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Presented by Danielle BALTUS
STEP Multi District Chair
D 1620, D 1630 & D 2170
in Belgium & Luxembourg
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A FIRST STEP TO YEP
FAMILY TO FAMILY EXCHANGE
WHAT ?
A SHORT TERM EXCHANGE BETWEEN TWO TEENAGERS
AGE ?
STUDENTS BETWEEN 15 TO <19 YEARS OLD
DOES NOT MATTER, ROTARIAN OR NON ROTARIAN FAMILIES
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HOW LONG & WHEN ? :
FROM 2 TO 4 WEEKS During School Holiday
Mainly in summer time ( July – August )
WHERE ?
Anywhere in Certified Districts.
But may be easier if in the same Hemisphere.
HOW ?
Agreements from District to District.
COST ?
Depending on the District and Destination
But Each Student needs a certified INSURANCE.
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Purpose :
Mainly Cultural but could also be
linguistic.
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This program is very Flexible.
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Vielen Dank. Thank you. 非常感謝你.
Muchas gracias. Muito obrigado.
Merci Beaucoup. 有り難う御座いました。
Grazie mille. ขอบคุณมาก.
Heel erg bedankt. 감사합니다
Tack så mycket. Mange tak. Tusen takk.
Paljon kiitoksia. Благодарю вас.
Çok teşekkür ederim. tibi gratias ago
SHORT TERM RECIPROCAL
EXCHANGE
A Cultural and
Social Exchange Opportunity
without the Long Term Commitment
Young people experience a world of
cultures in a private family setting.
In a reciprocal exchange,
youth and host families
bond into global
relationships.
Traveling Abroad Broadens Horizons
A Taste of Authentic Foods
Learn a new language
Experience A Different Culture
Expansion of Families
and New Friendships
A small taste of a rich and
cultural experience that can
lead to a bigger vision and life
changing opportunities for all
participants; YEOs included.
Expanding Horizons
• Open to Rotary and non-Rotary families
• Open to Exchanges with partner Rotary
Districts
• Offered to youth 15.5 years to 18.5 years
of age
The Short Term Exchange Program is
Short-term exchanges vary
from a minimum of three (3)
weeks for each youth, ideally
with stays back to back.
Young adults do not typically
attend school on a short-term
exchange. However, a visit to
their counterpart’s school
offers a wonderful
experience.
All Family Affair
YEO’s Responsibilities • Manage the Application
Process and Home Visit
• Obtain References and
background checks
• Research and Advise on Visa
Requirements
• Host Orientation Sessions
• Coordinate with Partner
Districts’ YEOs
• Complete the “Match”
Program Promotion Program Awareness
through:
Youth Exchange
Partnerships
Promotional Material
Community Presentations
It is important to make
sure that the “Spirit of
the Rotary” exchange
is clear: learning from
each other’s culture,
and that everybody
knows what to expect.
Host Families are NOT “tour
guides”.
Meet the Parents & Youth
• Arrangements are made for a Rotary
representative to meet parents and
youth interested in the exchange for
an interview in their home. The goal
is to ensure that the home is
appropriate to host an international
student
• Appropriate sleeping
accommodations for inbound
student
• Home suitable for inbound
student.
Home Interviews
All youth and parents
complete a home hosting
application which is used for
district background checks.
Background check is
completed for every person
living in the house 18 years
and above. (R.I. Requirement)
Background checks
Exchange Matches
An effort is
made to
match youth
with similar
interests.
• The Application is sent to
preferred reciprocal countries
for matching.
• Identified student match
applications are sent to the
corresponding YEO ASAP.
• It is important to keep a “pool”
of potential matches as a
reserve.
Rotary Exchange Approvals
Respective YEOs personally
present the prospective
“twin” documents to each
family for acceptance.
The matches are then
confirmed upon acceptance
by the reciprocal families.
Direct communication
between matched twins and
families can then begin.
Youth Exchange Matching
Travel arrangements,
length of stays, time
of visits are mutually
arranged by matched
families.
The recommended
minimum is a three
(3)-week stay by each
youth.
Travel Arrangements
• $70 non-refundable application fee
payable to the YEO in care of STEP
(Short Term Exchange Program)
• Premium for Rotary sanctioned
insurance ($50 - $75)
• Airfare to and from destination
country.
• Cost for hosting: Inbound youth
visiting the home and special
events.
Program Costs depend on
Rotary District
in District 6440 Youth and/or
Parents are responsible for
Proof of passport,
copy of insurance
and copy of school
transcript obtained
Documentation Requirements
Mandatory Meeting prior to Traveling
Before the trip
the YEO hosts a
mandatory
orientation
meeting with
parents and
youth for last
minute
instructions or
questions.
• A brief overview on
the customs of the
exchange country is
recommended.
• Etiquette and
Language tips
• Culture Shock
Potential
Brief Cultural Orientation
Let the Fun Begin ...
A presentation is
found here plus an
explanation of the
program offered in
our
Rotary District
6440 – The Home
District
Meet ALL the
Families
Find other Rotary Youth
Exchanges visiting your area
at the same time and
Plan to Get Together!
Have Fun!
CONTACTS
Rick Kuehn
Rotary District 6440
Short Term Exchange Program Coordinator
rickkuehnstye@gmail.com
audaxkuehn@gmail.com
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