There are lots of organizations out there that allow students to study abroad. However, today we will be focusing on the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, thanks to which I was able to spread my wings and travel to the unknown.

affordable
I am 99% sure that most students are most concerned about one thing in particular, and that is cost. What I can tell you is that Rotary is among the most affordable programmes out there. Cost is kept to a minimum (subscription fee, health insurance, flights, visa fees). Plus, your Rotary host club will give you a monthly allowance so that you can cover expenses such as your phone bill or school supplies (you can also literally spend it on pizza and movie tickets).

you will be taken care of

Being sent to a place where everything is new to you at a young age isn't easy, is it? It is important that you always have someone to contact in case something doesn't feel just right. Rotary ensures that exchange students have counsellors in both their home town and host town. It also organizes a post-arrival orientation and many "team-building" events throughout the year (which usually coincide with outbound orientations, fundraisers, and conferences). The post-arrival orientation is probably the most exciting. You will meet all the brave exchange students from all over the world that will study nearby you, learn about the rules, meet Rotarians that will become your point of reference when something just isn't working the way it is supposed to be, and more. I still remember clearly my orientation to this day. My group and I were camping in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming. No phone connection, no social media, no warm showers. And that is how I met my best friends.

You will not wear a blazer just because it's stylish. Your blazer represents your role abroad. You will be an ambassador for your own country. Many will look at you and think "Why is that person wearing patches and pins?" but I guess that's the fun of it. Just remember that your actions will reflect your culture and where you are from, so try to be always your self best. You might be wondering if you can choose your colour and the answer is no. Every district has its own colour. Check with your local rotary before purchasing your blazer. As time passes by the jacket grows with you. All the things you do and all the people you meet will have a place in your jacket and in your heart. It's all about promoting peace, diversity, and cooperation between people. Students do so by exchanging pins the very first time they meet. It may sound silly to people not familiar with it. However, let me tell you: it is a very good way of breaking the ice when you meet someone new. You will soon end up with incredible friends from all over the world, who will love you regardless of where you are from.

We are all different from one another, even if we are from the same country, right? That is exactly why Rotary assigns students to move than one family. You will get to know more people, and, as a consequence, more about the culture of your host country. It can definitely be hard to be moving from a family you really love, but the good thing is that at the end of the year you may have not one but two families to love as your own.

What are you waiting for? Have you packed your stuff yet? The experience of your life awaits!

- Cris