The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange program is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
This year the vocational exchange partner in the Philippines is Rotary International District 3820 in the region southeast of Luzon.
Speaking at the Rotary Club of Austintown, the Ohio team leader was Elaine M.S. Bozick, a past president of the Rotary Club of Youngstown. In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families. Tired but full of enthusiasm for the wonderful welcome they received, Bozick said she was totally impressed with the way the Philippine Rotarians made the team feel.
Bozick encouraged everyone to become familiar with what Rotary is doing with this program become a team leader if possible.
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Photo special to the Town Crier
Elaine Bozick, past president of the Rotary Club of Youngstown is shown with Susan Leetch, president of the Rotary Club of Austintown and the book that will be presented to the Woodside library in Bozick’s honor. Bozick is the Ohio team leader in a group study exchange program.