Must I be a member of Rotary in order to be selected as a Group Study Exchange (GSE) team member?
No, in fact Rotarians, spouses of Rotarians and their children are not eligible.

Do I need to know a foreign language?
No, English is the language of instruction in most of the schools from the mid primary level and up.

When will the trip be made?
It is anticipated that the trip will be made so that Easter of 2003 (April 20) will fall during the middle of the four week trip.

What expenses are covered by Rotary?
Rotary pays for round trip airfare.  While visiting Eritrea, the team members will usually be hosted by Rotarians or their friends who will provide meals, housing and travel within Eritrea.  Personal expenses, any lost salary, souvenirs, shots, and visas are not paid by Rotary.  Typically school districts pay for the costs of substitute teachers and the team members do not lose salary.

Who will be selected as team members?
Team members must be educators with at least two years experience between the ages of 25 and 40.  They will be judged on their abilities to be good ambassadors and their commitment and enthusiasm for their vocation and willingness to grow.  They must be physically fit and adaptable to the stress of group travel.

What time commitments are involved besides the time of the travel?
We select the team well in advance so that they can meet on their own schedules to prepare intensively for the trip. Prior to departure, they are expected to attend Rotary meetings on occasion and some Rotary District events.  Upon return from the trip, they are expected to again attend Rotary meetings and District events on occasion to discuss the trip.  Also, our District has an “alumni association” that meets periodically whereby previous GSE team members and former Rotary scholars have the opportunity to keep acquaintances alive and exchange stories.