The Rotary International Exchange Program is volunteer driven. It is organized and administered by volunteer Rotarians and their families throughout the world. The Operation is done at several levels, namely: the local Rotary club, the district, and the regional levels. They screen applicants, select the students, prepare them, arrange hosting abroad, travel, insurance, school admission, visas, etc.
All of this work is done by Rotarians as a service. They are not paid to provide this service. Rotarians select host families on the basis of quality. In programs where people are paid to find host families, they tend to sacrifice quality in order to satisfy their quotas. Rotary does not believe this to be in the best interest of the students. Ultimately, such operational costs end up being passed on to the parents.
The Rotary Program is the least expensive program.
Students are provided local supervision by members of the local hosting Rotary club, who are directly involved in the welfare of these students.
Students often attend Rotary Club meetings and get to know Rotarians who are generally the local business and professional leaders of that community. This should be of great value for the exchange students later in their lives as professionals, in business, etc., for they already have established contacts.
At times of immediate need, students who are away from home will be more comfortable knowing that any Rotarian of their host club will be available to help and offer guidance.
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