Ripley Rotary Club

The Rotary clubs participte in many programs. Group Study Exchange is described below.

The Group Study Exchange Program of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 in the initial years of their professional life. The program provides travel grants for teams of young participants to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. For four to six weeks, team members study the host country’s institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

"The visit to India . . . was an eye-opening experience that demonstrated some of the meaningful work that can result from individual initiative and collective effort."

Individuals who participate in this valuable, once-in-a-lifetime experience will return home, not only with new perspectives and an enlarged vision, but with fresh ideas and an understanding of a nation’s culture, commerce and government that can be invaluable to a country’s, and a company’s, future. A Group Study Exchange offers the most unique and rewarding skills-building opportunity and personal growth experience available to young professionals as humanity steps forward to face the challenges of the 21st century.

A GSE team consists of four non-Rotarian business or professional people and a Rotarian team leader. Applicants must:

• be between the ages of 25 and 40;
• be committed to remaining in the work force well after the exchange;
• be in the early stages of their careers or professions;
• reside in or be employed in the sending Rotary district and also be citizens of the country in which they reside;
• be proficient in the language of the country being visited;
• be personable, articulate, cooperative, exemplary in their work, and enthusiastic about their vocations; and
• seek to gain a maximum educational value from the program, as well as be able to fulfill the rigorous demands of international travel and active participation in an extensive itinerary.

Note: Spouses may not accompany teams. In addition, the following are ineligible: a Rotarian; an employee of a Rotary club, district, other Rotary entity, or Rotary International; any Rotarian’s or Rotary employee’s spouse, ancestor (parent or grandparent by blood), lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood and any legally adopted child); or a spouse of a lineal descendant.

"Probably the most nervous part of our trip was just before going into a host family's home . . . Could they speak English? Could I speak enough Japanese? Would they like me? Would I like them? How would I be treated? But as it turned out, all of my host families treated me like royalty."

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.

"This trip has opened my eyes to the full scope of world and has taught me think more globally.” “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Before leaving:

Participate in any orientation sessions or group meetings and obtain the necessary documents for traveling.

During the tour:

• accept the decisions of the Rotarian team leader;
• fulfill any requirements to speak at host district gatherings;
• remain with the group throughout the study tour except when individual activities are planned; and
• maintain standards of behavior which will reflect positively on Rotary and the home country.

After returning:

• prepare and submit final reports of the tour as required by the sponsoring district and The Rotary Foundation; and
• speak about your study tour experiences to Rotary clubs and other groups.

Contact your local Rotary club. It can provide additional information about application materials, procedures and deadlines. Applications must be made through local Rotary clubs; those sent directly to The Rotary Foundation will not be considered.