Group Study Exchange - Previous Out-Bound Exchange Team Photos , 2009 - 2010 GSE Exchange to Northwest Africa

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of The Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 and in the early years of their professional lives. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. For four weeks, team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE 2009 - May 10 to June 11th

Group Study Exchange Team
in District 1191

In this picture we are with RC Taban. This club was the host club for our first vocational day on May 13, 2009. The meeting was in a local hotel and it was a supper meeting. It was our first presentation. Club members remarked on the high quality of our Hungarian translations in our presentation.

Our first presentation was at RC Tabán. Going from left to right, we see Gyula Gáspár (#1) Megan (#3), Timi (#6), Vinicius (#8), Jenni (#11), Rommell (#12), Rick (#13), Atilla Janko (#15), and Gyula (#16)

Check out the first report from Team Leader Rick Caron


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

 
District 6400 GSE Committee Membership
Committee Co-Chairs
Committee Members
Area Representatives
Advisors

Howard Andrews

Armando Sardanopoli 2009-10

Kim Spirou

Emil Houtteman
Jan Kelly
Mary Knauer
Ed Link
Tony Menyhart
Metro Detroit
Don Alles
Ron Vitale
Downriver/South Suburbs
Armando Sardanopoli
Metor Windsor/Essex Fertile Lands
Michael Duben
Gordon Drake
Lenawee
Paula Holtz
Lake Erie
Mary Kehoe
West Urban
Penny Oglesby
West Suburbs/Metro Airport
Scott Wilson
Neal Ballheim, PDG
Michael Browne, PDG
Dave Carpenter, PDG
Bob Gallagher, PDG
Bruce Goldsen, DG
Jim Ives, PDG
Jennifer Jones, PDG
Jack Mueller, PDG
Ed Schulz, PDG

Website designed by Liz Smith & modified by
PDG Jim Karolyi

Contact the Webmaster with questions or comments.

This web site is hosted by Network Solutions.