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What if a single year abroad could rewire how a teenager sees the world—and how a community sees its purpose? We sit down with a former Rotary exchange student who now leads District 5330’s Youth Exchange, tracing a full-circle journey from northern France to district leadership and showing exactly how language, culture, and service combine to build peace.
We break down the essentials for students and families: who can apply (ages 15–19), how the application and interviews work, and what outbound orientations really prepare you for—homesickness, culture shock, and the responsibility of being an everyday ambassador. You’ll hear how immersion turns into real results, from mastering French while living with a Spanish-speaking host family to earning a French diploma equivalency. We also highlight the current cohort: four inbounds from Brazil, Denmark, and Spain, plus outbounds in France and the Czech Republic, all modeling what “global citizen” means in practice.
Safety and structure are front and center. We walk through youth protection training, Department of State clearances, live-scan background checks, and the rigorous standards for host families. You’ll learn how our district partners with a multi-district consortium to share best practices and expand opportunities, and why recruiting more host families remains the biggest unlock for growth. Most importantly, we share practical ways Rotarians and listeners can help: hosting, joining club committees, visiting schools, promoting the outbound link, and amplifying deadlines to widen access for students who might otherwise miss out.
If you care about cultural exchange, language learning, study abroad, teen leadership, or grassroots peacebuilding, this conversation offers a clear roadmap and a renewed sense of purpose. Subscribe, share this with a family or educator who needs it, and leave a review telling us how you can support the next global citizen from your community.

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