Short-Term Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I go about participating in the Rotary Short-Term Exchange Program?
2. Why is it called an exchange program?
3. Is proficiency in a foreign language needed?
4. How does a student benefit from being abroad?
5. How much does the short-term program cost?
6. What is so special about Rotary’s Short-Term Exchange Program?



1. How do I go about participating in the Rotary Short-Term Exchange Program?

Contact any local Rotarian since candidates must be sponsored by individual Rotary Clubs.
The local Rotarian will put you in touch with the club’s or the district’s Youth Exchange
Chairperson for details about the short-term exchange and application forms. Your high
school counselor may be familiar with the local Rotary Club and can help you make that contact.


2. Why is it called an exchange program?

You will be matched with 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 in your
home and half in his/her home.

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3. Is proficiency in a foreign language needed?

No! The program is cultural in nature but 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 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.


4. 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 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.


5. How much does the short-term program cost?

Three elements comprise the cost of the program.

• An application fee (see application for amount) which includes the cost of processing
and administration.
• Cost of Rotary and ESSEX-approved life and medical insurance while abroad. A three-month
Short Term Plan B insurance policy is mandatory.
• Cost of round-trip airfare from your home to the foreign country where you will stay.
Travel arrangements can be made through the ESSEX-recommended travel agency,
Bokoff-Kaplan. Travel arrangements made by Bokoff-Kaplan are automatically sent to
the ESSEX Short-Term Exchange Program Chairman. If travel arrangements are made
through any other agency or individual, the information must be provided to the ESSEX
Short-Term Chair by e-mail or fax at least 30 days prior to departure.

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6. 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 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,
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, quality could be sacrificed in order
to satisfy their 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.

> Download the Rotary ESSEX Short-Term Exchange Handbook
(Note: the free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read the handbook)
> Qualifications for Short-Term Exchange Students
> How to Apply for Short-Term Exchange