The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) programme 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 Rotary Club of Dublin Central hosts members of visiting GSE teams each year by introducing them to professional contacts in their fields. This allows the visiting team members to learn from Irish experiences and provides local businesses, public services and professionals to gain an insight into the practices and experiences of colleagues from another part of the world.
Dublin Central also identifies and nominates outgoing members of Irish Group Study Exchange teams who spend four to five weeks visiting another country under the auspices of Rotary.