Rotary clubs seek Italy trip applicants

The Rotary Clubs of northwest Ohio, in District 6600, are seeking young professionals to participate in a cultural exchange with Italy for four weeks, starting May 15, 2012.

The purpose of the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange program is to promote international understanding and goodwill through person-to-person contact, and to provide international professional development opportunities for participants.

While abroad, five GSE team members, led by a Rotarian, will live with Italian Rotarians and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts, and experience Italian cultural heritage. The group will tour the Rotary district of its hosts, which include moving to a new location every few days.

The Rotary Foundation provides round-trip air travel, while local Italian Rotarians will provide meals, lodging and travel within the Italian states of Abruzzo, Marche, Molise and Umbria. Team members pay only personal and incidental expenses.

Group Study Exchange applicants should be U.S. citizens between the ages of 25 and 40 and cannot be spouses or descendants of Rotary members. They must also have been employed full-time in a recognized business or profession for at least two years. Applicants must also live and/or work within Rotary District 6600, which covers northwest Ohio and includes Van Wert County.

For an application or additional information, contact local Rotary Club members or Ron Stoner, District 6600 GSE chair at stoneron@gmail.com or call 419.276.1839. Completed applications must be received before November 1 of this year.

Applications can also be found online at www.rotarydistrict6600.org.