About Rotary Youth Exchange and ESSEX

Developing future world leaders and peace builders 

Rotary Youth Exchange is an experiential program that provides students ages 15-18 1/2 the opportunity to study abroad while experiencing another culture, learning a new language and becoming a global citizen. It was started in the 1920s by Rotary International, an international service organization of more than a million business and professional leaders worldwide. By sponsoring inbound and outbound exchange students, Rotary clubs strive to build peace one young person at a time.

In addition to building lifelong skills in leadership, understanding of other perspectives and the ability to adapt to new environments, Rotary exchange students build lifelong friendships.

What is ESSEX?

The Eastern States Student Exchange (ESSEX) is a consortium of Rotary districts (a group of Rotary clubs in a geographic region) that organizes Rotary Youth Exchange programs. ESSEX supports long-term and short-term exchanges in 16 states in the eastern United States, Bermuda and Quebec, Canada. ESSEX serves as a resource for outbound and inbound students, host families and hundreds of volunteers at the district and club level.