Short-Term Youth Exchange

Needed: Short-term exchange partners for 20 German students, age 15 through 18, who would like to come to the U. S. this summer.

What is the Short-term Exchange Program (STEP)? It is a program that gives students age 15 to 19 the opportunity to experience a cultural exchange in a foreign country for a time period of four weeks to six months, instead of a whole year. This is preferably done on a reciprocal basis.

What is the Responsibility of the U. S. Club When Hosting a STEP Student? a) The hosting club needs to meet District (6440) and RI policy. b) The hosting club YEO has to visit, interview and qualify a host family and have them fill out the CSRYE Host Family Application Form (background check required). c) The hosting club enrolls the student into the school and the school lunch program, if the exchange takes place during the school year.

What is the Cost for the U. S. Club When Hosting a STEP Student? The cost for the hosting club is limited to school enrollment fees and school lunches, if the student is hosted when school is in session. It is strongly recommended to invite both the inbound and outbound student to a Rotary meeting for the club members getting to know them and to have them give a report about the exchange. All other expenses are paid by the student.

What is the Responsibility of the U. S. Club When Sending a STEP Student? The sending club has to make sure that the student that wants to go abroad fills out the R. I. short-term application. Then the youth exchange officer of the sending club has to interview and qualify the student for the exchange and forward the application to the Short-term Youth Exchange Chair.

What is the Cost for the Club When Sending a STEP Student? There is no cost for the sending club. All expenses are paid by the student.

What is the Cost for the Student? Students pay for the airline ticket and spending money and need to have adequate insurance. Processing fee for the application is $ 50.00.

Contact for More Information: Rick Kuehn, STYE Chair District 6440 (phone 847-356-2834 ; Cell : 847-417-5252 ; e-mail rickkuehn_stye@juno.com ).

Why is This Program So Attractive to Clubs and Host Families? The time commitment is much shorter for the clubs and for the families involved. There is little or no cost involved for the clubs.

Benefit of the Reciprocal Exchange: It simplifies the exchange. The outbound student’s family will be the hosting family for the inbound. It doubles the cultural experience, because the students of both countries are together for a longer period of time. It can be assumed that the host family in the other country will do for your child what they hope you will do for theirs. Lifelong international friendships are formed.