requires that you spend 6 months prior to your departure preparing -- taking language classes on-line, attending cultural training sessions, learning the program rules, and training to become a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador. While there is no doubt that high school exchanges have a lifelong impact on your ability to be self-reliant, to problem-solve, to be more logical and at the same time be more empathetic, the challenges are not for everyone. On a global scale, only 8,000 teenagers are Rotary Youth Exchange students in any given year. That's a very small percentage of all of the world's teenagers!
SECOND: This scholarship is not a "gap year" between high school and college*; it is a high school program and you will attend school and be responsible for everything the local students are. Check the rules of your current school regarding credit transfer, early graduation options...whatever you are worried about when it comes to graduating from high school. Rotary does not advise you on this and does not coordinate between you and your school. If Rotary Youth Exchange is what you want to do, then you will find a way to get the answers you need from your school or school board. We cannot make any guarantees about the credits you will earn while you are away. You are REQUIRED to attend high school in your host community -- that's the focal
point of your year -- even if the credits won't count. *You may apply as a senior ONLY IF you are graduating EARLY and are a "3rd year senior." You will still be held to the same requirements during your scholarship year.
THIRD: This scholarship is only possible due to the volunteer efforts, hospitality, and funding of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs. As a scholarship recipient, you will be representing Rotary as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador. That is your role while you are abroad. Within the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, you represent District 6840 as an "Outbound Student." When you arrive to your host community, you are known as an "Inbound Student" or "RotEx" depending upon the country. You are beginning a lifelong association with Rotary International, the world's largest and oldest international service organization. As a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador, we will expect you to represent the ideal of Service Above Self and have that be the guiding principle of your year.
FOURTH: Your application must be approved by a local Rotary Club within District 6840 prior to being considered by the District Interview and Selection Panel. Begin now to establish a contact with the Rotary Club in or near your community. Each club SHOULD have a Youth Exchange Officer (YEO) or Scholarship Chair. However, if you run into a club or a Rotarian who does not know what you're talking about, please contact: D6840 Youth Exchange Officer Samantha Walley at rye6840@gmail.com.
FIFTH: Candidates must be willing to represent District 6840 as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador in the districts with which we have established exchanges; students will have some input in the placement country, but the ultimate decision rests with the D6840 RYE Committee and is based on a number of factors. Candidates understand that all scholarship offers are contingent upon several factors including the ability of District 6840 to host 5 reciprocal students.
SIXTH: The best, most successful Rotary Goodwill Ambassadors are those who are willing to accept the rules of the program and follow the wisdom and guidance of the RYE Committee. A successful year has everything to do with a student's willingness to adapt and be an ambassador of goodwill...success is most quickly sabotaged by a poor attitude...and that is entirely within the student's control! You will need to be driven and curious and excited and able to deal with new situations and interested to know how far you can stretch and grow in one year.
Rotary Youth Exchange: It's not a year in your life, it's your life in a year!
On this page you will find the D6840 Rotary Youth Exchange Program Application. (under Downloadable Files to the Left) Read the instructions carefully. Note that D6840 has 2 additional documents (addenda) that must accompany your application. Most portions of the application require the participation of others, so plan ahead and begin now to make the appointments necessary to collect the signatures.