Rotary International Foundation Group Study Exchange (GSE) programme recently facilitated a monthlong trip where four young professionals from The Rock traded places with their counterparts from Virginia, USA.

The programme, funded by the Rotary Foundation, involves a partnership between two Rotary districts — district 7020, which includes Jamaica and district 7610 of North-Eastern Virginia.

Those who participated in the GSE to Virginia were team leader and past president of the Rotary Club of Kingston, Andre Hylton; Denise Garfield, corporate planner with the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League (JCCUL); Kellie-Ann Styles, investment advisor with Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB); and Mark Barnett, area manager for Kingston and St Andrew at the National Water Commission (NWC).

The GSE programme facilitated professional and cultural exchange while at the same time promoting the activities of Rotary to the recipient district. For the duration, the guests enjoyed an interesting experience, including discussions with enterprises in line with their profession, gaining insight on how business is done in that ‘neck of the woods’.

What’s more, the team visited with 25 Rotary clubs promoting both the activities of district 7020 and also the culture and attractions of Jamaica, which was well received.

Not to be outdone, the hosts from the Old Dominion wasted no effort in culturally baptising the Jamaicans on the history of the “Mother State of America” and other social activities. SO gives you a peek!