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.

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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.

For this year, Rotary International District 3870 welcomes the GSE team from RI District 5110 of Oregon, USA. It’s composed of team leader Dell Gray who’s a chief executive officer of Roseburg Clinic, Roseburg, Oregon, USA. The team members are: Deputy District Attorney Brigid Turner of Bend, Oregon, USA; Jennifer Jackson, a teacher/student advisor of Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, Oregon USA; Marc Zollinger, Spanish-English translator and Spanish instructor at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA; and Sarah Chapman, program manager of Sheltercare Riverbend at Eugene, Oregon, USA.

RI District 5110 is also presently hosting the GSE team from RI District 3870, with team leader Dr. Pol P. Murillo (Bukidnon), team members Gean T. Cesar (Cagayan de Oro), Dr. Tisha Malimas (Gingoog City), Dr. Eunese Isidro (Iligan City), and Christine Calingasan (Cotabato City).

Dell Gray said they’re lucky to have visited many places in Northern Mindanao covered by RI District 3870, some of which Filipinos still have to see. The Museum of Three Cultures at Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro is one such place. He was surprised to learn that most of the Rotarians who accompanied him there were also first-timers.

Gean Cesar shares with us her Oregon experience: “We are overwhelmed with what we’ve seen here. But somehow, it made me realize that it’s never too late to do something back home. Change is still the only permanent thing in the world. As long as we believe in our purpose, I have a strong belief that we can do something more for our community. We will be different persons when we get back to the Philippines. We are inspired and motivated to be more for others when we are finally back home. And I can't wait to experience the change I bring along with me from Oregon, USA.”

The GSE Team from Oregon will be among the guests at the 25th District Conference of Rotary International District 3870 starting today May 15, 2009 and up to May 17, 2009 at the Grand Caprice, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro.

For more details on Discon ’09, please visit the website of District Governor Rhia Rita Abalos, www.dgrhia3870.com. (PR)