Group Study Exchange - GSE

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of The Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 and in the early years of their professional lives. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in 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.

For each team member, The Rotary Foundation provides the most economical round-trip air ticket between the home and host countries. Local Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

In recent years R. I. District 6600 has sponsored GSE teams to R. I. Districts in France, India, and most recently Aishi Prefecture in Japan.

• The newly revised GSE News Kit is now available in on-line format only. Go to the Rotary International download library to locate a downloadable copy of the Group Study Exchange News Kit (251-EN). The kit offers ideas and tips on how your Rotary Club can attract qualified GSE team member candidates and promote the GSE program in your community.

District 6600 through The Rotary Foundation will be sponsoring a Group Study Exchange Team to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for four weeks in late May and early June 2010

Applications for both GSE Team members and GSE Team Leader are solicited. The GSE Team Leader should be a Rotarian from District 6600. The requirements for Team membership are:

• Must be between the ages of 25 and 40
• Must be a U.S. citizen either living or working within R. I. District 6600
• Must be employed full time in a recognized profession
Must be able to be away from employment for the 4-5 week exchange period.
• May NOT be a Rotarian, Honorary Rotarian, or lineal descendant or spouse of lineal descendant
• May not be a spouse of a team member
• May NOT be an ex-Rotarian or the lineal descendant or spouse of an ex Rotarian who resigned less than 36 months before the time of the application
• All Applicants must be sponsored by a Rotary Club in District 6600.

Application forms for GSE Team Membership may be obtained from Dr. Jeanne McKibben, GSE District Chair or from here.

Application forms for GSE Team Leader may be obtained from Dr. Jeanne McKibben, GSE District Chair or from here.

Additional GSE information may be downloaded by searching for Group Study Exchange documents at the Rotary International download site.

Applications for GSE Team Leader must be submitted to GSE Chair McKibben no later than October 31, 2009. Applications for team members should be submitted to Dr. McKibben up to the date of selection interviews, which are anticipated to be scheduled in January 2010.

If you would like to find out more about our next Group Study, please contact: