A Group Study Exchange (GSE) group from Japan recently visited the Clintonville Rotary Club to share information about their region of Japan and learn more about the Clintonville area. The group was visiting from Rotary International District 2710 in the Hiroshima/Yamaguchi area of south east Japan. Their visit to Clintonville marked the final week of a 30-day stay in the area and they have been kept busy touring business and recreational sites throughout the local Rotary District.
During their stay, they were presented a $10,000 donation collected for disaster relief for efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan. While at the Clintonville Rotary Club’s meeting, they presented a power point presentation highlighting their region of Japan.
The visit was made possible by the Rotary’s GSE program, which features teams of 4-6 non-Rotarian team members, usually of various business and professional backgrounds, and one Rotarian team leader. The GSE experience spans 4-6 weeks. During the exchange, teams visit local businesses, government offices, and community organizations in the host district, tour historical and cultural sites, stay with Rotarian host families, and make presentations about their home countries and professions.
GSE is designed to enhance the international perspective of the next generation of young leaders that will take their companies into the future. GSE participants return with new communication and facilitation skills that promote tolerance and collaboration with professional people of other cultures. GSE fosters a creative approach to problem solving by expanding the employee’s skill set, exposure to alternate methodologies, and preparation for addressing community needs.