Friday 8 February 2013

What is GSE Netherlands 2013?

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.

This specific exchange involves participants living in Western Michigan and Northern Ontario in Rotary District 6290 (which stretches 500 miles / 800Km from Holland, Michigan to Wawa, Ontario) and Rotary District 1580 in the Netherlands around Amsterdam.  The group leaves North America April 6 and returns May 5th. 



February Preparation meeting

Well, there are 2 months to go till we arrive in the Netherlands.  The group met at Wendy's workplace, Oryana Natural Foods Market, in Traverse City to go over some of the details.  Traverse City resident and former GSE 2011 participant Dave spoke to the group about his experience.
As you can see from the photo, it was a snowy time in Northern Michigan.
Pictured left to right are Jamey, Ross, Tom, & Wendy on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay.