Short Term Exchange Program

READY FOR THE SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE?

The Short Term Exchange Program (STEP) is a short term summer exchange between families.  The student lives with a foreign student’s family for approximately one month and then both students return to Canada or the US where the foreign student lives with the student’s family for another month.  In some cases, the foreign student spends the first month with our students and then both travel overseas for the next month. The program needs students and parents as a team who are committed to spending the Summer with their exchange experience.  Students wishing to go to South America will need to Host sometime between mid-November and mid-January. You can find more information in the right side bar.

Eligibility

You must be aged 15 to 19 years and can have graduated from high school.

Timeline

Your initial interview will be held in September. If accepted, all application materials must be submitted to the District STEP Coordinator no later than December 31st. An orientation is held for students and parents in late January for Canadian participants and in early February for the US participants. Then you should expect to be matched with your family by May at the latest.

Travel

Travel arrangements are the sole responsibility of the families involved and the travel arrangement preferably should be done through a Travel Agency.
 

Finances

If accepted on the program, there is a $400 deposit payable which does include the cost of medical insurance and $50 administration fee. This program is fully funded by the student and their parents. We estimate costs of around $2,000 US to take part in the program.

Countries

If you are accepted, you will be asked to select countries that you might like to exchange with.  Right now, we offer exchanges to:
 
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Turkey, Uraguay/Argentina.
(NOTE:  The list of exchange partners is not firm.  We'll be trying to finalize our exchange partner list for 2022-23 by the first weekend in December, but there may be Covid related changes)

Interested in applying?

The first step is to apply with a local Rotary club as all applicants must be sponsored by a local Rotary club and district.  If you are not in Rotary District 5020, you must apply with a Rotary club in your home country or district.  You will be asked to complete a preliminary application. Your district chair and your local club will help guide you through the application and interview process. Then Rotary clubs will selected students from the applications for an interview.  If selected to participate the student will then complete the remainder of the specialized STEP application.
 
STEP Resources
Youth Exchange Programs Menu
 
Program Resources
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