(with acknowledgement to Pekka Makkonen of Finland)

THE PROGRAM

The Group Study Exchange Program of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is an educational activity which promotes international understanding through organized travel and person-to-person contact. The program provides travel grants for teams of professional men and women to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. Team members study the institutions and ways of life in each other's countries, develop personal acquaintances, observe their own professions as practiced abroad, and exchange ideas. During their time abroad, Group Study Exchange teams are expected to travel with a sense of mission, sharing personal knowledge of their own country with those they meet and observing the customs, vocations and lifestyles of the country they are visiting.

Reciprocity is the key to Group Study Exchange. Each of the two paired districts sends and receives a team at designated times now during a two-year period (between 1 July and 30 June). Each district first selects a team of outstanding people who represent a cross-section of the district's businesses and professions. The team then travels to a district in another country for a study program of four to six weeks.

While visiting the paired district, each team follows a carefully planned itinerary. Team members visit government and legal institutions, schools and colleges, and historical and scenic points of interest. They observe social practices and participate in religious, cultural and recreational activities. Each team member also spends five days studying his or her profession or related activities in the host district. Wherever possible, accommodations are in local homes, thus allowing team members to personally experience family lifestyles in their host countries.

TEAM COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

A Group Study Exchange team consists of 4 non- Rotarian business or professional people and a Rotarian team leader. Note: Spouses may not accompany teams.

Applicants for team membership:

• must have been employed full-time in a recognized business or profession for at least two years at the time of application;
• must be committed to remaining in the workforce for a considerable period of time after the exchange;
• must be citizens of the country in which they reside and must either reside or be employed in the sending Rotary district;
• must have some proficiency in the language of the country to be visited;
• must be exemplary in their business or professional attitudes, enthusiastic about their vocations, and capable of deriving maximum educational value from the program;
• must be personable, cooperative, articulate, and well-informed about their own vocations;
• must be willing and able to speak at Rotary clubs and other organizations both in the host area and upon return home.

The following are ineligible for Group Study Exchange team membership or for any award granted by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International:

• a Rotarian
• an employee of a Rotary Club, district, or other Rotary entity, or of Rotary International;
• any Rotarian's or Rotary employee's spouse; or ancestor (parent or grandparent by blood); or lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood and any legally adopted child),
• a spouse of a lineal descendant.

TERMS OF THE GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE AWARD

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. Team members selected by the Rotary district committee must agree to:

• accept the decisions of the Rotarian team leader at all times.
• remain with the group throughout the study tour except when individual activities are planned;
• maintain standards of behaviour which will reflect positively on Rotary and the home country;
• undergo a physical examination as specified by the terms of the award;
• keep a daily journal of events and observations during the study tour;
• prepare and submit final reports of the study tour as required by the sponsoring district and The Rotary Foundation;
• speak about study tour experiences to Rotary clubs and other organizations upon return home.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Interested applicants for Group Study Exchange team membership should first contact a local Rotary club for information about the local district's plans. By February of each year, Rotary clubs should be able to tell applicants whether the district will participate in a Group Study Exchange during the upcoming year (1 July - 30 June) and, if so, with what country/area it will exchange teams. By May or June, approximate dates for team travel should be determined. ( NOTE: Not all Rotary districts participate in the Group Study Exchange Program every year.) If the district is planning an exchange, local Rotarians can provide further information about application materials, procedures and deadlines. Initial application must be made through a local Rotary club. Final team selection takes place at the district level. Applications sent directly to The Rotary Foundation will not be considered.