Group Study Exchange

Every year more than 500 exchanges take place between young people from Rotary Districts all over the world.

The Group Study Exchange Program is an educational activity for teams of professional men and women to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries.

Team members study the host country's institutions, economy, and culture, while observing how their own professions are practiced abroad.

In 2000, as a member of District 1280, The Rotary Club of Astley participated in an exchange visit with a group from Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Rotary District 9830 arranged for four non-Rotarian professionals from its area to visit the North West of England.

Each of the four Tasmanian visitors represented a cross-section of their district's businesses and professions:

• Kate Blake - Project Officer;
• Tammy Grimsey - Employment Consultant;
• Mathew Rush - Medical Scientist.
• Candice Whinnett - Television Account Executive.

The group spent four weeks in England, staying with the families of Rotarians, allowing them to become acquainted with the customs and culture of the North West of England.

The family of Astley Rotarian Philip Pattison were delighted to play host to two of the visitors:

"Not only did the girls benefit from their stay in England, but we as a family benefited as well," says Philip Pattison.

"We made a friendship with two people from the other side of the world, who we would never have otherwise met."

During a Group Study Exchange, each of the visiting 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.

While in the North West the Tasmanian visitors took part in a number of visits and activities.

Vocational activities included visits to an advertising agency, a public relations consultancy and the marketing department of Marks and Spencers.

As well as vocational trips, the group also had the opportunity to visit Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry and the Royal Exchange Theatre, and to tour Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium and museum.

Tammy Grimsey, one of the Tasmanian visitors, found her visit to England an invaluable learning experience:

"I was able to learn a lot about your programs and the way local councils and organisations deal with unemployment issues and business development. It also got me thinking about my own career and future possibilities for me.

"The exchange helps open your mind, see that things are done differently and work well but that there are always opportunities for new ways, new ideas etc. "

More than 500 such exchanges between paired Rotary districts take place every year, advancing the program's ultimate goal of promoting international understanding and goodwill.