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Rotary District
Applicant Name
Rotary Youth Exchange – Long-Term Exchange Program
Section G: Rules and Conditions of Exchange
As a Youth Exchange student sponsored by a Rotary club or district, you must agree to the following rules and conditions of exchange. Violation of any of
these rules may result in dismissal from the program and immediate return home, at student’s expense. Please note that districts may edit this document or
insert additional rules if needed to account for local conditions.
Rules and Conditions of Exchange
1) You must obey the laws of the host country. If found guilty of
violating any law, you can expect no assistance from your sponsors or
native country. You must return home at your own expense as soon as
released by authorities.
2) You will be under the host district’s authority while you are an
exchange student and must abide by the rules and conditions of
exchange provided by the host district. Parents or legal guardians
must not authorize any extra activities directly to you. Any relatives
you may have in the host country will have no authority over you
while you are in the program.
3) You are not allowed to possess or use illegal drugs. Legal medications
that are prescribed to you by a physician are allowed.
4) The illegal drinking of alcoholic beverages is expressly forbidden.
Students who are of legal age should refrain. If your host family
offers you an alcoholic drink, it is permissible to accept it under their
supervision in the home. Excessive consumption and drunkenness is
forbidden.
5) You may not operate a motorized vehicle, including but not limited to
cars, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles,
boats, and other watercraft, or participate in driver education
programs.
6) Smoking is discouraged. If you state in your application that you do
not smoke, you will be held to that position throughout your
exchange. Your acceptance and host family placement is based on
your signed statement. Under no circumstances are you to smoke in
your host family’s bedrooms.
7) Body piercing or obtaining a tattoo while on your exchange, without
the express written permission of your natural parents, host parents,
host club, and host district, is prohibited, for health reasons.
8) You must make every effort to learn the language of the host country,
and may be responsible for any costs for tutoring, language camps, or
other instruction.
9) Limit your use of the Internet and mobile phones, as directed by your
host district, host club, and host family. Excessive or inappropriate
use is not acceptable. Accessing or downloading pornographic
material is expressly forbidden.
10) You must attend school regularly and make an honest attempt to
succeed.
11) You must have health and accident or travel insurance that provides
coverage for accidental injury and illness, death benefits (including
repatriation of remains), disability/dismemberment benefits,
emergency medical evacuation, emergency visitation expenses, 24-
hour emergency assistance services, and legal services, in amounts
satisfactory to the host Rotary club or district in consultation with the
sponsor Rotary club or district, with coverage from the time of your
departure from your home country until your return.
12) You must also have liability coverage through a travel insurance or
other applicable policy, in amounts satisfactory to the host Rotary club
or district in consultation with the sponsor Rotary club or district
13) You must have sufficient financial support to assure your well-being
during your exchange. Your host district may require a contingency
fund for emergency situations. Unused funds will be returned to you or
to your parents or legal guardians at the end of your exchange.
14) You must follow the travel rules of your host district. Travel is
permitted with host parents or for Rotary club or district functions
authorized by the host Rotary club or district with proper adult
chaperones. The host district and club, host family, and your parents or
legal guardians must approve any other travel in writing, thus
exempting Rotary of responsibility and liability.
15) You must return home directly by a route mutually agreeable to your
host district and your parents or legal guardians.
16) Any costs related to an early return home or any other unusual costs
(language tutoring, tours, etc.) are the responsibility of you and your
parents or legal guardians.
17) Visits by your parents or legal guardians, siblings, or friends while you
are on exchange may only take place with the host club’s and district’s
consent and within their guidelines. Typically, visits may be arranged
only in the last quarter of the exchange or during school breaks and are
not allowed during major holidays.
18) Serious romantic activity is to be avoided. Sexual activity is forbidden.
19) Talk with your host club counselor, host parents, or other trusted adult
if you encounter any form of abuse or harassment.
Recommendations for a Successful Exchange
1) You should communicate with your first host family prior to leaving
your home country. The family’s information will be provided to you
by your host club or district prior to your departure.
5) Get involved in your school and community activities. Plan your
recreation and spare-time activities around your school and community
friends. Don’t spend all your time with other exchange students. If
there is a local Interact club, you are encouraged to join it.
6) Choose friends in the community carefully. Ask for and heed the
advice of host families, counselors, and school personnel in choosing
friends.
2) Respect your host’s wishes. Become an integral part of the host
family, assuming duties and responsibilities normal for a student of
your age or for children in the family.
3) Learn ahead of time as much of the language of your host country as
possible, and use the language regularly. Teachers, host parents,
Rotary club members, and others you meet in the community will
appreciate the effort. It will go a long way in your gaining acceptance
in the community and with those who will become lifelong friends.
7) Do not borrow money. Pay any bills promptly. Ask permission to use
the family phone or computer, keep track of all calls and time on the
Internet, and reimburse your host family each month for the costs you
incur.
4) Attend Rotary-sponsored events and host family events, and show an
interest in these activities. Volunteer to be involved; do not wait to be
asked. Lack of interest on your part is detrimental to your exchange
and can have a negative impact on future exchanges.
8) If you are offered an opportunity to go on a trip or attend an event,
make sure you understand any costs you must pay and your
responsibilities before you go.