International Service

Group Study Exchange

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.

News - 23 September 2009

2010 Group Study Exchange-Team Member Application Information

Following is important information regarding the 2010 Group Study Exchange to Australia. The District is now accepting applications for Team Members. So please promote this within your communities.

The information has also been placed on the District website in the Documents/Forms section under Information.

District 7820
Group Study Exchange
2010 Team Member Selection

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) for 2010 has been confirmed. Our exchange partner is District 9690 in Australia which is in the suburbs of Sydney (http://www.rotary9690.org.au/) . The Clubs that will be visited from this district will be determined at a later date. The GSE Team representing District 7820 will be traveling to Australia from February 25 - April 1, 2010. The Selection Committee will include the Team Leader.

Group Study Exchange Applicants;

- Must be currently employed in a recognized business or profession on a full time basis
- Must be between 25 and 40 years of age and are Canadian citizens
- Must be in good health, be open minded, patient, altruistic, dependable, positive and flexible
- Must be interested and clearly enthusiastic about their chosen vocation
- Must be willing to commit to the 7 month process, honoring all requests and deadlines
- Must understand and recognize the significance of their selection for the GSE
- Must be available to attend a 1½ day orientation.

Group Study Exchange Applicants;

- May not be a Rotarian or Honorary Rotarian
- May not be a member of a provisional Rotary Club, or an employee of a Rotary club
- May not be a spouse, parent or lineal descendant of a Rotarian
- May not be a spouse or partner of another team member

Great team members enable the Group Study Exchange to be fulfilling and rewarding for all participants. Team members may not be accompanied by a spouse, companion, fiancée or any other relative during the tour. Arrangements for pre or post GSE travel can be made.

Applications for GSE 2009 Team Members will be accepted until October 9, 2009.

Selection of the Team Members will be made in October.

Submit completed applications, available from the RI website, with appropriate and necessary signatures, by email to:

John Harnett
GSE Chair, Outbounder Team
E Mail: jharnett@nf.sympatico.ca
The Group Study Exchange is a unique opportunity for social, cultural and vocational experience. The program is designed to assist young people to develop vocational and leadership skills within their chosen career path. News - 27 May 2009

District 7820 sent a GSE team to District 2610, Ishikawa and Toyama Japan for 4 weeks in April. The Team Leader was Miriam MacLeod, of the St. John's East Rotary Club. Team members were Keri Shields, (sponsor Club - Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty) Holly White and Chris Hibbs (sponsor Club - Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest) and Michael Luke (sponsor Club - St. John's East Rotary Club). The hosts clubs were fantastic, and everyone was had a safe trip, packed with cultural activities, vocational visits, and sightseeing. The team travelled in prime Cherry Blossom Viewing season, and were treated to warm and sunny weather most of the trip. A special thank you goes out to Judy McCann-Beranger of St. John's Northwest, GSE Outbound Chair, and Masanori Sugimoto, GSE Inbound Chair in District 2610.

Here are some photos to show some of the fun and learning that was offered to us.

wearing our kimono for the day in Rotarian Michiko Kitagawa's garden



Rotary meeting in Kanazawa



Drinking Sake in Noto Town



Kanazawa Castle Gate cherry blossoms

Nigeria GSE report