About Group Study Exchange

What is GSE (Group Study Exchange)?

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business and professional men and women.  Rotary districts in different countries are paired to send and receive professional study groups of four to six non-Rotarian team members and one Rotarian team leader to travel for four to six weeks, staying in the homes of Rotarians when possible.

The Team

Doyle Tinkey, Team Leader, Engineer

Spenser Villwock, MNM, LEED AP, Deputy Director, Center for ReSource Conservation

Michelle Wheatley, Architect & Owner, Studio Arc-hive

Alicen Kandt,  Engineer

Lauren Coyne, Co-Owner Education & Outreach Manager, Namaste Solar

Goals and Objectives

The GSE program is designed to develop international professional and leadership skills, so that the exchange professionals can address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.

Vocational  visits:

1. Provide opportunities to observe vocations as practiced in another country.
2. Impact team members’ long term careers through participation in an organized program of study, discussion, and reciprocal exchange of ideas in their respective fields.

Cultural experiences

1. Allow participants to study another country and its people, language, and institutions through experiences in an organized and meaningful host program.
2. Promote an appreciation of cultural diversity worldwide.

Fellowship opportunities

1. Encourage team members and hosts to meet, communicate, and live with each other in spirit of fellowship and goodwill.
2. Consider each others problems, aspirations, and community concerns.
3. Foster lasting friendships and international understanding.

Rotarian involvement

1. Offers Rotarians specific, practical, and meaningful opportunities for international service by providing young, formative professionals a different perspective of their vocation in another country and culture.