Young Professionals Advance Abroad
Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange Enhances Careers
Rotary International's Group Study Exchange enhances the careers of young professionals through international vocational exchanges.
Young professionals seeking to advance their careers should consider spending time in another country through Rotary International's Group Study Exchange. Rotary International is a service organization with the mission of building global goodwill. One way to achieve this is through Group Study Exchange, an international vocational exchange program for young professionals.
What Is Rotary International's Group Study Exchange?
Group Study Exchange expands a young professional's career vision, personal goals and global understanding by meeting and working with peers in another country. As a result, young professionals will return energized with new ideas and concepts for their workplace and community.
Young professionals, called Team Members, stay in homes of Rotary International members. The exchange is four to six weeks and the Team Members stay with different host families throughout the program.
Team Members participate in daily itineraries learning about the host community's government, culture and economy. This is typically done through meetings with local politicians and business leaders and visits to tourist attractions.
Once a week young professionals work with their international peers gaining insight how their vocation works in that country. This allows an exchange of ideas between young professionals and host employers.
Young professionals also attend several Rotary International Club meetings each week, giving brief presentations about their life back home. The presentation is usually followed by a song native to the host country.
When not with the group, young professionals are with their host families learning about the country's culture. The young professionals become members of the host families and are immersed in the country’s culture.
Who Can Participate in Rotary International's Group Study Exchange?
Group Study Exchange Teams are made up of three to five young professionals. The Team is led by a Team Leader who is a member of Rotary International.
Rotary International has criteria to become a Group Study Exchange Team Member. Young professionals must:
- Be between the ages of 25 and 40.
- Be working fulltime.
- Have never participated in Group Study Exchange.
- Not be a current member or past member of Rotary International.
- Not be related to another Team Member.
- Not be related to anyone in Rotary International.
How to Participate in Rotary International's Group Study Exchange?
Young professionals interested in participating in Rotary International's Group Study Exchange need to contact their local Rotary District. A Rotary District covers a regional area and governs over several Rotary Clubs, which are local. A written application is required followed by in-person interviews.
Once selected, the Team is expected to meet regularly to prepare for the trip. This can include learning about the host country's culture, learning key phrases in the host country's language and preparing a presentation for various Rotary Clubs in the host community.
Rotary International finances the young professional's airfare, lodging, meals and uniform during the vocational exchange. Expenses for a passport, visa (if required), host gifts, souvenirs, etc. are the responsibility of the Team Member.
Where Does Rotary International's Group Study Exchange Travel?
Rotary International is a global organization and a Group Study Exchange Team can land anywhere in the world. A Team may end up in rural Japan, the Australian outback or the developed areas of India. Rotary District Governors determine where their Group Study Exchange Team will travel during the annual Rotary International Convention. One governor will select a district for their Team to potentially visit and will approach that district’s governor to mutually agree upon an exchange.
Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange is an opportunity for young professionals to push their personal boundaries and expand their personal and professional goals.
Find a local Rotary District to participate in the Group Study Exchange.
