Rotary Sweden–Latvia · Rotary Youth Exchange
Costs & fees

What does it cost to become an exchange student?

Rotary's youth exchanges are run by volunteers – which is why the program fee is far lower than with commercial providers. Here's what each program costs and what's included.

A full exchange year with Rotary costs a program fee of SEK 65,000 for countries in Europe or SEK 75,000 for other countries. Because Rotary is a non-profit organisation, this is often far cheaper than equivalent programs with commercial providers – and accommodation, meals and pocket money in the host country are included at no extra cost.

Rotary’s youth exchange is built on volunteer work. Thousands of Rotarians around the world give their time for free, and host families open their homes entirely without payment. That’s why the program fee can be kept low – in practice you only pay for what the exchange actually costs to administer, insure and prepare, not for any profit.

Curious but not ready to decide? A register-interest form is free and comes with no obligation whatsoever – we'll get in touch and answer your questions.

Program fees at a glance

One-year exchange

SEK 65,000–75,000 program fee, plus a SEK 1,000 registration fee. Accommodation, meals and pocket money are included. Read more →

Summer exchange

SEK 6,000 program fee and a SEK 500 registration fee. An affordable first step out into the world. Read more →

Camps

From SEK 1,700 program fee including insurance. Board and lodging are usually covered by the camp organiser. Read more →

Georgia Scholarship

A scholarship covering tuition, board and lodging on campus. You pay for travel and insurance. Read more →

Fees may vary slightly from year to year. Current amounts and application dates are always on each program page.

What’s included in the program fee?

The one-year exchange is the most comprehensive. It covers essentially everything you need to live and study in your host country:

Accommodation

You live with carefully selected host families who open their home entirely free of charge – usually three different families over the year.

Meals and allowance

Meals with your host family are included, and the Rotary club in your host country gives you a monthly allowance for everyday expenses.

Schooling

Your place at a local school is arranged and paid for by Rotary in the host country.

Insurance

Comprehensive insurance for the whole exchange year is part of the program fee.

Preparation

Compulsory preparatory camps and seminars before departure are included.

Support all year

A contact person in your host club and Rotary's global network are there for you and your host family.

On top of this you receive equipment such as a blazer, polo shirt and business cards ahead of your exchange year.

Additional costs

Some costs are your and your family’s own responsibility and are not part of the program fee:

  • Return flight to your host country
  • Visa and any necessary vaccinations
  • Compulsory medical and dental check-ups
  • Pocket money for your own leisure, travel, outings and clothes
  • A school uniform where the school requires one

Costs for the other programs

Summer exchange – family to family

The program fee is SEK 6,000 and the registration fee SEK 500. The fee covers administration and insurance. You cover the travel (flight) yourself, plus any visa costs and vaccinations. Because you stay with – and host in return – an exchange student family to family, accommodation and meals are free.

Read more about applying for the summer exchange →

Camps – a few weeks in Europe

You pay a program fee from SEK 1,700 that includes insurance, plus travel to and from the camp and your own pocket money. Board and lodging are covered by the camp organiser unless stated otherwise. Some camps charge a separate camp fee – this is shown in the camp list.

Read more about applying for camps →

Georgia Scholarship – a college year in the USA

Here you pay no program fee to Rotary. The scholarship from the Rotary clubs in Georgia covers tuition, course materials and board and lodging on campus, plus a small expense allowance. You cover the travel to and from the USA and insurance yourself.

Read more about the Georgia Scholarship →

Are there scholarships?

Taking part in Rotary’s youth exchange can be seen as a scholarship in itself. Thanks to the volunteer commitment, the program fee is already considerably lower than the cost of equivalent programs with commercial organisations – Rotarians subsidise the program for every participant.

Rotary therefore does not offer separate scholarships for the program fee itself, but some districts and clubs may occasionally contribute smaller scholarships. Want to know what applies where you live? Find your club or contact us and we’ll help you further. As for study grants, you’ll need to check with CSN yourself whether you’re eligible.

Ready to take the first step? Register your interest – it's free and comes with no obligation. We'll tell you more about what an exchange year costs and involves, and match you with your local Rotary club.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

What does an exchange year with Rotary cost?
The program fee for Rotary's one-year exchange is SEK 65,000 for countries in Europe and SEK 75,000 for other countries, plus a registration fee of SEK 1,000. The fee covers accommodation with host families, meals, a monthly allowance from Rotary in the host country, schooling, insurance and preparatory seminars, among other things. Flights, visa and personal expenses are additional.
Why is Rotary's exchange cheaper than commercial alternatives?
Rotary's youth exchange is built entirely on volunteer work. Thousands of Rotarians around the world give their time for free, and host families open their homes without payment. There is no profit motive, so the program fee essentially only covers administration, insurance and preparation – not a profit margin. That's why the cost is almost always lower than with commercial organisations.
Is the flight included in the program fee?
No. The return flight to your host country, visa and any vaccinations are additional and paid by you and your family. The same applies to compulsory medical and dental check-ups and to pocket money for your own leisure and travel.
Do I have to pay for accommodation and meals during the exchange year?
No. During the one-year exchange you live with carefully selected host families who open their home entirely free of charge, and you also receive a monthly allowance from the Rotary club in your host country. Accommodation, meals and schooling are free.
Are there scholarships that cover the program fee?
Rotary does not offer separate scholarships for the program fee itself – because the fee is already heavily subsidised through Rotarians' volunteer work. Some districts and clubs may occasionally contribute smaller scholarships. Contact your local club to find out what applies where you live.
What do the summer exchange and camps cost?
The summer exchange has a program fee of SEK 6,000 plus a SEK 500 registration fee. Camps cost from SEK 1,700 in program fee including insurance, plus travel and pocket money. Current amounts are always listed on each program page.

Do you have questions?

Contact your local Rotary club or get in touch with us and we'll help you on your way.

Email
[email protected]
Phone
08-644 74 10
Address
c/o Högberg, Hasselstigen 78, 141 71 Segeltorp