PC Rotary & Short Term (Summer) Youth Exchange.....

YEAR-LONG YOUTH EXCHANGE is Rotary's flagship Program, in which a student is hosted by a Rotary Club overseas and, typically, in several host homes over the year, to broaden the cultural experience.

THE SUMMER YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM offers an alternative for our Club, and for students not able or ready to dedicate a full year abroad. The Short Term Youth Exchange Program pairs students from different countries to spend 6 to 8 weeks together during the summer months -- half spent here and the other half of that time spent together overseas, in the home of the student with whom he or she is paired. Our District provides all pairing, orientation, and support administration for students in this Program. Participating Districts world wide must be certified by Rotary International, indicating that they provide background checks, outbound orientation, youth protection training, and Rotary oversight of host homes.

PUTNAM COUNTY currently supports the Short Term Youth Exchange Program, and will cover the application and orientation fees of $300 / student for up to two Putnam County students annually. Applicants must be 15-19 years old during the summer of their exchange year. There is no language requirement as students are generally placed with English-speaking hosts. We pair with students in the northern hemisphere so that the respective students' summer vacations align with one another. Applications are accepted in December and early January; pairings generally occur by April 1st, and meanwhile all students and all parents must attend (but will truly enjoy!) our District Outbound Orientation Weekend Program in mid-March. Travel generally occurs in June, July and August. Parents are responsible for their student's passport, travel, spending money, and the incidental costs associated with hosting the "matched" student here for 3-4 weeks. Parents are also responsible for any overnight lodging costs incurred during the Orientation Program, held in Rock Falls, Illinois.