As members of the 2006 Group Study Exchange Team traveling from Florida to New South Whales, Australia, we will spend four weeks studying the institutions, economy, and culture of Australia, while observing how our own professions are practiced abroad.

Since its inception in 1965, the Group Study Exchange program has provided grants for countless teams of men and women in the early stages of their business and professional careers to travel abroad and share vocational information with the representatives of their respective professions in another country. More than 500 exchanges between paired Rotary districts occur each year, advancing the program's ultimate goal of promoting international understanding and goodwill.

Rotary districts select teams comprising four non-Rotarians and one Rotarian leader, engaged in different businesses and professions. Each of two paired districts sends and receives a team for a four to six-week study program. Pairings are usually determined by The Rotary Foundation's trustees to ensure wide geographical distribution, but exchanges can also be arranged by the participating districts.

While visiting abroad, GSE team members follow a carefully planned itinerary, including visits to government and cultural institutions, schools, religious and historic sites and other points of interest. In addition, each member spends at least five days studying and observing the practice of his or her profession in the host district. Rotarians provide lodging in their homes, meals, and group travel, allowing the opportunity for participants to become acquainted with the customs and culture of the people in their host district.

The above information may also be found on Rotary International's Web site, specifically their Group Study Exchange program page.