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 laws of the host country at all times, and the rules of the program, as defined by the hosting and sponsoring Rotary Districts.
These are based on common sense and relate to personal behaviour, safety and the expectations of being an ambassador for their country, their family, themselves and Rotary.
Students must return to Australia after completing their exchange by the most direct route as arranged by the Rotary District’s 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 state 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.
- No body piercing or obtaining tattoos while on the exchange.
Attendance at school
All students are required to attend a secondary level school for the duration of the exchange. This is a requirement of a student visa.
COVID-19 Policy
Our Rotary District 9705 COVID-19 Policy requires any Inbound or Outbound student that wishes to participate in our program to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination is required.
All host family members (age eligible) and volunteers working directly with the students must also be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine for the student’s safety and before hosting.
Students must comply with the health requirements of any jurisdiction entered. These include:
- the wearing of masks
- receiving any required booster
- compliance with lockdowns and quarantine.
Rotary 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 who participate 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.
