This year's Goup Study Exchange (GSE) will spend four weeks in northern Germany in late May, 2012. They will be hosted by Rotarians and will visit professional and cultural sites in the Hamburg area. In exchange, the Rotary District in Hamburg will send a team to visit us for one month beginning in late April. All 7780 clubs are encouraged to sponsor young professionals to make up the GSE team.
The team will be led by Lawrence Furbish, RC of Sanford-Springvale.
What is Group Study Exchange?
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. 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.
Why should I participate?
Individuals who participate in this rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experience will return home with a broadened cultural perspective and new understanding of a nation's history, language, commerce, and government. A GSE offers a unique 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 in the increasingly global workplace by creating networking opportunities and lifelong friendships.
What are the benefits to my employer and to my community?
GSE enhances the international perspective of the next generation of young leaders that will take your company into the future. GSE participants return with new communication and facilitation skills that promote tolerance and collaboration with professional people of other cultures. GSE fosters a creative approach to problem solving by expanding the employee's skill set, exposure to alternate methodologies, and preparation for addressing community needs. In addition, GSE provides a great public relations opportunity to promote awareness of your business or organization, as local and international media may feature interviews, photos, and articles about the exchange.
How do I apply?
If you are interested or know of someone who could be a potential candidate, please contact Grace Connolly, District GSE chair at grace.connelly@verison.net for more information.
Applications must be submitted by a Rotary Club. Candidates are selected by a qualified committee of Rotarian leaders. Additional information about Rotary Club locations, GSE application materials, and program guidelines can be found at www.rotary7780.org
Please download the legal size pdf brochure below for more information. The GSE Team Member Application form 161-EN can also be downloaded below.
