Youth Exchange Program
To learn more about Rotary's Youth Exchange programs, click here
To request more information from the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park send an email to Erin Stephen
Our club will begin accepting applications in the fall of 2018 for participation in the 2019/2020 exchange program. Students must be 16 prior to departure of their outbound student exchange in the 2019/2020 Rotary exchange year.
The Rotary Club of Sherwood Park plans to send one local student per year on a long term youth exchange. This student lives with three or four host families throughout the school year, attending school in their host community and forming life-long relationships with students from all over the world!
Students typically travel to their host community in late August, returning home in early July. Students apply for participation as an outbound student one year before their planned departure.
During this year they are expected to attend weekly local Rotary meetings and spend a few minutes each meeting talking about what they have done during the past week to prepare for their outbound exchange. After their year abroad, students are expected to continue to be involved with the local interact club and serve as a Rotary ambassador within their community.
Countries and/or Districts that will be considered for exchange partnerships (but not limited to):
- Germany
- Austria
- Italy
- Sweden
- Norway
- Finland
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- France
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Japan
In exchange, the community of Sherwood Park hosts an international student. This student lives with three or four host families during the school year. All of our inbound students have attended Bev Facey Community High in the past, participating in the local interact club and other community activities. Students also have the opportunity to travel and get to know other inbound exchange students within the District.
Our Rotary District 5370, provides support to the local youth exchange committee through the following services:
- Policies and procedures aligned with Rotary International Code of Policies
- Training for inbound and outbound counselors (and youth chairs if required)
- Online applications for host families and volunteers
- Training for host families
- Training for all volunteers in youth programs
- Online applications for potential outbound students
- Integrated curriculum for inbound and outbound students
- Travel opportunities and policies for inbound students
- Electronic monthly reports for exchange students and counselors
- VISA support for outbound students and families
- New fee structure for clubs and families
- Central document management