The Rotary Friendship Exchange Program offers Rotarians and their families the opportunity to carry out reciprocal visits, living for a few days in the homes of Rotarian families in other countries. The goal of the program is to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through interpersonal contact across national boundaries.

There are two types of Friendship Exchanges:

The Visitor Program in which individual Rotarians, who may be accompanied by family members, spend a few days in the home of a Rotarian in another country;

The Team Program in which a number of couples, typically from four to six, visit several communities in the host district for up to one month. The number of couples and length of stay is flexible, as long as it is agreed upon by the districts involved.

Both types of visits are coordinated by district Friendship Exchange committees and both are carried out at no expense to Rotary International. Also, districts are encouraged, when feasible, to consider arranging uni-vocational exchanges — exchanges in which both the host and guest Rotarians are of the same occupation.

Eligibility

Rotarians and their families, including children are eligible to participate in the visitors program; however, participation in the team program is limited to Rotarians and their spouses

For either type of exchange (visitor or team), Rotarians must apply through their club president, who will inform them if their district is participating in the program. Participating districts appoint a district Friendship Exchange chairperson, responsible for coordinating the program through the use of a list of Rotary Friendship Exchange chairpersons from around the world. A copy of this list can be obtained from Rotary International.

The chairperson is responsible for contacting other RFE chairpersons and/or club presidents to determine which districts are interested in exchanges and for arranging exchange details such as location, length of stay, number of participants, means of application and requirements for participation.

Participating districts develop their own criteria for selection of participants. Exchanges involve no liability to Rotary International.

Guidelines

	Friendship Exchanges may take place at any time during the year that is agreeable to the clubs and districts involved. Reciprocal visits may take place during the same year, or in the following year.
	The length of the stay for participants in the visitor program is several days (three or four), while those in the team program visit several communities in the host district for up to a period of four weeks.
	In all cases, guests are expected to pay their basic expenses. Variations from this standard are only at the host family's discretion and they should not be expected.

In Summary

Friendship Exchange is not simply a way to obtain friendly lodging during a business or vacation trip. The exchange of Rotary families and couples who are motivated by a sincere desire to learn about others and to share international fellowship can be an effective tool in promoting better human relations around the world. If you are interested in obtaining more information about the program please contact your district governor or the staff of the Intercultural and Recognition section at RI.

RFE BETWEEN POONA, INDIA AND MISSION VIEJO