Welcome

The Rotary Youth Exchange program in Kelowna, BC is an active initiative operated by several local Rotary clubs, including the Rotary Club of Kelowna, Kelowna Sunrise, and Kelowna Capri, as part of Rotary District 5060.

Key details:

Purpose: The program enables high school students to spend up to a year living and studying abroad, while also welcoming international students to Kelowna. It aims to foster cultural understanding, leadership, and global citizenship.

Structure: Each year, the Kelowna clubs coordinate the logistics of sending one student abroad and hosting one inbound student from another country.

District 5060: Kelowna is part of Rotary District 5060, which covers a large area from Clearwater, BC, to Grandview, WA. The district runs a coordinated Youth Exchange program, with local contacts for each area.

Application Process: The selection process includes an information session (typically in September), city interviews (October), and district interviews (December) for outbound students.

Local Contacts:

For the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise: Martha Kennedy, District Youth Exchange Chair.

For the Rotary Club of Kelowna: Bruce Henderson, Youth Exchange Officer (email: bphenderson@telus.net).

Activities: 

Inbound students participate in local events and excursions, such as a "Weekend in the Snow" at Silverstar, and other gatherings with fellow exchange students in the region.

Other Clubs: The Rotary Club of Kelowna Capri and West Kelowna Daybreak also support the program, with a history of sending and hosting students from countries such as Italy and Colombia.

The program is well-established and supported by the Kelowna Rotary community, offering life-changing international experiences for local youth and their families. For more information or to apply, interested students and parents should contact the local Youth Exchange Officer or attend the annual information session.