A beloved international program is inviting Australian families to open their homes to visiting high school students from abroad.

The same program also encourages local youths the opportunity to spend up to 12 months overseas.

The Rotary Youth Exchange program offers Year 9 to Year 11 students a chance to live with a host family, attend a secondary school in another country, and experience a new culture, language, and way of life.

Under the program, students gain confidence, maturity, and independence while broadening their worldview.

Host families also benefit from cultural exchange, often forming lifelong friendships with the students, Rotary Club members, and other participants.

In Australia, families hosting students typically provide a three- to four-month stay, with many opportunities to learn about different foods, customs, and languages.

The program welcomes a variety of family structures, from families with young children to those with grown children who no longer live at home.

To apply, families should complete the Host Family application form, which is then forwarded to the nearest Rotary Youth Exchange administrator.

From there, applicants undergo interviews and must meet state requirements for people working or volunteering with children.

While Rotary provides substantial support, there is no obligation to host, and interest is simply recorded for consideration when an opportunity arises.

Cooma Rotary secretary, Sally Thornton, and a former exchange student host, shared insights into how families are matched with students.

“The process is flexible and depends on a range of factors, me learn about students from several countries and work to find the best match, so hosting isn’t guaranteed every year, but the opportunities are rich when they do occur,” Ms Thornton said.

“The program’s collaborative structure, involving the host family, a district youth coordinator, and a school counsellor to support the student throughout the journey is what makes the experience enriching for both the student and host family.”

Ms Thornton hosted an American exchange student named, Alaina, last year and described the experience as wholesome, one she will cherish and encourages other families to take up the opportunity.

“We’ve had some host families grow such a connection that they attend their exchange students’ weddings and events,” Ms Thornton said.

“I have remained close to Elina, and we keep in close contact, the experience overall was rewarding, and I enjoyed having her around.

“Every Sunday she cooked, and it was always a meal showing patronage to her hometown and roots, through these many exchanges we grew a close bond and connection one I will cherish forever.”

Host families and participants are subject to reference and comprehensive background checks, including working with children and police checks.

Rotary staff and volunteers also assist with visa processes and any medical requirements tied to travel and costs are typically shared.

Most travel expenses fall to the exchange student’s family, with incidental costs arising during the stay and any activities such as Easter trips to be that of the host family’s responsibility.

“We encourage our host families to treat the exchange students as if they were part of their own family, including taking trips together and any other basics the student may need,” Ms Thornton said.

Rotary’s established, international framework provides a structured pathway for cultural exchange, with a focus on fostering goodwill and understanding between countries.

Sally Thornton and other local Rotarians plan on attending school assemblies and school presentations to raise awareness and recruit interested students who may be wanting to find out more about the program.

Families, schools, and students interested in the Exchange program or learning more are encouraged to contact Cooma Rotary club or visit the Rotary Youth Exchange information page.