Short-Term Youth Exchange FAQs
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.
HOW DO I GO ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN THE ROTARY SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM?
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?
You will be matched with a a student of similar interests in a country of your choice. The two of you will spend an agreed upon time together. Half of that time will be in your home with you and your family and the other half in their home with them and their family.
IS PROFICIENCY IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEEDED?
No! The program is cultural in nature and is also for a short period of time. Many countries throughout the world teach English as a second language, and most participating students are quite proficient in it. If you have taken a foreign language in high school and elect to visit a country that speaks that language, you will be able to gain some additional conversational ability. Most students do not find language to be a barrier to having a great exchange experience whether they know the language or not.
HOW DOES A STUDENT BENEFIT FROM BEING ABROAD?
Being away in a foreign country has a powerful broadening and an accelerating effect on your maturing process. Managing your own finances and making decisions gives you more confidence and independence to take care of yourself. You become more tolerant with people, different cultures and different personalities. Your youth exchange experience will be priceless, something that you can’t replicate any other way.
In addition, many of our short-term youth exchange students go on to become future Rotary long-term exchange students. Short-term exchange is a great way to find out if you are a candidate to spend a year abroad.
HOW MUCH DOES THE SHORT-TERM PROGRAM COST?
Four elements comprise the cost of the short-term exchange program:
An application fee of ($125.00) which includes the cost of processing and administration by ESSEX.
A District 7950 fee of ($125.00) which covers the cost of District administration.
Cost of Rotary and ESSEX approved life and medical insurance while abroad. A one month or a three month Short-Term B insurance policy through CISI-Bolduc is mandatory. A 3-4 week exchange (time spent in the foreign country) would require a one month Plan B policy at the cost of $76.00 and a 6 week exchange (time spent in the foreign country) would require a three month Plan B policy at the cost of $208.00. (as of 9/1/23)
Cost of round-trip airfare from your home to the foreign country where you will exchange. You have the choice of using the ESSEX-recommended travel agency, Tzell Park Avenue or making your own travel arrangements. In addition with the short-term exchange you are able to use frequent flier miles or any other discount means. In any case the final travel information must be provided to the ESSEX Short Term Chair, and CISI-Bolduc Insurance as soon as your travel is confirmed by the method you use.
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT ROTARY’S SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM?
The Rotary International Exchange Program is volunteer driven, It is organized and administered by volunteer Rotarian’s and their families around the world, within local Rotary Clubs, Districts and regionally. Rotary volunteers screen student applicants, select the exchange students, prepare them, and arrange hosting abroad, insurance, etc. All of this is done by Rotarian’s as an unpaid service.
Because we depend on volunteers, the Rotary program is the least expensive, safest, and highest quality program. Students are provide supervision by members of the local hosting Rotary Club, who are directly involved in the welfare of these students. Because of this close connection with local Rotarian advisors, students away from home are more comfortable knowing that Rotarian’s from their host club are available to help and offer guidance.