Thread: Tell Me About International Exchange Programs

Right on, just did some google searches. Do you have to be a student to enlist yourself in Rotary? I checked and most of them are student programs, and I graduate in two weeks...

I would love to do work or volunteer hours, if anything. How did you get the volunteer work one?

Oh... well, depending on your age you might be too old for the program especially by the time you sign up. You don't necessarily have to be a student, but for most of them the max age (by the time you leave) has to be 18-19 years old, and it takes a long time to sign up for it (as in, I doubt you can go now because it is so late in the year). For the volunteer work one, I researched on my own for "spanish schools" in Ecuador and there was a volunteer program. I mostly did it because I had to have volunteer hours for my high school, but it was still really fun (and the guy's daughter who I did work for was super super hot....). Anyways, I just found a program that had classes, volunteer work optional and I could stay with a host family. If I were you I'd try to research some programs to do volunteer work in Australia. Perhaps something like habitat (http://www.habitat.org/intl/ap/12.aspx) or something like that. I looked at the Peace Corps website, but they don't offer Australia as a country, not to mention I heard that you can't choose where you go?

When I was 16 (about a million years ago) I did an exchange program to Germany. It was a great experience, and I recommend it to anyone. You learn a lot by spending time in another country.

I studied abroad in Ireland, one of the best experiences of my life!

Looks like it's disgustingly easy to get a job or volunteer or whatever abroad. However, you'll probably need a thousand or so bucks to pay for whichever program... The ones I were looking at were in New Zealand. You pay some deposit thing and then you go find some job, fairly easily. The only downside about the jobs is that they're really low paying stuff, but if you don't mind not having any money after the trip, then that's no problem.

I was a Rotary exchange student to Japan in 2000-01. They'll sponsor students in any country Rotary is active in. It was a really good deal. I got $300 a month living stipend, host family, three meals a day, and an incredible experience. I've also managed to use the Japanese I learned as a marketable skill. If you can get a club to sponsor you, go for it.

I'm too old to be a student, though, I think.

Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

I'm too old to be a student, though, I think.

Are you going to college/university in the future? You can study abroad then, as a student.