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Rotary's Group Study
Exchange (GSE)
This program of the Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational
opportunity that promotes international understanding through organized travel,
personal contact, and home stays. The program provides an opportunity for teams
of young professional men and women to exchange visits between paired areas in
different countries. Each team is led by a Rotarian team leader. Spouses may not
accompany the team.
The program is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among
young men and women in the initial years of professional life to better prepare
them to address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global
workplace. It also provides World Community Service opportunities to establish
humanitarian projects between the host and sending countries which may address
specific needs for health care, education, or other humanitarian concerns. The
four-to six-week Group Study Exchange experience involves:
Vocational Activities which provide participants with opportunities to
observe vocations as practiced in another country and participate in a
reciprocal exchange of ideas in their respective fields, which ultimately will
benefit all communities involved;
Cultural Experiences which allow participants to study another country,
its people, and institutions and to promote an appreciation of cultural
diversity worldwide;
Fellowship Opportunities which encourage team members and hosts to meet,
communicate and live with each other in a spirit of fellowship and good-will, to
consider each other's problems, aspirations and community concerns, and to
foster lasting friendships and international understanding; and Rotarian
Involvement in providing young professionals in their formative years an
experienced perspective of their vocation in another country and culture and in
participating in the process of sending, receiving, and sharing educational
experiences of study teams that will enhance the worldwide Mission of Rotary.
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About the program
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.
In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate 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.
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 |
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