Travel to Japan Via the Rotary International's Group Study Exchange

Traveling to Japan never interested me until a young professional's newsletter crossed my desk. Quickly scanning it, an article jumped out at me, "Spend a Month in Japan with Rotary," it read. Curiosity peaked, I followed through on the application process and was one of four young professionals selected to represent my Rotary district in Japan.

Rotary International is the world's first service organization with the mission of cultivating global peace and goodwill. The program I participated is called Group Study Exchange (GSE) and is a four to six week vocational and cultural exchange between Rotary Districts throughout the world. The team consists of three to five professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are starting off in their careers, led by a Rotarian team leader.

Airfare, lodging, meals, activities and uniforms associated with the program are funded by the Rotary District. The Group Study Exchange team members are responsible for health insurance, passport, gifts for host families, souvenirs and travel outside the trip (for instance, accommodations if staying in the host country following the exchange).

The purpose of the program is to expand the young professional's personal and professional horizons. In exchange, the team member becomes a more productive citizen for the community and worker in the office. Keeping in line with Rotary's philosophy, the exchange facilitates cultural understanding and friendships to create pockets of peace throughout the world.

Besides the age requirement, Rotary has set the following criteria for Group Study Exchange participants:
* Cannot be a Rotarian, ever been a Rotarian (with the exception of the Team Leader) or an employee of Rotary.
* Cannot be related to anyone in Rotary or who has ever been in Rotary, including your spouse.
* Cannot be related to another team member.
* Must be employed full time.
* Have not previously participated in GSE.

Although not required, the organization is interested in whether candidates would consider joining Rotary.

Once the Group Study Exchange team was selected, we met weekly for the five months leading up to our trip. We studied the Japanese culture, language and history. We also prepared a Power Point presentation about our lives to show at the 20-some Rotary meetings we attended while in Japan. My favorite part of the study sessions was when we rehearsed the Japanese song, "Sukiyaki," written by Rokusuke Ei. Yes, singing is a requirement and important part of the presentation.

Upon arriving in Japan, our whirl-wind trip landed us in the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanshi, home to Mt. Fuji. We stayed with various families and experienced the Japanese culture first-hand, varying from the art of bathing to making sushi. Our Rotary hosts arranged for meetings with government officials and corporate executives along with behind the scene tours of high-profile corporations such as Yamaha and Tamiya.

Sightseeing was an important part of the trip and we visited traditional temples, castles and onsens. Visits were also made to a sake distillery, day spa for a green tea facial and a pachinko parlor. Most of the places we visited and people we met with were members of Rotary.

Once a week, a vocational day in our profession was scheduled. Working in the tourism business, my vocational days were centered around tourism offices, travel agencies, hotels and local attractions. I had the opportunity to exchange ideas with my counterparts and gather new ideas for my company. The team consisted of a teacher, realtor and city government employee, led by a funeral director. Their vocational days were also spent meeting with appropriate professionals.

As a team, we saw each other every day but once during the four-week trip. The evenings were spent with our Rotary host families, learning about each other's cultures. Unable to speak Japanese and most of my hosts did not speak English, there was a language barrier, but not a communication barrier. Using minimal English, reference books (with pictures) and hand signs, we were able to understand each other.

During the first week, I was extremely conscious of my lack of Japanese until another member's host mother set me straight. "We study English for six years in school. Our ears hear English differently. We do not expect you to speak Japanese. We want to practice English."

From that point, I tossed aside my books and felt more comfortable about my lack of Japanese.

Weekends were spent in hotels and had one free day each week. Due to Rotary's guidelines, we could not leave the district, but found plenty to discover. The towns we stayed, Shizuoka City, Hamamatsu, Mishima and Kofu, are not frequently visited by Americans. Because of this, the local people looked at us as a novelty. They were curious, kind and extremely helpful. While on our own, we got into minimal trouble: discovering a few hidden karaoke bars and one night missing the last train of the evening. Importantly, we had the much needed downtime to decompress from the intensity of the trip.

A price tag cannot be placed on such an experience. The friendships made and insight gained into Japan are invaluable. When adding up the tangible aspects of the trip, I estimate at least $10,000 was invested in each of us.

Young professionals looking to expand their horizons are encouraged to participate in Rotary International's Group Study Exchange. During the trip, you'll wonder what the hell you got yourself into, but when it's over, you'll be thankful you went.