. . . but were afraid to ask.
I'm unable to post photos right now, but let me give you the quick version of what GSE is.
GSE stands for Group Study Exchange. It's a cultural exchange with a vocational aspect. You travel for about a month as a team consisting of non-Rotarian team members and a Rotarian team leader. What's a Rotarian? A Rotary Club member. You can find more info at Rotary's website (click here) or on Wikipedia (click here).
The team is from a particular Rotary District---ours is 5230 from Californi---and the exchange is with a district in another country---in this case it's 3690 in Korea. The idea is that a team stays with host families and visits cultural and historic places with the goal of gaining a greater understanding of the country and its people. Then there are reporting responsibilities, but the idea is to share what you've learned with your circle of influence so that everyone benefits.
Why would Rotary do such a thing? It's one of their goals: global understanding. Another goal is improving health around the world---they are working towards eradicating polio from the planet. So very impressive.
Our team includes a reporter, a photographer, and yours truly (video), so our travels will be very well documented.
My team consists of people born in Mexico or of Mexican descent, so today we were on the Korean bullet train, listening to Spanish-language music. I've also learned some Mexican slang. :)
Fabulous people.
The Rotarians we meet continue to spend their precious time (many are businessmen who work long hours) to guide us, interpret (translation is the written word, my friends!) for us, and tell us about their lives and thoughts. They are unfailingly generous and kind.
Later!
1 comment:
I read this aloud to Charles. I think he really enjoyed it, but may never look at Calamari the same . . . Have you been to a Korean bead store yet? Because if the souvenir question hasn't been settled yet, I'd like a Korean bead.
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