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The Group Study Exchange (GSE) Programme of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is an educational Exchange which promotes international understanding through person-to-person contact. The programme provides for teams of professional men and women to exchange vocational visits between paired Rotary Districts in different countries.
Team members study their vocations, cultures and ways of life in each other's countries, develop personal acquaintances and exchange ideas. During the Exchange, GSE teams are expected to travel with a sense of mission, sharing personal knowledge of their own country with those they meet and observing the customs, vocations and lifestyles of the country they are visiting
Reciprocity is the key to GSE. Each of the paired Districts sends and receives a team at designated times, usually during the same one-year period (between 1 July and 30 June) and coinciding where possible with each District's Annual Conference. Each District first selects a team of outstanding people who represent a cross-section of the district's businesses and professions. The team then travels to a district in another country for a study programme of about four weeks. Districts may on occasions select single-vocation teams.
While visiting the paired District, each team follows a carefully planned itinerary. Team members may also visit government and legal institutions, schools and colleges, and historical and scenic points of interest. They observe social practices and are welcome to participate in religious, cultural and recreational activities. Each team member is also required to spend at least five days studying his or her profession or related activities in the host district. Wherever possible, accommodation is in local homes thus allowing team members to personally experience family lifestyles in their host countries.
TEAM COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
A GSE team consists of four non-Rotarian business or professional people and a Rotarian team leader. Spouses or partners may not accompany teams, however at the end of the Exchange team members are free to take extra time in making their way home, and it is here that spouses or partners may join them on the trip home.
Applicants for team membership:
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Must have been employed full-time in a recognised business or profession for at least two years at the time of application. Full time employment is recognised as a minimum of 30 hours per week. In the event that an applicant holds more than one permanent part-time job, he or she will qualify provided the total weekly hours worked exceeds 30, and the jobs are in related fields, i.e., education or nursing for example |
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Must be committed to remaining in the workforce for a considerable period of time after the exchange; |
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Must be citizens of the country in which they reside and must either reside or be employed in the sponsoring Rotary district; |
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Must be over the age of 25 and under the age of 40 at the time of signing their application; |
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Must be exemplary in their business or professional attitudes, enthusiastic about their vocations, and capable of deriving maximum educational value from the program; |
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Must be personable, cooperative, articulate, and well-informed about their own vocations; |
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Must be willing and able to speak at Rotary clubs and other organisations both in the host area and upon return home. |
It is expected that applicants have some proficiency in the language of the country to be visited, or if not to undertake some basic study before departure.
The following are ineligible for GSE team membership or for any award granted by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International:
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a Rotarian |
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an employee of a Rotary Club, district, or other Rotary entity, or of Rotary International |
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any Rotarian's or Rotary employee's spouse or partner; or ancestor (parent or grandparent by blood); or lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood and any legally adopted child or child brought in by a second or subsequent marriage or partnership), and a spouse or partner of a lineal descendant. |
TERMS OF THE GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE AWARD
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 in their district. Each team member is responsible for all personal and incidental expenses incurred before, during, and after the study tour.
Team members selected by the Rotary district committee must agree to:
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Accept the decisions of the Rotarian team leader at all times |
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Remain with the group throughout the study tour except when individual activities are planned |
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Mmaintain standards of behaviour which will reflect positively on Rotary and the home country |
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Obtain insurance coverage as specified by the terms of the award |
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Undergo a physical examination as specified by the terms of the award |
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Keep a daily journal of events and observations during the study tour |
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Prepare and submit final reports of the study tour as required by the sponsoring district and The Rotary Foundation |
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Speak about study tour experiences to Rotary clubs and other organisations upon return home. |
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Interested applicants for GSE team membership should first contact a local Rotary club for information about the local district's plans. By February of each year, Rotary clubs should be able to tell applicants whether the district will participate in a GSE during the next Rotary year (1 July - 30 June) and, if so, with what country/area it will exchange. By May or June, approximate dates for team travel should be available. ( NOTE: Not all Rotary districts participate in the Group Study Exchange Program every year.)
If the district is planning an exchange, local Rotarians can provide further information about application materials, procedures and deadlines. Applications sent directly to The Rotary Foundation or District Administration will not be considered but must be made directly through a local Rotary Club.
(H) (03) 9326 1036
(M) 0412 338 844
Rotary Club of Strathmore
Email: gse@rotary9790.org.au
