GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE 2009 - May 10 to June 11th
Outbound Team arrived in Hungary
Out-Bound GSE Team - Arrives in Hungary

|
|

Richard Caron, Team Leader. Rich is a Professor at University of Windsor. He is the President Elect of the Windsor (1918) Rotary Club.
Rick and his wife Wendy live in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. They have a daughter Julie and son Matthew, both students at the University of Windsor. Rick is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) and will be club president in 2010-2011.
Rick has a PhD in Mathematics (Optimization) from the University of Waterloo (1983) and is currently a professor at the University of Windsor, where he served terms as department head and as Dean of Science. More about his professional life can be read at www.uwindsor.ca/rcaron.
Rick enjoys sporting events, music of all genres, and outdoor activities.
Rick’s GSE Wish List:
- A visit to any university mathematics department to either attend or present a seminar to the appropriate department interested in optimization.
- A chance to talk to any university involved in the delivery and / or development of on-line courses in undergraduate mathematics.
- A visit with officials in either the Science and Technology Policy Council, the Science Advisory Board, or the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund to learn about the funding of mathematical and scientific research in Hungary.
- Any and all chances to experience life in Hungary, to learn of its rich culture and history, and to see its unique geography.
|

Vinicius Brienol De Souze, Team Member. Vinicius is an Officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He is sponsored by the Windsor Roseland Rotary Club.
Vinicius is a Police Officer with the Rotary Canadian Mounted Police. In this role, he works on prevention on crime and offences against laws of Canada and (where applicable) the laws in the Ontario Province. In addition, Vinicius is responsible for conduction and assisting in investigations at both local and federal levels. Vinicius has a Bachelor's Degree in Policital Science from Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec.
Outside of work, Vinicius enjoys watching news and action movies. Vinicius appreciated any free time to spend with his friends. Vinicius takes pride in volunteering in the community.
Vinicus's GSE Wish List
The chance to observe and receive hands-on experience from Hungarian police officers and their police services.
- The opportunity to learn about the history of Hungary and the transition from a communist to a capitalist society.
- The privilege to visit different Hungarian government institutions, including the areas of foreign affairs, justice, parliament, etc.
- The opportunity to meet not only Hungarian government officials but also members from other European Union nations and NATO allies
|

Jenni Cammaert, Team Member. Jenni is a Clinical Therapist with Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association in Windsor. She is sponsored by the Windsor 1918 Rotary Club.
Megan Callewaert recently bought her first home in Oak Park, Michigan and much of her free time the last two years has been spent renovating its interiors.
Megan has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Oakland University including a minor in Studio Art. She has worked in the museum field for the past seven years and is currently the Collections Manager at Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. In December 2008 she will be receiving a Graduate Certificate from George Washington University for her postgraduate studies in the management and care of museum collections.
Megan enjoys learning about various cultures through museums, non-fiction, photography and art. She also enjoys good food, interior design and architecture.
Megan’s GSE Wish List:
- An opportunity to visit and meet with staff of the Kodaly Memorial Museum or any other historic house museum that is furnished to look like a residence.
- A visit to the Ethnographic Museum to view and discuss how they present and care for their collections.
- A chance to talk with any museum personnel that deal with the care, display and interpretation of collections objects.
- An opportunity to explore traditional folk life and folk arts of the Hungarian culture
- Enjoy the sights, sounds, food and people of Hungary
|

Megan Callewaert, Team Member. Megan is the Collections Coordinator for the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. She is sponsored by the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club.
Jenni resides in Windsor, Ontario. She grew up in a small farming community, in a closely knit family environment. She has two brothers, whose children mean the world to Jenni.
Professionally, Jenni completed two undergraduate degrees and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Visual Arts, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work. Jenni felt more connected to social work, so she continued her studies and attained her Masters of Social Work in 2006. Currently she works at the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association as a clinical therapist. She provides individual and group therapy to persons with various levels of disordered eating.
Jenni loves to paint, and has been commissioned to complete art projects for various organizations. In her spare time, she also plays sports, including baseball and volleyball and has completed triathlons
Jenni's GSE Wish List:
- Any contact with any organization/institute researching and treating eating disorders.
- The chance to observe the effects of media on body image within the Hungarian population
- Prevention measures implemented to minimize the risk of eating disorders
- Personally, I am hoping to experience the art and culture of Hungary. I want to experience the Hungarian lifestyle, with its music, tavern as, cooking and farms.
- I would love to see the Hungarian Parliament, the Vajdahuniad Castle, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Great Synagogue, the Fishermen’s’ Bastion and the thermal spa.
- I would like the opportunity to visit a farm and to experience the agriculture in Hungary.
|

Rommell Pravia, Team Alternate. Rommel is a Financial Planner with Windsor Family Credit Union.
He is sponsored by the Windsor (1918) Rotary Club.
Rommell is 32, single and lives in Windsor, Ontario. He is the youngest of 4 children, and uncle of two little ones. Most of his family is lives in Miami, Florida so he takes all opportunities to visit to enjoy family and sunshine.
Rommell received his BA (Economics) from the University of Western Ontario, and currently is employed at Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) as a Financial Planner. He provides advice and on going support to members and staff of WFCU on investment & retirement, estate, insurance, wealth transfer and business succession planning. His focus is to build long-term relationships with his clients to help them achieve their financial and life goals.
Rommell enjoys being involved with the community. He is Treasurer for the Tecumseh Area Toastmasters (a club that helps its members to develop and improve public speaking skills). He has recently been accepted as a Mentor to a young person through the Big Brother’s Big Sisters Mentorship Program. Rommell enjoys playing soccer, dancing Salsa, and reading various fiction and non-fiction books.
Rommell's GSE Wish List:
- Visit area credit unions/banks and meet with financial planners to learn Hungary’s approach to financial planning services, its best practices, its challenges, and overall service delivery to meet their clients financial planning needs;
- Visit the National Bank of Hungary (Magyar Nemzeti Bank) to learn about the Hungarian economy, their role in the European Union; and the financial system and it’s history in Hungary;
- Visit government offices to learn about the social security/pension system in Hungary, the government health system and private health insurance;
- Interact with Hungarians to learn their customs, values and way of life
- Attend a football (soccer) match;
- Visit the magnificent Parliament Buildings and get a tour inside;
- Visit the Grand Palace;
- Visit the Gellert Bath House.
|
|
|
 |
Rotary Group Study Exchange |
The next GSE Team in 2010 will be in Ghana and Burkina Faso - Northwest Africa in District 9100!
Our team will be there April 3 to May 2, 2010.
The Team will focus on all types of WATER MANAGMENT!
The Rotary Foundation will provide transportation and Rotarians in District
9100 will host these team members in their homes.
|
| |
What is Group Study Exchange? |
The Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and vocational
exchange opportunity for business and professional men and women in
the initial years of their careers. The program is designed to
develop professional and leadership skills among young people to
better prepare them to address the needs of their communities and an
increasingly global workplace.
Past Group Study Exchange teams in our District 6400 have visited
Chile, Germany, Belgium, Japan, South Africa, Russia, Brazil, India,
Finland, Taiwan and Greece, among other places.
|
What is Provided? |
For each team member, The Rotary Foundation provides the most
economical round-trip air ticket between Detroit and Africa.
Local Rotarians in District 9100 will provide for meals, lodging and
group travel in their district. Each team member is responsible for
all personal and incidental expenses incurred before, during and
after the study tour.
|
Why Should I Participate? |
Individuals who participate in this valuable, once-in-a-lifetime
experience will return home, not only with new perspectives and an
enlarged vision, but with fresh ideas and an understanding of the
challenges of Clean Water and Waste Water Managment in Northewst Africa that can be
invaluable to a country’s, and a company’s, future. A Group Study
Exchange offers the most unique and rewarding skills-building
opportunity and personal-growth experience.
We will be looking for participants to Northwest Africa 2010!
|
|
| |
What is required of me? |
Before leaving: Participate in any orientation sessions or group
meetings and obtain the necessary documents for traveling.
During the tour:
- accept the decisions of the Rotarian team leader;
- fulfill any requirements to speak at host district gatherings;
- remain with the group throughout the study tour except when individual activities are planned; and
- maintain standards of behavior which will reflect positively on Rotary and the home country.
After returning:
- prepare and submit final reports of the tour as required by the sponsoring district and The Rotary Foundation; and
- speak about your study tour experiences to Rotary clubs and other groups.
|
|
| |
Who is eligible? |
A GSE team consists of four non-Rotarian business or professional people and a Rotarian team leader. Applicants must:
- be between the ages of 25 and 40;
- be in the early stages of their careers or professions;
- reside in or be employed in the sending Rotary district and also be citizens of the country in which they reside;
- be open-minded, tolerant, and flexible;
- be comfortable working as part of a team with a schedule that is physically and emotionally demanding.
Note: Spouses may not accompany teams. In
addition team members may not be: a Rotarian; an employee of Rotary
or their spouse; any lineal descendant of a Rotarian; or the spouse
of a lineal descendant of a Rotarian.
|
|
| |
How do I Apply? |
Applying for a Team Member must be made through a local District 6400 Rotary Club!
Team Members - Individuals interested in applying as a Exchange
Team member should complete the Team Member Application and submit it to one of the District GSE Co-Chairs, Howard Andrews or Kim Spirou
Additional information regarding Group Study Team Membership is available on the Rotary International web site.
Team Leader - Rotarians interested in applying as Team Leader for the
Exchange should complete the Team Leader Application and submit it to the District Committee before August 1, 2009 for the exchange in NW Africa. Please note: all Team Lead Applications MUST be endorsed by your Club before they will be accepted.
Additional information regarding Group Study Team Leader is available on the Rotary International web site.
Team Member -
Business or Professional poeple apply to their local Rotary Club. Approved application are due to District 6400 by August 15th, 2009
|
|
|
|
|