The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is an international exchange programme for young professionals. It offers a once in a life-time cultural and vocational opportunity for young people (between 25 – 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 institutions and ways
of life, observe their own vocations as 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
Teams are composed of 4-6 non-Rotarian team members, usually of various business and professional backgrounds, and one 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.
To find out more about the GSE programme click here
