By Logan Johnson, Engagement Specialist for the Youth Exchange and Youth Protection team at Rotary International
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Youth Exchange program as one of Rotary International’s official youth programs. Although the program started well before 1975, Rotary members, program volunteers, and alumni everywhere should be proud to celebrate the last fifty years as the program has grown and become a prime example of Rotary service worldwide for so many. Rotary Youth Exchange would not be possible without the essential work that volunteers—Rotary members or nonmembers alike—contribute year after year.
But how many volunteers does it take to run Rotary Youth Exchange? What kind of volunteers are necessary to ensure students complete thousands of exchanges every year safely and successfully? Let’s address both of those questions and showcase the scale of the massive volunteer effort that tens of thousands of adults contribute to Rotary Youth Exchange every year.
The following statistics represent the total data district program leaders have provided to Rotary International since 2018. No data was collected during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused an international hiatus for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 Rotary years.
Volunteers drive success
It takes 25,000 volunteers in total each year to facilitate the Rotary Youth Exchange program. About 14,000 tend to be members, while 11,000 do not have a Rotary or Rotaract club membership.
The success of the Rotary Youth Exchange program depends on the dedication of volunteers, both Rotary members and nonmembers. Over the years, the program has seen a balanced contribution from both groups. On average, 56% of volunteers are Rotary members, while 44% are nonmembers. This diverse volunteer base ensures a rich exchange of cultures and ideas, benefiting the students and the communities involved.
Volunteers can serve Rotary Youth Exchange in a variety of ways—host families, counselors, language tutors, and, of course, members who facilitate the program.
“There are so many things to be done,” says Sabrina Barreto, a counselor for Youth Exchange students in District 4500 (Brazil). “There are relationships to build with clubs, families, and other districts. You don’t necessarily need to be involved with teenagers. There is a role for everyone.”
Members are essential
Members of Rotary and Rotaract clubs and the districts that preside over them are the core of consistent efforts to maintain a safe and effective program on a local level. An average of 4,755 clubs in certified districts participate each year.
Rotary Youth Exchange has Rotary members worldwide to thank for its enduring legacy. District and club leaders play different roles but are equally important in facilitating and navigating complex administrative and safety procedures. Every district operates its program a little differently from the next. Some organize into groups of districts called multidistricts to ensure a more cohesive and supportive experience for area volunteers. Club leaders oversee student selection and orientation and host family recruitment and preparation. Our members work tirelessly to create safe and enriching experiences that many students will reflect on fondly for years after their exchange.
District Governor Jenn Wong in New Zealand told us about her experience serving the Rotary Youth Exchange Program just last year.
“Nonetheless, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the outbound coordinator for our district’s Youth Exchange Program in New Zealand for over seven years. And it has been life-changing. Not just for me, but for my husband and our extended families and friends. The ripple effect of these young people has extended further than we ever realised.”
Host families foster connection
Over 7,000 nonmember host families and nearly 4,500 host families that contain members of Rotary offer their time, effort, and home to Rotary Youth Exchange students each year.
Host families are the backbone of the Rotary Youth Exchange program. They provide a home away from home for exchange students and offer them a unique cultural immersion experience. Interestingly, the program sees a considerable number of nonmember host families. In recent years, 61% of host families are nonmembers, while 39% are Rotary members. This mix enriches the program, as students get to experience diverse perspectives and lifestyles.
Those who host students in exchanges give their time and share a living space. Often, these are seen as a small sacrifice in exchange for the invaluable memories and what they can learn from each student to which they offer their home.
“What surprised me the most,” [George, a former student] says, “was how even though I wasn’t their family, we did things as a ‘family.’”
For many Rotary club members, the Rotary Youth Exchange program is a defining aspect of their service. For nonmembers, volunteering as a host family or in other capacities is a privilege and an opportunity to contribute to global peace and understanding. Volunteers make Rotary Youth Exchange possible.
As we celebrate fifty years of the Rotary Youth Exchange program, it’s important to recognize the countless volunteers who have helped the program reach this milestone. Their dedication and hard work have helped shape a program that continues to create a positive impact on thousands of students and volunteers and build bridges across cultures.
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