Rotary is offering students in Western Pennsylvania the opportunity to study and live in another country during the 2023-24 school year through the Rotary Youth Exchange program.

The program offers high school students the opportunity to live and study in another country during a school year. The program’s objective is to foster world peace, international understanding and goodwill by extending international communication at the personal level.

To be eligible, students should be between 15 and 18 1/2 years old, have above average academic ability and have a good character, reputation and a pleasant personality. A preliminary application and a local interview are required by the end of October, and final interviews will be held in November. Country preferences will be taken into consideration before placements are made in January.

The student's share of expenses includes a $450 youth exchange program fee, airfare, insurance and other travel costs. The hosting Rotary club will provide the student with housing with local host families, meals, schooling and a monthly allowance. More information is available at exchangestudent.org. There you also will find information about a short-term summer program.

For preliminary applications, or to obtain more information, contact Jeff Simmons of the Butler AM Rotary Club at 724-875-1136 or jssim89167@yahoo.com.