Ah, Rotary… the organization that inspired all of this.
A Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is part of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and is a unique cultural and vocational experience for business and professional men and women in the initial years of their careers. In 2007, a GSE team from District 7090 traveled to Rotary District 9200 in Central East Africa. From April 20 to May 21, GSE team members visited Ethiopia and Uganda and participated in four primary activities:
Vocational Exchange – Witness their respective vocations in action by meeting and spending time with peers in comparable professions and careers;
Cultural Exchange – Experience daily living with host Rotarians and their families while exploring social, economic and cultural aspects of each country;
Fellowship Exchange – Share ideas and understandings along with personal and professional expertise;
Rotary Involvement –Participate in Rotary meetings and events in host countries by sharing information about their home communities and personal and professional lives.
Who is eligible? A Group Study Exchange Team consists of four non-Rotarian business or professional people and a Rotarian team leader.To qualify as an ideal GSE team member you are:between the ages of 25 and 40; employed full-time for a minimum of two years in a recognized profession;employed in or a resident of Rotary District 7090; a citizen of Canada or the USA; in good health; able to express yourself clearly and logically;enthusiastic about your chosen vocation and exemplary in your work; open-minded, tolerant, and flexible; comfortable as part of a team with a schedule that is physically and emotionally demanding; free from all personal and work responsibilities during the exchange period; be able to travel with your employer’s consent. Rotary members and spouses and lineal descendants of Rotarians are NOT eligible.
If you are interested in participating in a GSE experience, I would suggest you Google for your local Rotary club and see how to get started. Good luck!
