Our Rotary Youth Exchange Scholars calendar begins with the start of the school year in August and continues for two calendar years to the following August with our Rebound Weekend. Let’s look at the timeline from applying to be an exchange student to returning home after a year abroad.

Orientation, Application, Selection, Training, Your Year and Return Home:

Aug year 1 – Orientation and informational weekend at Camp Mary Orton. Students and parents interested in the Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship from District 6690 will meet Rebound students, District Facilitators/Chairs and other interested exchange families.  Students and families will also learn about the exchange process within District 6690.  Parent(s) must attend one information session between August and October.

Sep year 1 – Informational weekend. Students arrive midday on Saturday, connect with other exchange applicants, Rebound students and District 6690 Inbound students. Students are released at approximately 8am on Sunday morning.

Oct year 1 – Students submit Applications for either Short-Term Exchanges or the Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship to sponsor Rotary Club(s), local interviews are held, selected students are prepared for District interviews (held in December).

Oct  year 1 – Informational weekend.  Students arrive midday on Saturday, connect with other exchange applicants, Rebound students and District 6690 Inbound students.  Students are released at approximately 8am on Sunday morning.

Nov  year 1 – Applications that have been approved and executed by a sponsor Rotary Club are due to District 6690 YE Committee.

Nov year 1 – First of 8 mandatory training weekends for Outbounds.  Students usually arrive midday on Saturday, connect with other exchange applicants, Rebound students and Inbound students.  Students are released at approximately 8am on Sunday morning.

Dec year 1 – 2nd Training weekend + District Interviews. Interviews conducted by District 6690 of students and parents of students whose applications have been accepted.  Parent attendance is mandatory.

Jan  year 2 – 3rd Training weekend.

Feb year 2 – 4th Training weekend. Student country assignments.

Mar  year 2 – 5th Training weekend.  Parent attendance is mandatory.

Apr year 2 – 6th Training weekend.

May year 2 – 7th Training weekend.

Jun year 2 – Short-Term Exchanges begin.  No training weekend in June.

Jul year 2 – 8th Training weekend. Ohio-Erie District Training Conference for Rotary Youth Exchange Scholars at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. *Student and parent attendance is required (Friday evening to Sunday Morning).  The Otterbein Weekend is always the first weekend after the 4th of July.

Jul – Sep year 2 – Long Term Exchanges begin for Rotary Youth Exchange Scholars.  Actual departure date depends on country assignment and visa processing.

Jun-Jul year 3 – Long Term Exchanges end.  Students return home.

Aug year 3 – Rebound Weekend.