International Youth Exchange Program

Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarships

Every year, Kingston Rotary clubs select students from the Kingston area to study for a year abroad. High school students are chosen based on their grades, general knowledge of Canada and world affairs, speaking ability, and aspirations. Rotarians, or friends of Rotarians, in a foreign country host them for 3 to 4 months at a time. The host Rotary club provides room and board and a small monthly allowance. In return, Kingston Rotarians and friends host incoming students for the year.

Our club has participated in this program every year since the early 1980s and our outbound students have gone to countries such as Brazil, Ecuador, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Czech Republic, Japan, Germany, India, Mexico, Slovakia and Thailand. They attend high school, continuing their learning, but they also learn the local language, returning fluent. They have made life-long friends, not only through their hosts but also with other exchange students whom they meet during the year.

Students (between the ages of 15 and 18-1/2) apply in the Fall. For more information, visit the District 7040 Youth Exchange website.