Long Term Youth Exchange FAQ’s

COVID 19 UPDATE - 8/27/23

After cancelling the exchange program for 2 years, we started it back up in August 2022 with long term exchanges. It was a slow start but we did manage to get the program back up and running.

For the 2023-24 exchange we are totally up and running and look for our outbound and inbound students to have a great exchange year. All of our partner countries are also back up and running so things look like they are fully back to normal.

We also began our short term exchanges during the summer of 2023 and were able to facilitate over 40 exchanges for ESSEX.

We are currently accepting both short term applications for the summer of 2024 and long term exchange for the 2024-2025 exchange year. Check out our website for more information and the links to those two applications.

The only COVID restriction in place at this time is that all of our inbound and outbound students must have been vaccinated with at least two shots against COVID. We will evaluate this requirement as the year progresses.

WHAT IS DISTRICT 7950?

Rotary District 7950 encompasses 65 Rotary Clubs in the Southeastern part of Massachusetts, Cape Cod, the Islands and the State of Rhode Island.

Currently not all of the Rotary Clubs in District 7950 participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program but we work with a number of them to sponsor and host students. Contact us for more information.

WHAT IS ESSEX?

Every District in the Rotary International World is encouraged to arrange and participate in Youth Exchanges. In 1966, to help facilitate the smoother functioning of the program, a number of Rotary Districts in New England and the mid-Atlantic States combined into a consortium called ESSEX (Eastern States Student Exchange).

Today, ESSEX has grown to include 32 Rotary districts, spanning from Quebec province, through all of the New England States, most of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, southern West Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, northeast Tennessee and Bermuda. In addition, Long Island and the lower section of the Hudson Valley are also ESSEX members.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR ESSEX’S LONG-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM?

High school students of good character, warm personalities and average to above average academic performance. Candidates should be adaptable and flexible, well mannered, and want to learn about other countries and cultures. Students must be 15 years of age and cannot be older than 18 1/2 on August 1 of the year of departure. Children of Rotarian’s and non-Rotarian’s are eligible and encourage to apply.

HOW DO I START THE PROCESS TO BECOME A LONG-TERM ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT?

Candidates must be sponsored by a local Rotary Club. Contact any member of that club. He or she will put you in touch with its Youth Exchange Chairperson regarding details and application forms. Your high school counselor is usually familiar with the local Rotary Club and can help you make that contact. If your local Rotary Club does not participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, please use the contact section of this website to contact the District 7950 Rotary Youth Exchange Chairperson.

WHY IS IT CALLED AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM? DOES THAT MEAN THAT MY PARENTS MUST HOST AN FOREIGN STUDENT?

In theory, YES! An exchange is made between Rotary organizations here and abroad with our student going abroad and their student coming here. A Rotary Club that sponsors an outbound exchange student must agree to host an inbound exchange student.

Ideally, parents of our outbound students will host a foreign inbound exchange student for part of the year and will also help identify other host families who would them be approved by the Rotary Club and the Rotary District.

DO I HAVE TO SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO BE ACCEPTED?

It depends on the country you select. The program is cultural and academic in nature. Generally, it lasts a full academic year and requires students to attend the local high school which usually teaches in a foreign language. The need for a working knowledge or proficiency in the language varies depending on the country. In some countries classes are taught using the English language. In other countries, classes are taught in the countries native language.

Some countries provide language courses to newly accepted exchange students for a modest fee. It is also important that you get a basic knowledge of your host country and their language before you depart on your exchange. It is encouraged and sometimes mandatory that each student takes a crash language course or tutoring in the language of their host country. Knowing as much as possible of the language upon arrival in your host country is very beneficial and will make adjustment to your new home and culture that much easier.

HOW MANY HOST FAMILIES WILL I HAVE?

Rotary Exchange students are generally hosted by two to four families during their exchange year, but you will always remain in the same school district. This allows for a broader understanding of the cultural and social/economical aspects of the region, while simultaneously allowing more families to participate in the program This also encourages a variety of activities during your exchange year.

WHAT COUNTRIES MAY I GO TO WITH THE ROTARY ESSEX LONG-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM?

Students may go to most countries in the world where the region has established exchange agreements with ESSEX. We use a matching process to help determine where each student’s country will be. Students are not sent to countries that have significant political problems. The ESSEX exchange program has established exchanges on all continents. View the Country selection list located on the Home page for current opportunities.

MAY I TRAVEL?

While this is not a tourist program, travel is sometimes available with the host families and members of the local Rotary Clubs. Also trips may be arranged by the host District. In addition, group tours may be arranged by Rotary which are usually at the student’s expense. You may not travel alone or without the permission of you host District.

ARE EDUCATIONAL CREDITS TRANSFERABLE?

Some U.S. high schools do accept credits. However it depends upon your school system and the foreign school. To get credit, you MUST make arrangements with your local high school principal prior to your exchange departure. Universities may also give up to six credits for a foreign language, but you must apply for it with that school’s administration.

IS THE ESSEX LONG-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM OFFICIALLY APPROVED?

Yes! ESSEX is a member of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), a nonprofit organization committed to setting standards for international educational travel and monitoring compliance with those standards. Our program is also overseen and approved by the U.S. Department of State.

WHY ARE ROTARY’S STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS BETTER THAN OTHER PROGRAMS?

The Rotary International Exchange Program is volunteered driven It is organized and administered by volunteer Rotarians and their families throughout the world, within the local Rotary club, the district and regionally. Rotary volunteers screen student applications, select the exchange students, prepare them for their exchange year and help arrange hosting abroad, travel, insurance, school admission, visas, etc. All of this is done by Rotarians as an unpaid service. In addition, your progress will be monitored by your sponsoring club and district and they will be there to assist you if needed during your year abroad.

Because we depend on volunteers, the Rotary Program is the least expensive, safest and highest quality program. Students are provided local supervision by members of the local Rotary Club, who are directly involved in the welfare of our exchange students. Because of this close connection with local Rotarian advisors, students away from home are more comfortable knowing that Rotarians from their host club are available to help and offer guidance.

Students often attend Rotary Club meetings and get to know Rotarians who are generally the local business and professional leaders of that community. Sometimes these connections benefit students later in life in their academic, business or professional lives.

HOW WILL I BENEFIT FROM BEING ABROAD?

Living in a foreign country has a powerful effect on your maturing process. Managing your own finances and making decisions gives you more confidence and independence. You learn to think and converse fluently in another language. You develop more confidence in speaking before groups. You become more tolerant of other people, different cultures and different personalities. Your youth exchange experience will be priceless, something that you can’t replicate any other way.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

It is estimated that if a student had to pay for all the expenses of a cultural exchange and academic year in another country it would cost from $8,000 to $10,000. So, essentially the long-term exchange should be viewed as a scholarship covering the costs of living and studying abroad for a year.

Expenses for the student of our long-term exchange program are round trip airfare which varies based on your country selection, health insurance, and miscellaneous expenses. In addition, any traveling you do will be an added expense. You will receive a monthly stipend from your host Rotary Club which is usually between $100 - 125. (This will be in the local currency) Additionally, financial assistance may be available in some cases for financially disadvantaged students, If needed, you should check with your local Rotary Club or District for more information.