The Lions International Youth Exchange Program was established in 1961 to give youth an opportunity to travel to exciting international destinations for up to six weeks. Whilst overseas, the youth live with one or more families associated with Lions International to experience first-hand a new culture, lifestyle and customs. Unlike some exchange programs, the Lions Youth Exchange Program does not involve tourism, academic studies or employment.
The aim of the program is “to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world”.
In Australia, Lions Youth Exchange includes –
1. outgoing Australian youth travelling overseas in December - January to live with families associated with Lions International in various countries. Lions chaperones are provided at stopovers stopovers in London and Los Angeles, and on the return flights to Australia.
2. incoming International youth (from Europe, North & South America, Scandinavia, UK, USA, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan) arriving in Australia in July-August and December-January. As well as living with one or more Australian families, many visiting exchangees attend an Australian Youth Camp which provides an opportunity to meet young people from other countries in a fun, camp environment.
To be eligible to participate in this program, outgoing Australian youth must:
- be able to fund the cost of their Youth Exchange travel ranging from $A1,500 - $A6,000 depending on destination
- be interviewed by a Lions, Lioness or Leo Club located near the youth's home town to determine their suitability for the program
- be ready to represent their community, country and their sponsoring Lions club as a youth ambassador and give verbal presentations on Australia, it's culture and their sponsoring Lions Club in Australia
- be willing to explore and accept the customs of the host culture and host families
- have a basic knowledge of the language of the host country, if necessary
- accept that the Lions Youth Exchange Program is a culture exchange and not another form of
