As a non-profit Rotarian volunteer-led youth exchange program, we offer one of the top economical, if not the most economical exchange programs.  Our team is led by years of Rotary Youth Exchange experience with an established support system for our students to help make their experience a safe and postive one.

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Exchange costs are dependent on the country the student is assigned to for their exchange.  In some cases, there are scholarship and local Rotary club support.  Please discuss with your local supporting Rotary club for opportunities to help reduce the overall cost of the exchange.

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District 6000 Fee: $5,100

These fees cover our district's expenses for supporting our youth exchange program and pay dues for Rotary Youth Exchange regional oversight programs (SCRYE and NAYEN.). No volunteers or Iowa host families are paid for their service to RYE.  Fee is payable in two equal installments – January at Winter Retreat and March at Outbound Training

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Estimated Roundtrip Airfare: $1,500-$2,500

Airfare MUST be purchased through our district's designated travel agency.  Airline tickets are specifically purchased in a manner and arranged to support the nuances of youth exchange.  Please do not purchase airfare through online services such as Priceline, Travelocity, etc.

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Estimated Visa: $50-$300

Visa costs are country dependent and may require travel at the student's expense to Chicago for in-person interviews during the visa application process.

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Medical Insurance: $1,000

Health insurance requirements are dependent on the host country and proof of purchase is required prior to the start of the exchange.

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CISI Bouldoc Gap Insurance Plan C (optional if required): $315

Host countries specify their own health insurance plans that meet the Rotary International requirements whether state-sponsored or private.  As a result, we cannot be certain of what medical expenses will be covered and what will not.  If a country does not have CISI Bouldoc coverage, we suggest reviewing the required host country plan and consider the purchasing the additional Plan C to cover any gaps that may exist in host country coverage that could be covered in Plan C.  Some countries already use CISI Bouldoc and the gaps addressed in Plan C are already covered, thus not required.

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Emergency Fund: $400 (Refunded upon return if not used)

Every student is required to take $400 USD and deposit it with a student's host Rotary club or possibly some other RYE support team.  This will be returned to the student before they return home from their exchange.  It is not to be viewed as money that can be alternatively used for other items such as gifts or purchases along their return home.  This is purely for emergency use only.

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Total Estimated Cost

The estimated total cost based on the variables noted above are approximately $8,500 to $10,000 (including the refundable emergency fund if not used) and is dependent on the variables noted above.  

 

A few items and caveats to take into account when considering the cost of an exchange:

• A student that completes their exchange should become very fluent in the language and be able to test out of several hours, e.g. 3-6 credit hours at a post-secondary education institution.  This is not a given and is dependent on the school a student chooses to attend and their requirements.

• If a student has an interest in an exchange experience, they should really consider a high school or gap year Rotary Youth Exchange.  Costs to attend a semester abroad in a college or university could be significantly more and the cultural experience is not the same as a full academic year.

• A student should receive from their host club a stipend of approximately $100 USD.  Some clubs provide more and others less, but $100 USD is a typical amount.  Any other activities or costs are the responsibility of the student.

• Students can ask their local sponsoring Rotary clubs for scholarship opportunities and potential means to find financial support for their exchange.

• Some programs offer a variety of tours during and post exchange.  Those tours are independent of the exchange costs noted above and are optional.  Most host countries will provide the student with details on those costs either before their arrival or during their exchange. 

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