Short Term Exchange Program

About:

Duration of this program ranges from several days to few weeks up to 3 months. These do not involve attending high school, but students can tailor their experience to match their interest’s viz. homestays, tours, and international youth camps. The countries for STEP include France, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, USA, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

Safety is of utmost importance and therefore the host Rotary club carefully screen and select the host families. Moreover, the local host Rotary club provides a monthly pocket money and assigns a dedicated counsellor to help you get the most out of your exchange. The challenges are great, but so are the benefits. 

Benefits:

• Being an cultural ambassador of your country and community
• Self-development
• Awareness leading to enhanced self-confidence and  self-esteem
• Develop lifelong Leadership skills
• Enhance Communication skills.
• Know and Learn a new language and culture
• Build lasting friendships around the world

Eligibility:

• Exchanges are for children aged between 15 and 19.
• Candidates have demonstrated leadership in their school and community.
• Are flexible and willing to try new experiences like place, food, culture, school, and friends.
• Can serve as a cultural ambassador of their own country.
• Academic records should be above average.

Financials:

Expenses vary based upon the country and respective district where the exchange occurs. Parents and Guardians are expected to cater the following expenses:

• Round-trip airfare.
• Insurance towards travel, medical, accident etc. as specified by the host district.
• Travel documents (such as Passports and Visa).
• Expenses of Personal nature, optional sightseeing tours in the exchange country.

Rules and Obligations:

Rotary International has prescribed a set of rules of conduct to be followed by the students during exchange. The rules are framed in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of the students and have to be strictly obeyed during the entire tenure of the exchange. Any violation of the rules of conduct by the student will lead to immediate deportation from the host country.

Indian host parents should:

• Continue to host one inbound student from several weeks to 3 months.
• Get admission in a decent school wherein the foreign students will be comfortable with basic minimum facilities and education standards.
• Pay for school fees, books and school bus (travel) in India for inbound student.
• Provide a separate room at home.
• Facilitate participation of host student in programmes organised by the District RYE team.

Travels & Destination:

Usually Indian students are required to leave in the last week of July or August every year and return in the last week of May or June next year. Foreign students also move in and out almost the same time.

We have been exchanging students with Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Japan etc. so far. We can try to get exchange from any other country of student’s interest, however, the same is based upon the availability of students from the foreign District desirous of coming to India. Country allotment will be given by the District 3131 RYE Team. Once the country is allotted, hosting of In-bound student is mandatory.

Application Process and schedule of payments:

1. Refer and study the content provided on our website www.rye3131.org
2. Applicant must be sponsored by a Rotary Club. Process is initiated with a written application and in-person interview. For Non-Rotarian families, RYE team will help in getting a local Rotary Club as a sponsor.
3. Download and submit the STEP Application form and await approval from yep3131india@gmail.com and response from the concerned officer.
4. Payment of Non-Refundable Registration Fees ₹ 5,000/-, through standard payment modes.
5. After allotment of the exchange country to pay ₹ 7,000/- as Pocket money/expenses for activities of students coming to your home (In-bound Student)
6. Payment of ₹ 5,000/- for Orientation programs of Parents and Out-bound students.
7. Payment of ₹ 5,000/- for Out-bound students for RYE- Blazer, Cap, T-shirt, Name pin, 50 Exchange pins, India’s Flag and visiting cards.
8. If a student backs out, for any reason at this stage, no refund will be given under any circumstances. 
9. In case Rotary is unable to allot any country, then Rotary will refund ₹ 7,000/-
10. To fill and submit the duly filled Undertaking form.
11. To fill and submit the duly filled Criminal Background check (CBC) form. Mandatory requirement for every Rotarian and Parent connected with Inbounds in person.
12. Submission of forms:
    Soft copies to be mailed to yep3131india@gmail.com and hard copies in sets of three to Outbound Chair.