The Okotoks Rotary Club is working to help connect students around the world.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program swaps student-for-student with affiliates overseas to allow students to spend time going to school while experiencing culture in another country.

Jeff McFarlane, the chair of the exchange program, says the program is targeted for kids in high school.

"Basically students are able to go on exchange, usually between the age of 16 and 18 at the time they leave, so right now we're looking for students that are and 15 and a half to 17 and a half years old to apply to the program for the departure next August," he says.

Students taking part in the exchange are required to do schooling while abroad. First, students must apply to the program, then once an interview has been conducted and they've been selected, they will move on to an orientation program for the next year before they leave.

McFarlane says the clubs are careful with how students are placed.

"The exchange program is worked through Rotary International on a district-to-district basis so our district here encompasses the clubs of southern Alberta and we generally send out about 20 students a year abroad and bring in about 20 students."

A letter to students at the Foothills Composite High School will be sent home about the program and meetings will be held at Holy Trinity Academy.

More information on the program can be found here.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com