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.
The Team’s visit is reciprocal as last year a team including hospitality professionals from Dutch and French St. Maarten and Anguilla visited Devon England for five weeks.
Among the many activities on St. Maarten, the GSE Team from Devon England, lead by Rotarian Oliver Taylor, visited among others SHTA, the Tourist Office, Chamber of Commerce, Harbour Cruise Terminal, Fire and Ambulance Departments, Princess Juliana Int’l Airport and the Rotary Club’s on the Dutch side. The Group Study Exchange team accompanied by Rotary President Rebecca Low and Board members Maria Buncamper also visited Governor Eugene Holiday. Before assuming the position of Governor of St. Maarten, Mr. Holiday was member of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten and is now an honorary member.
The Team will be hosted by the French Rotary Club, Rotary Clubs of Anguilla and St. Barths and their five week stay in the Caribbean will include Tortola and St. Croix where they will be hosted by the Rotary clubs on those islands. In all these locations the Devon Team members will meet persons who work in tourism and will have an opportunity to learn how tourism is done in the Caribbean.
This program is not only made possible by the Rotary International, the Local Rotary Clubs and their members, but also sponsors who provide meals, accommodations and entertainment. The GSE’s activities can be followed on facebook, twitter and www.rumreggaeandrotary.wordpress.com