Founding of Rotary Youth Exchange
Like most Rotary International programs, Rotary Youth Exchange began with two clubs. The first documented exchanges were initiated by the Rotary Club of Copenhagen in 1929 and involved only European participants. These European exchanges continued until World War II and resumed in 1946 at the end of the war. Exchanges between clubs in California and Latin American countries began in 1939, and exchange activities spread to the eastern US in 1958.
Becoming an Official Program
In 1972, the Rotary International board of directors agreed to make youth exchange an official program of Rotary International. The program is still administered by clubs, districts and multi-district groups and has grown to include more than 60 countries and more than 8,000 students each year.
Houston Rotary Youth Exchange’s Creation
Here in Houston, Rotary Youth Exchange started in 1987. The program has grown, and today we sponsor 20 exchanges each year in more than 15 countries.