The Taj Mahal, camel trekking, a tiger sanctuary and a traditional Hindu wedding are just some of the incredible sights about to be experienced by a group of young professionals from Cornwall and Plymouth.
The team of five, all aged between 25 and 31, are about to head off on the trip of a lifetime in a five-week tour of Rajasthan and Gujurat in India, funded and organised by Rotary International.
During the trip, known as a Group Study Exchange, the group will stay with Rotary members and their families and experience many aspects of life, work and culture, including a three-day Hindu wedding.
The group is being led by Cathie Shipwright, member of Rotary Club of Truro, a project manager with the NHS in Cornwall. She represents Rotary District 1290 Cornwall and West Devon.
She said: “I’ve been very much inspired by my involvement in Rotary and I jumped at the chance to lead a team on this Group Study Exchange to India.
“I love to travel and I was looking for exciting opportunities to get more involved with other cultures and parts of the world.”
Members of the team include Graham Donaldson from Redruth, a senior regulatory affairs executive at TRAC Services, and email marketing specialist Anna Penrose, who works for Falmouth-based Mail Away.
They are joined by physiotherapist Sophie Goss from St Agnes, and Cassie Thomson, an occupational therapist from Truro.
The fifth member is Ben Sanders, an assistant lecturer and PhD researcher in Information Technology at the University of Plymouth.
Cathie added: “Rotary is about international friendship and this is the opportunity of a lifetime for our team.
“The group is very representative of business and industry in Cornwall, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, IT and new media. We’re looking forward to flying the St Piran’s flag in India.”
During their tour, the teams will be giving presentations about their families, work and life in the South West, including rugby, surfing, sailing, football, cricket and the outdoors.
If you would like to follow their adventures, visit this blog.
Alternatively, create your own adventure with Group Study Exchange. Contact your local Rotary club and find out how you can explore the world, develop new skills and make great new friends along the way.
