What is
the GSE?
The
Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and
vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between
the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program
provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of
different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host
country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced
abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
Why?
· To gain a broadened cultural
perspective and new understanding of a nation’s history, language,commerce, and
government.
· The opportunity to develop
leadership skills, work on team building, and increase self-confidence.
· The program is designed to have
an invaluable impact on the career of a young professional encourage lasting
friendships and working relationships
Who?
The team
is composed of 4 non-Rotarian team members with a varied professional
background and a Rotarian team leader.
During
the exchange, teams will visit local businesses, government offices, and
community organisations in the host district, stay with Rotarian host families,
and make presentations about their home countries and professions.
For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district
What will the team be doing?In a typical four-week tour, a team participates in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
Each team member has been through a recruitment/interview process to be chosen to represent their District, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation during the GSE. In selecting the GSE team, the sponsor district has recognised each team member’s ability to gain from an international experience and to be an effective international ambassador for Rotary.
For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district
What will the team be doing?In a typical four-week tour, a team participates in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
Each team member has been through a recruitment/interview process to be chosen to represent their District, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation during the GSE. In selecting the GSE team, the sponsor district has recognised each team member’s ability to gain from an international experience and to be an effective international ambassador for Rotary.
For more information about the
GSE visit the Rotary International website.
