The Rotary Foundation's Group Study Exchange

Celso Goncalves Alves Governor 2008-2009 District 4410 extended thanks to district 7230 for the welcome we are giving to these young Brazilians who through Rotary International are taking the chance to develop their leadership skills to work in teams.  The GSE Team was prepared with great enthusiasm for this wonderful and unforgettable experience of life they are living at this time. He followed closely the motivation and interest of young professionals who dream of a better and fairer world.  They believe that the exchange of experience and increased knowledge in their professional activities will be determinant to their personal growth and future.  There were many meetings and researches for this trip that will certainly leave unforgettable memories.

Singrid Saliba District Chairperson for District 4410 is pleased to present this team who are honoured to be participating and touched to have been selected in this highly respected Rotary Foundation supported program.  Participation allows individuals to do more, to be more, and to bring more hope to the world.

This international program uniquely provides the opportunity to give back to our society and to better yourself today, for the challenges of a new tomorrow.  District 4410 is excited and ready to welcome District 7230's GSE team into our community.  We are committed to helping them to learn more about the wonderful part of the world where we live, work and play. Together we will make our world a better place.

The GSE Team told us about their home land of Brazil supplemented by a beautiful video. Brazil is the biggest country on South America, formed by five regions.  The Southeast region has four states and District 4410 is composed of all cities within the state of Espirito Santo.  Brazil is a sensational country, a place that grows with the contagious energy of its cheerful population.  Brazil is the largest Latin American country. Its number five in territory after Canada, Russia, China and USA and the biggest rainforest and biodiversity are found here.

Now we are living in times of strong development combining a sustainability development and less social differences.  We are also a world reference in main issues such as renewable energy, diminishing poverty and food production.  The political and economical stability attract business and investment opportunities.  People with rich culture, make Brazil a spectacular nation.  A surprising country on each rhythm and each flavour. 

Brazil is a result of the mixture of colours, flavours, sounds and cultures from many corners of the world, and from people who arrived, liked it and stayed there.  This has produced the cheerful Brazilian way of being.  Its people are proud of their country and with a wide and welcoming smile are pleased to show their music, football, festivals, architectural sites registered as world cultural heritage, and their tasty cuisine which differs from region to region.  From extreme sports to ecological tourism, it is a very modern and well structured for international business and events.  In Brazil, nature and comfort come together; History and modernity are in the same picture.  Brazil is a country of Sensations.

GSE: T he 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