Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a Rotary International student exchange program for students in secondary school. Since 1927, Rotary International has sent young people around the globe to experience new cultures. Currently, about 8,000 students are sponsored by Rotary clubs every year.

The Rotary Club of Nice, France initiated the first exchange in 1927. Rotary youth exchanges began in the United States in 1939 to Latin American countries and have spread world-wide. Typically, students are sent to another country for a year-long stay, allowing them to experience a completely different culture and (usually) language. The student typically lives with multiple host families during the year and is expected to perform daily tasks within the household as well as attend school in the host country.

Prior to leaving, districts hold orientations for the students. These orientations usually include a variety of seminars and activities designed to prepare students for their exchanges. Topics covered usually include program rules, discussions with former exchange students about their experiences, and information about what students need to do before their departure. Students also learn about how make a presentation about their home country and region, which they will usually be required to present to their hosting Rotary club and may be invited to present to other groups as well. Inbound exchange students may also participate in the orientations as well.

Exchange students may often be able to visit other parts of their host country and sometimes other countries while on exchange. Many districts organize tours for the students they host. These may include weekend trips to nearby cities, tours of the host country, etc. The Rotary Youth Exchange is not about traveling but rather it is more about experiencing life in the host country and learning the local language and culture.

The Rotarians that participate in the program are volunteers. RYE programs are non-profit, which helps keep the costs lower than most other exchange programs. The costs vary from district to district. The costs vary because the programs fees may include different things and costs are different in different parts of the world.

Today, many Rotary Exchange students can be recognized by their Rotary Youth Exchange blazer. While most countries recommend navy blue, the blazer may also be dark green, red, black, or maroon. The color of the blazer usually depends on which country or region the exchange student is from. One Rotary tradition is that students cover their blazers in pins and patches they have traded with other students or bought in places they have visited as evidence of their exchange. It is popular for the students to bring a large collection of pins and trade them with students from other areas. This tradition is popular worldwide.

Some blazer colors by country:

• Australia - green

• Canada - red/black/blue

• Finland - blue

• France - navy or light blue

• New Zealand - black

• South Africa - green

• United States - navy blue

• Zimbabwe - black

The Fredericton Sunrise Rotary Club are strong supporters of the Rotary Youth Exchange program and have hosted students for New Zealand, Norway, Mexico, Belgium, Japan, Thailand, Argentina, Austria, Switzerland, Venezuela and India. The Sunrise Club has sponsored students from the local area who have spent a high school year in Germany, Austria, South Africa, France, Argentina, Sweden, Switzerland and New Caledonia.

Among the other once in a lifetime experiences they have, every summer, students on a Rotary Youth Exchange in our district have an opportunity to participate in the Cross Canada Tour.

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