Berlin Rotary touches the GSE Team

Wayne Banaszak of the Berlin Rotary Club presented customized nametags during the GSE trip to Ripon Rotary recently.  The nametags are a product of Wayne’s business, Images Stitchery Designs of Berlin.  The 2011 Inbound Group Study Exchange will be coming from Italy. The team from Italy will be in the district from May 1-29. The team from Italy will be hosted by the following Rotary clubs: Milwaukee Downtown, Milwaukee North Shore, Hartland Lake Country, Fond du Lac Morning, Manitowoc Noon and Elmbrook.

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.

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.