Summer is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year for Rotary Youth Exchange in Rotary District 6650. As one exchange year comes to a close, another begins, bringing new opportunities for students, host families, and Rotary clubs to create lifelong connections across cultures.
Summer is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year for Rotary Youth Exchange in Rotary District 6650. As one exchange year comes to a close, another begins, bringing new opportunities for students, host families, and Rotary clubs to create lifelong connections across cultures.
This summer, we celebrated the completion of an unforgettable year for our 2025–2026 inbound students while welcoming home our outbound students after their own incredible international experiences. At the same time, preparations are underway to welcome our 2026–2027 inbound students, who will begin arriving over the next two weeks, and we wish our newest outbound student safe travels as they begin their adventure abroad. Looking ahead, applications are now open for students interested in participating in the 2027–2028 Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Rotary clubs of Alliance, East Palestine, Jackson Township, Louisville, Millersburg, North Canton, and Wooster for sponsoring and hosting students Akshara, Jiri, Julius, Keller, Lena, Mamo, Maria, Mira, Nico, Paolo, and Serena. Their exchange experiences were made possible through the generosity of dedicated host families and committed Rotarian volunteers. We also thank the Rotary clubs of Boardman, East Canton, Malvern, Minerva, and Youngstown for welcoming and engaging with our exchange students throughout the year.
The new exchange year promises another exciting calendar of events, including student orientation, monthly overnight gatherings, and a fall trip to Niagara Falls designed to help our inbound students build friendships and experience the best of our district.
As local schools prepare to welcome students back, the District 6650 Youth Exchange Committee will also be reaching out to high school administrators and guidance counselors to promote Rotary Youth Exchange. Clubs can play a vital role by introducing the program to schools in their communities and sharing the outbound application with students who will be 15 to 18½ years old at the time of departure in August or September 2027. Applications are available at www.yehub.net/OER-obapp.
There are many ways for clubs to become involved. Whether your club is interested in sponsoring or hosting a future exchange student, welcoming students to a community event, hosting an overnight experience, or providing financial support to strengthen student programming, your participation helps make Rotary Youth Exchange an extraordinary life-changing opportunity.
The Rotary District 6650 Youth Exchange Committee is available to provide presentations or answer questions about how your club can become involved. For more information, contact District Chair Brent Rice at 330-749-7120 or D6650RotaryYouthExchange@gmail.com.