Each year, Rotary Youth Exchange provides about 8,000 young people (ages 15 - 18) the opportunity to experience the cultures, problems and accomplishments of people in other countries. Through this Rotary program, students are given the opportunity to grow as individuals while their concept of the world is growing too. Participants return with a broader view of the world and a deeper understanding of themselves. When these young people become adults, many assume leadership roles in their communities and bring to these positions the benefits of and insights from their exchange experiences. As a result, Rotary's Youth Exchange program becomes a powerful force in the promotion of world understanding and peace. 

Through Youth Exchange, Rotarians seek to provide the best possible environment for students. The program enjoys the advantages of over 46 years of experience and a network of more that 1.2 million Rotarians around the world. This experience and support system ensures the best possible exchange for participants in the program. 

The Eastern States Student Exchange Program (ESSEX) organizes both long-term and short-term Rotary student exchanges for 35 Rotary International Districts. ESSEX works with districts in 16 states in the eastern United States, Bermuda and Quebec, Canada, and exchanges with over 30 countries worldwide. 

Rotary's student exchange offers two programs to choose from, a long-term program which is a 10 or 11 month program and a short- term program which is a 3 to 6 week program.

To learn more, see http://www.exchangestudent.org/