Welcome

Types of Rotary Youth Exchanges …. and participants from Skaneateles 

Each year, local Rotary districts and clubs worldwide arrange thousands of international exchanges for high school-aged students. The primary goal of the program is to foster world understanding by way of intercultural exchange. There are two principal types of exchanges:

Long-term exchanges: These exchanges usually last an academic year in the host country, during which the student lives with more than one host family (usually three families for three months at a time) and attends school.

See below for those students currently participating in Skaneateles Rotary Youth Exchange

Short-term exchanges: These vary from a few weeks to three months. They often take place when school is not in session and usually do not include an academic program. Short-term exchanges usually involve a homestay experience with a family in the host country, but also can be organized as international youth camps and tours that bring together students from many countries.  

Contact Information: Please contact Skaneateles Rotarians Lee Bennett or Lori Ruhlman for more information on participating in the Youth Exchange Programs.  Lee’s email is: peglee862@aol.com  and phone:  685-3937 -  Lori’s email is: loriruhlman@msn.com and phone: 729-2831

Hosting a Youth Exchange Student  from another country is a challenge — and an opportunity. Involvement with an exchange student challenges a host family to become familiar with another culture, while providing the opportunity to share a student's hopes and ambitions. These challenges and opportunities promise to enrich the lives of every member of your family.

Because Rotary exchanges with more countries than any other exchange organization, you could have a student from one of 82 countries living in your home. Not only will you provide an unforgettable service to a student from abroad, but you also will educate your family about the world around them.