What’s an “Outbound” Exchange Student?

What’s an “Outbound” Exchange Student?

An “Outbound” is a high school student selected by Rotary clubs in Rotary District 5010 to serve as ambassadors in foreign countries. These students are open-minded, flexible individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities and have high moral standards. They become excellent cultural ambassadors for their country, supported by the Rotary club and district.

The District 5010 Alaska Rotary Youth Exchange Program offers two exchange experiences.

The District 5010 Alaska Rotary Youth Exchange Program offers two exchange experiences.
  • The Long Term Exchange Program is a year-long program where students attend school in a partner foreign country and live with 2 or 3 host families.

  • The Short Term Exchange Program is a six to eight week summer program where students live with a family in another country and then host someone from that country in their own home.

Outbounds attend orientations and meet fellow participants who help them prepare for their year abroad. They follow Rotary rules for exchange students and officially become exchange students when they leave the country on an airplane.

Students Reflect on the Life-Changing Impact of Rotary Youth Exchange

Students Reflect on the Life-Changing Impact of Rotary Youth Exchange

Long-Term Program: Experience Life-Changing Rotary Youth Exchange

Long-Term Program: Experience Life-Changing Rotary Youth Exchange

An “Outbound” is a high school student selected by Rotary clubs in our Alaska District to serve as ambassadors in foreign countries. These students are open-minded, flexible and resilient individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities and have high moral standards. Rotary Exchange Students become excellent cultural ambassadors for their country. Kids receive support by the International network of Rotary clubs, districts and stay with local Host Families in foreign countries. A history of successful participation in Youth Exchange looks great on resumes for College and employment.

Open to kids age 15-17 when out on exchange, Long Term students must be in high school and not turn 18 while on exchange. Selected as a Long Term Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll embark on a transformative journey. Attend a local Briefing Meeting with a parent/guardian to learn about the application process, costs, partner countries, assignment procedures, and more. Interviews take place in October.

While families do make an investment in sending a student on Youth Exchange (the 2026 outbound fee is $9,300), Rotary’s program is typically far more cost-effective than other exchange options. With extensive support from Rotary clubs, schools, and host families abroad, Rotary Youth Exchange is often described as providing a scholarship value exceeding $25,000.

Complete immunization records are mandatory for Long Term Outbound Youth Exchange applicants. Successful candidates are notified in January and assigned a country for their exchange year.

Monthly local orientation sessions ensure a successful exchange experience, covering Rotary values, cultural adjustment, language learning, travel essentials, and more.

Join former Rotary Youth Exchange students and meet inbound students from other countries. Adherence to program rules is crucial for a fulfilling experience.

Expand Your Horizons: Join the Rotary Short-Term Summer Exchange Program

Rotary Short Term Exchange provides high school students with an opportunity to live abroad for a brief time during the summer. Participants stay with a host family in the destination country for approximately one month, and in return, the host brother/sister will spend a month with the participating student in the USA. The program is open to kids age 15 to 19 and can even happen after high school graduation.

The program aims to foster world peace, international understanding, and goodwill by promoting personal-level international communication among high school students. Participants gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges and achievements of other countries by living with and meeting people from different cultures.

The program aims to foster world peace, international understanding, and goodwill by promoting personal-level international communication among high school students. The program is open to kids age 15 to 19 and can even happen after high school graduation. Participants gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges and achievements of other countries by living with and meeting people from different cultures.

Applicants must be sponsored by a local Rotary Club. Interested students can contact their High School Guidance Counselor, who can provide details and connect them with the Rotary Club’s Youth Exchange Chairperson.

Looking for an incredible opportunity to travel abroad, immerse yourself in a different culture, and proudly represent your home country as an ambassador? Embark on an unforgettable journey as an outbound student, or consider the rewarding experience of becoming a host family. District 5010 Rotary Youth Exchange can make it happen!