While Rotary Districts run their programs in accordance with Rotary International’s policy, each will have its own specific rules that may vary slightly, which students are required to follow.
Students are required to adhere to the host country’s laws and the program’s rules at all times, as defined by the hosting and sponsoring Rotary Districts.
These are based on common sense and relate to personal behaviour, safety and the expectation that the student will uphold high standards as a youth ambassador for their country, Rotary District, club and family.
Students must return to Australia after completing their exchange by the most direct route as arranged by our program.
Program Rules
- Obey the laws of the host country.
- Abide by the rules and conditions of the host Rotary District, including travel rules. Parents or legal guardians must not authorise any extra activities directly to their child. Any relatives living in the host country will not have any authority.
- No operating of motorised vehicles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, boats and other watercraft, or participation in driver education programs.
- No drinking of alcoholic beverages (unless the host Rotary District states it’s permissible in some circumstances and you are over the country’s legal drinking age).
- No possession or use of illegal drugs.
- No romantic relationships or sexual activity.
- Body piercing or obtaining tattoos is prohibited while on the exchange.
Attendance at school
All students must attend a secondary-level school for the duration of the exchange. This is a requirement of a student visa.
Rotary Youth Protection Policy
In line with its objective to provide the best student exchange program, Rotary International has developed a worldwide certification process for all participating clubs and the necessary infrastructure of the program.
As part of its working with youth policy, the Board of Rotary International has made the following statement as a Code of Conduct:
Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth participating in Rotary activities. Rotary members, members’ spouses and partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people they come into contact with and protect them from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
All Rotary Districts, Clubs and Rotary members must comply with Rotary International’s Youth Protection Policy. A copy of the Youth Protection Policy is available on the Rotary District 9705 website.
