International Travel Opportunity for Young Professionals

WHAT: Rotary District 5240 Group Study Exchange

WHERE: South Korea

WHEN: March 22 through April 22, 2012 (applications due August 19, 2011)

WHY: Cultural and professional exchange

Rotary District 5240 is seeking non-Rotarian professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40, who work with the developmentally disabled, to participate in a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity with South Korea.

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of The Rotary Foundation provides travel grants covering the cost of airfare, lodging, and meals for team members. While visiting South Korea, the GSE team will stay with host families, participate in cultural activities, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

The GSE team includes a Rotarian team leader and four non-Rotarian professionals who must live or work in District 5240, which includes San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern Counties.

The process to become a team member includes a written application, essay, and personal interview. Applications and essays are due on August 19, and interviews will be on September 24. The visit to South Korea is from March 22 through April 22, 2012.

Interested parties should go to www.rotarydistrict5240.org, click Foundation, and then click Group Study Exchange. There is more information about the program as well as the application.

Additional information can be found in the Rotary International brochure, www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/160en.pdf. Team blogs from the 2011 visit to Australia and 2009 visit to Thailand are carotarygsetoau.wordpress.com and www.gsetriptothailand.blogspot.com.

Applications and questions about the GSE program can be directed to Group Study Exchange District Chair, Heather Frankle, at hfrankle@earthlink.net.