Short Term/Summer Exchange

Ready For The Summer Of Your Life?
The Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) is a short-term summer exchange between families.   STEP presents opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to briefly live in a different country. The STEP program is a family-to-family multi-week exchange program typically conducted during the summer months .

Typically, San Diego based students will first travel to the foreign student’s home and spend 3-6 weeks there, followed by the foreign student coming to the San Diego student’s home for 3-6 weeks.

While Rotary facilitates the match, most of the logistics, including travel dates and flight arrangements, are handled by the families. The San Diego  family must agree to host the foreign student, or identify a suitable host family. Host families must complete a host family application, with all adults (18 years and older) must clear a background check and complete training requirements to ensure compliance with Rotary protection requirements.

The program needs students and parents as a team who are committed to spending the Summer with their exchange experience.

Travel

Travel arrangements for Short Term Exchange are the sole responsibility of the families and students involved. It is recommended that the travel arrangement should be made through an experienced Travel Agency such as Tzell Travel (https://tzellyouthexchange.com), which specialized in youth exchange travel arrangements.

 

Program Costs

If accepted to the program, the cost is $300 deposit which includes the cost of travel insurance and orientation. This program is fully funded by the students and their parents. We estimate costs of approximately $2,000 USD to take part in the program.

Countries

If you are accepted, you will be asked to select the countries that you might like to exchange with. Below is a sample of the countries we have established exchanges with:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic/ Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, So. Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan ( countries subject to change).

Interested In Applying?

To apply, start by submitting the preliminary application form available on the Contact Us page (see button below). You will be put in contact with your local Rotary club who will help guide you through the application and interview process. If selected to participate you will then complete the remainder of the specialized STEP application.

Let's Get Started

Travel Requirements

COVID Protocol – Each Rotary District maintains its own Youth Protection Policy which addresses such topics as the management and handling of students who are either exposed or contract COVID viruses. In general, they are put under observation and quarantined by their host families until the mandatory waiting period (typically 5-10 days, depending on the country protocols).

Vaccinations – Students are required to be vaccinated and must show evidence of having received a complete vaccination protocol and booster shots where needed prior to travel to the host country. Specific vaccinations required are: Measles (Rubeola), German measles (Rubella), Mumps, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis A/B, Scarlet Fever, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), and Covid-19. Other vaccinations may be required depending on the specific country the student is traveling to.

Travel Documents - A current passport that will be valid for the duration of the travel.