Long-Term Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


1. What Is ESSEX?
2. Who is eligible for ESSEX's student exchange programs?
3. How do I go about participating in Rotary exchange programs?
4. Why is it called an exchange program? Does that mean that my parents must host a foreign student?
5. Do I have to speak a foreign language to be accepted?
6. How many host families will I have?
7. What countries can I go to with Rotary ESSEX’s student exchange program?
8. Can I travel?
9. Are educational credits transferable?
10. Is the ESSEX exchange program officially approved?
11. Why are Rotary’s student exchange programs better than other programs?
12. How does a student benefit from being abroad?
13. How much does it cost?

1. What Is ESSEX?

Every district in the Rotary International world is encouraged to arrange and
participate in Youth Exchanges. In 1966, to facilitate the smoother functioning
of the program, a number of districts in New England and the middle Atlantic
states combined into a consortium called ESSEX (Eastern States Student EXchange).

Today, ESSEX has grown to include 31 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,
a small section of northeast Tennessee and all of Bermuda. In New York, Long Island
and the lower section of Hudson Valley are ESSEX members. Click here for the map.

If you live in the above area and want more information about ESSEX's student
exchange programs, please call 1-888-ROTARY X and leave your name, address
and telephone number. A local Rotary representative will contact you.

If you live outside of the ESSEX geographic area, we suggest you seek out a local
Rotarian or Rotary club and ask for information and contacts. Your school counselor
may be of help. Frequently, your Principal or Superintendent of Schools is a Rotarian.


2. Who is eligible for ESSEX's student exchange programs?

High school students of good character, warm personality and 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 and cannot be older than
18 1⁄2 on September 1 of the year of departure. Children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians
are eligible and encouraged to apply.


3. How do I go about participating in Rotary exchange programs?

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.

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4. Why is it called an exchange program? Does that mean that my parents must host a foreign student?

In theory, YES! An exchange is made between Rotary organizations here and abroad
with our students going abroad and their students coming here. A Rotary Club that
sponsors students from its community to go abroad also hosts foreign students in
exchange. Ideally, parents of outbound students will host a foreign exchange student
for a part of the year and help the Rotary Club obtain host families that will be approved by the club.


5. 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 an academic year and requires that students attend the local high
school which usually teaches in the foreign language. The need for a working knowledge
or proficiency in the language varies depending on the country. For example, in India
and the Philippines, schools teach in English.

Some countries provide language courses to newly accepted exchange students for a
modest fee. It is important that you get a basic knowledge of your host country prior to
departure. Rotary has a special arrangement with Berlitz language schools so you can
take classes at reduced tuition. For more detail on language requirements for specific
countries, click here.


6. How many host families will I have?

Rotary Exchange students are generally hosted by more than one family during their stay,
but always in the same school district. This allows for a better understanding of a cultural,
socio/economic cross section, while allowing more families to participate in the program. This
should permit a variety of activities during the year.

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7. What countries can I go to with Rotary ESSEX’s student exchange program?

Students can go to most countries in the world where the region has established
exchange agreements. A matching process is used. When available, preferences
are considered. Studentsare not sent to countries that have significant political
problems. The ESSEX region has established exchanges on all continents. For
further information, see the list of countries here or call 1-888-ROTARY-X.


8. Can I travel?

While this is not a tourist program, travel is sometimes available with the host families
and members of Rotary Clubs. Also group tours may be arranged by Rotary which are
usually at the student’s expense.


9. 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 school principal prior to your departure. Universities may give up to 6
credits for a foreign language, but you must apply for it with that school’s administration.


10. Is the ESSEX exchange program officially approved?

Yes! It 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. It is also
approved by the U.S. Department of State.

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11. Why are Rotary’s student exchange programs better than other programs?

The Rotary International Exchange Program is volunteer-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 applicants, select the exchange students, prepare them, and arrange hosting
abroad, travel, insurance, school admission, visas, etc. All of this is done by Rotarians as a
service. They are not paid to provide this service.

In programs where people are paid to find host families, they might sacrifice quality
in order to satisfy quotas. Rotary does not believe this to be in the best interest of
the students. Ultimately, such operational costs end up being passed on to the parents.

Because we depend on volunteers, the Rotary Program is the least expensive, but
safest and highest quality program. Students are provided local 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 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.


12. 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 give you
more confidence and independence to take care of yourself. 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.


13. How much does it cost?

It is estimated that if the student had to pay for all the expenses of a cultural and
academic year in another country it would cost from $8,000 to $10,000 or more. So,
essentially the long-term exchange should be viewed as a scholarship covering the
costs of living and studying abroad for an academic year. Generally, the students pay
for round-trip airfare, health insurance and miscellaneous expenses. They usually receive
a monthly allowance of around $60-75 from the hosting Rotary club in local currency.
Additionally, financial assistance may be available in some cases for financially disadvantaged
students. See more information in the Just for Parents section.

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> Responsibilities of Outbound Long-Term Exchange Students
> Qualifications for Long-Term Exchange Students
> How To Apply for Long-Term Exchange