Program

One-year exchange – a school year that changes everything

Live with host families, attend school abroad and become part of a new culture for a whole school year.

Rotary exchange students together abroad

With Rotary's year-long exchange you get the chance to dive deep into a new culture for a whole school year and make friends for life – all within the safety of Rotary's experienced network. Set off on the adventure of your life!

Your exchange year is an invaluable experience that benefits you for the rest of your life. A chance to fully integrate into a new culture like this rarely comes around again. Rotary has a dedicated, experienced network of volunteers all over the world working to make your exchange year as rewarding and safe as possible. As a Rotary exchange student you are never alone – you always have a local Rotary club and committed members there for you and your host family. Read more about the benefits of Rotary.

The benefits of a school year abroad

Cultural understanding

Immerse yourself in another culture in depth – not just as a tourist, but as part of the community.

Language skills

Learn a new language fluently, or improve the one you already know dramatically through daily use at school and at home.

Personal growth

Stand on your own two feet, solve challenges and discover new sides of yourself. Become more confident and independent.

International friends

Build priceless friendships with classmates in your host country and with other exchange students.

Global perspective

Develop a deeper understanding of global issues and your role as a global citizen.

Academic experience

Experience a different school system, gain new insights and come home full of energy.

Lower program fee

Rotary's exchanges are made possible largely by volunteer commitment. That's why our program fee is almost always lower.

How does it work?

The program is built on living with carefully selected, committed host families. This gives you a unique insight into everyday life in your host country and a safe home environment. You attend a local school, which means you fully integrate with young people your own age and take part in school activities.

Rotary also arranges gatherings, camps and trips for exchange students in your host country. There you meet others in the same situation, share experiences and discover more of the country together.

Costs and scholarship

Rotary’s youth exchange is built on volunteer work, which makes the program considerably more affordable than many commercial organisations. The cost covers insurance, preparatory seminars, support throughout the year and certain activities in the host country, among other things. Accommodation and meals with the host families are free, and you also receive a monthly allowance from Rotary in the host country.

Program fee: SEK 65,000 for Europe, SEK 75,000 for other countries. Additional costs include the flight, visa, an application fee of SEK 1,000 and other personal expenses.

Taking part in Rotary’s youth exchange can be seen as a scholarship in itself, thanks to the extensive volunteer commitment. Some Rotary districts and clubs may also offer additional smaller scholarships.

Who can apply?

Rotary’s exchange program is aimed at you if you are curious, open and ready for a challenge.

You are between 15 and 18 years old when the exchange year starts (1 August).
You should have good academic results and good health.
You are open, tolerant and willing to adapt to a new culture and new ways of living.
You are interested in learning about your host country and sharing your own culture.
You should have some knowledge of your home country and be prepared to learn about your host country before departure – our preparatory seminars help you with this.
Your parents are prepared to host an exchange student for a period, even if it does not coincide with your own exchange. This is part of the spirit of reciprocity in the exchange program.

Age limits for the 2026–2027 exchange year (based on year of birth):

Australia & New Zealand: born 2009 or 2010 · USA & Canada: born between 15 August 2008 and 31 December 2010 · Other countries: born 2008, 2009 or 2010.

Destinations

Choose three countries

Rotary sends exchange students all over the world. When you apply, you name three countries you could imagine travelling to – only one of them may be English-speaking, and you can't choose a specific region or province within a country. Hover over a highlighted country to see its name.

Rotary works continuously on the internal certification of member countries, where the safety of our exchange students is always the top priority. The availability of individual exchange countries is updated on an ongoing basis based on this certification and the current security situation.

Your application process – step by step

Applying for an exchange year with Rotary is a process that spans several months, which gives plenty of time to prepare. Here is what the timeline usually looks like:

Any time – register your interestYou can show your interest at any point during the year through the interest form, and we'll get in touch.
End of December – full applicationYour full application should be submitted. Apply in good time to secure your place.
January–March – admission noticesThe first admission notices with country placements are sent out. A second round of admissions is held for any remaining places.
April–June – preparationsAfter the country placement, visa and travel documents are started. You receive contact details in the host country, including your first host family.
June–August – camps and meetingsYou take part in preparatory camps and meetings together with other exchange students.
August – departureDeparture usually takes place in August, with some exceptions (e.g. New Zealand, Australia and sometimes Argentina).

We are with you throughout the entire application process and preparations to answer questions and give you the support you need ahead of the adventure of your life.

More about the exchange year

With Rotary you are in safe hands

Rotary is a worldwide organisation with a strong network of committed volunteers. In the youth exchange program, thousands of Rotary members work voluntarily to give you a safe and rewarding experience. Your local Rotary club and your host family are always there to support you.

During your exchange year you live with carefully selected host families. Living with families gives the most genuine cultural experience and a safe base. You attend a local school, which is crucial for integrating and getting to know young people your own age. Rotary also offers orientation meetings, joint trips and camps in the host country that strengthen the bond between exchange students.

Going with Rotary

We work voluntarily for greater understanding between people around the world. That's why you can be sure you'll be well looked after as an exchange student with us. We help and prepare you for your trip, and our program fee is low thanks to our volunteer efforts.

You have a contact person in the club you can turn to in any situation, and you get the chance to take part in a wide range of activities through the Rotary club's connections – including meetings with other exchange students and trips in your new country. Your host families are selected to give you the most enjoyable exchange year possible. As a family member you quickly pick up the language, and a language course is often arranged locally too.

Being an exchange student

An exchange year is exciting and educational. You develop not only your language skills but also yourself, and gain a big head start over peers when you have an extra language to draw on. As an exchange student you quickly learn to adapt to a new lifestyle and connect with new people.

The best way to get to know a country and its people is to live its everyday life – and that is exactly what you do as an exchange student. As a family member you take part in the family's trips, holiday celebrations and other social events, and experience the country from the inside in a way you never would as an ordinary tourist. You stand on your own two feet and become responsible and independent – an experience you carry with you and benefit from in the future, perhaps above all when applying for jobs.

Being a host family

Being a host family is both educational and fascinating. You experience a new culture without even leaving home, and you'll be surprised at how much it gives to contribute to a young person's knowledge and development.

The most demanding part is said to be saying goodbye to your new family member. It is your responsibility, together with the contact person from the club, to make sure the student feels at home. The host-family system provides a unique sense of security because every host family has a child of their own who is an exchange student and knows what it means to have a teenager in the family. After a while, usually six months, the student lives with two other host families to experience different ways of life.

Three reasons to choose Rotary

1. Non-profit organisation

Rotary is a non-profit, not-for-profit organisation. Our goal is to promote world peace through cultural exchange programs.

2. Safety

Thanks to Rotary's extensive global network and strong resources, we offer a safe and supportive environment. Our ongoing country certification always puts your safety first.

3. Program cost

The volunteer commitment results in a program fee that is almost always lower than with commercial providers. On top of that, you receive a monthly allowance from Rotary in the host country.

Travel story

I ended up in a small town called Nazareth, 1.5 hours from New York City, and lived with three really lovely host families – all with children my age. I was a senior at Nazareth Area High School with around 1,500 students and got to choose all my courses myself. If I hadn’t gone with Rotary I would never have experienced homecoming, prom, graduation, wonderful teachers and friends. Now I have a second home with family and friends in Pennsylvania – but also all around the world. An exchange year isn’t just a year of your life, it’s a life in one year.

Elsa Fastrup, 19 – USA. Read Elsa’s full story →

Documents

Forms, key facts and materials for the one-year exchange.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions and answers about Rotary's one-year exchange.

Do you have questions?

Contact your local Rotary club or get in touch with us and we'll help you on your way.

Email: info@rotarystudent.se
Phone: 08-644 74 10
Address: c/o Högberg, Hasselstigen 78, 141 71 Segeltorp