What is Group Study Exchange (GSE)?

An unique cultural and vocational exchange program of the Rotary Foundation for young non-Rotarian business and professional men and women between the ages of twenty-five and forty. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired Rotary Districts in other parts of the world.

During the four week duration of the program, our team, consisting of a Rotarian Team Leader and four Team Members will be fully immersed into the cultural, economic, vocational and social life of their hosts. Team members come away from this experience with a better understanding of life and business outside their home country. They observe their vocations as practiced in Australia, develop personal and professional relationships, share ideas and interface on a daily basis with their Rotarian Host Families.

Who are the "Aussie Adventurers"?

Generally a Group Study Exchange Team has a wide variety of vocations and this team is no different. HOWEVER, in this case there is a distinct focus. District Governor Kathleen "Boots" White wanted something out of the ordinary for her GSE Exchange. Everbody had to be musically oriented, well almost everybody. The Team Leader was excepted. The idea was to search out and locate four musically oriented business and professional non-Rotarians who had music in their blood.

We have Brian, an expert on the cello, Gina and Jonathan, two classically trained vocalists specializing in opera, and Brandon, a multi-talented songwriter, guitarist and keyboard specialist. Then, there is Dick, The Rotarian Team Leader, who admits to singing in the shower!

Since selection, our four musicians have been working together to develop a quartet style that highlights each individual's talent. At the Mid-Year Conference in late January, with only one rehearsal, they simply blew the one hundred-plus attendees away.

Our goal is to provide our Australian Hosts, an image of New Jersey, its people, its history and its talent.