Group Study Exchange (GSE) to Mysore, India
The Mission: The GSE program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business professionals in their initial years of professional life. 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.
DG McMann put the word out that he wants to support a GSE team in his year as the Governor. To fit this mission, a GSE team from our district will visit Rotary District 3181 in January for three weeks. We will also have an opportunity to host a delegation from Mysore later in the year. Incidentally Mysore and Nashua are working on a sister city relationship, and this trip will go a long way in fostering this relationship.
The Team: The District GSE committee was convened and selected a GSE team. The Rotarian team lead is Claudine Husainy from the Milford Club, and four non-Rotarians were selected from more than 10 applicants. The team of non-Rotarians heading out to Mysore are: Suzanne Delaney: Educator & business owner (sponsored by the Nashua Club); Nina Giannotti: International Student Advisor at New England College (sponsored by the Henniker Club); Sarah Marchant: Community Development Director, city of Nashua (sponsored by the Milford Club) and Allison Morris: Journalist, reporter with the Concord Monitor (sponsored by the Capital City Sunrise Club in Concord).Shown in the picture: Suzanne, Sarah & Nina, Claudine & Allison
The Assignment: During the visit to Mysore, the GSE team members want to observe and learn about the local history and culture, while sharing their own culture with their hosts. They also want to meet professionals in their fields.
- Team lead Claudine: In addition to leading the team, Claudine would like to continue Peace Projects with youth in India, visit schools and Rotary youth clubs during her visit.
- Suzanne: wants to learn how children and young adults are prepared and encouraged to use and develop emerging technologies and become innovators
- Nina: works with students from India at NEC. During her time in India, Nina is excited to directly experience her students’ culture, especially in educational settings. On her return her goal is to share her knowledge with others on campus and increase cultural understanding and thereby bridge the gaps that inevitably occur.
- Sarah: is looking forward to learning about land use and transportation planning in India and how the Development Authority operates.
- Allison: is excited to learn how journalists cover local events, especially politics, and how they interview subjects
Join me in wishing them well on the trip. Upon their return they will be debriefed at the District 7870 conference in April. I, for one, look forward to hearing about their experiences.