Ambassador of the Philippines

Yesterday was another big bet of my future. My company did not officially approve yet my participation for the Group Study Exchange (GSE) program bound for Australia. However, last night was the first meeting. So I decided to take the risk / opportunity to attend without the official approval yet. It seems that I already have unofficial “level 1 and 2” company approval. I hope that I will be granted with official “level 3” approval:). We will be visiting Adelaide, Bendigo and Alice Springs areas of Australia.

If we want, we can have an extended travel to New Zealand at our own expense. The meeting was a soft introduction about to dos and issues in preparation for the exchange travel itself.

Our initial assignments are:

•  Get to know more sponsoring Rotary Club o Flagship projects and key officers 
•  Bannerettes to represent the club
• Revise narrative to fit expectation (if place to visit will match profession, hobbies or interests)
• Search information about the Philippines
• Fiestas o Global Bank o Cuisine
• Sites of Interest
• Schools
• Others
•  Prepare Country Study (Australia, RI D9500)
•  Australian Embassy o Bendigo, Alice Springs and Adelaide
• Take a shot of place of work 
• Check if passport will not expire by 2013

Last night was our first meeting as a group. We finally met our Team Leader. The unofficial get to know each of one of us was better after the welcome / introduction proper. We walked from Club Filipino to EDSA with heels and formal dress! We shared common insights and knew a bit about each other. I feel that whether I will push through or not with this Group Study Exchange (GSE), I am blessed not only to be given an opportunity to be an Ambassadress of my country but to expand my list of friends outside of my usual circle. How lucky I am! :)


Below is my initial analysis of joining GSE:

Pros:

• Free full board in Australia
• New friends
• Expand learning horizon
• Achieve 1 of my page dream lists of traveling in another continent

Cons:

• Uncertainty beyond our hands like being denied by the consul
• It is not disclosed yet if who are the principals and alternates
• Personal:
• My company did not officially approve yet my participation
• I will miss my husband, family and friends for 1 month or more
• Spend for incidental costs

We had also set the next series of orientation meetings.

• November 9, 2012 – 1st Orientation
• November 22, 2012 – 2nd Orientation
• January 11, 2013 – 3rd Orientation

Rotary International's Group Study Exchange