AFTER four weeks working and travelling in Sri Lanka I can honestly say it was a once-in-a-liifetime experience and truly life-changing.

I have just returned from a month-long vocational and cultural visit to Sri Lanka, which was organised by Rotary International, designed to bring cultures and communities together, while helping young professionals in their fields of work.

When I was told about the opportunity by my editor, who encouraged me to apply, I pretty much said yes straight away without knowing the final details – and I’m so glad I did.

I have not only met some incredible people, made some friends for life and had experiences I will never forget, but I have also come to know the country very well, and much better than many tourists will have.

Each year the Rotary Club districts offer the Group Study Exchange (GSE) placements to four young professionals to visit another country, alongside a group leader who is a Rotary Club member.

For this year’s exchange, there were 14 who were put forward by Rotary Clubs within our district, and it was pretty stiff competition, so to be chosen was such an honour and privilege.

I was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Worcester, who have been such a kind support to me, helping me prepare for the experience and wishing me well, checking on my progress while I have been away.

Our group leader, John Mills, who is a member of Thornbury Rotary Club, near Bristol, was a headteacher for many years and was also an education consultant.

His training really helped as he was organised, motivational and most of all encouraged us to have goals for the trip, not just professionally, but personally too, and to reflect on our experiences.

He was then graced by four females in the group – and we became known in Sri Lanka by the many Rotary Clubs as his ‘angels’ – although I’m sure he would say different at some points in the trip!

In fact, the name which was given to us on almost the first evening in the country by Dr Suresh Britto who was the Sri Lanka co-ordinator for the GSE team, was so popular, even at the country’s Rotary District Conference that we attended part-way through our trip, the name preceded us and we had many Rotarians we hadn’t met come up to us throughout the event to call us just that.

The other ‘angels’ were Emily Palmer, an occupational therapist based in Bristol, Kath Williams, who works in drug treatment, also from Bristol, and Jenny Simmonds, who works for English Heritage in Swindon.

We all got on so well that I’m sure we will continue to see each other, even though we pretty much lived in each other’s pockets for four weeks straight.

The month-long programme was varied, exciting and diverse, with days filled to the brim with meeting people, Rotarians, going on tours, travelling the country, vocational visits, giving presentations and meeting new hosts.

Our presentation on ourselves, and our district – with mine including pictures and details about Worcester and Worcestershire County Cricket Club (always a hit with the cricket-mad Sri Lankan men) was given to more than 20 Rotary clubs throughout Sri Lanka.

We had all been so nervous on our first presentation with Rotary Uptown Club, but by our last we were like seasoned professionals and it was incredible how much confidence this gave us.

It was also interesting to see how easily we found we could speak to people we had never met before and even sometimes had very little in common with, but they were all so friendly and keen to find out more about us, and also offering help in any way they could, giving us their business cards and saying we could contact them at any time if we got into difficulties, wanted to see more of the country or the city they lived in or needed somewhere to stay.

Their hospitality, friendless, helpfulness and enthusiasm for the programme was evident and we were touched by the whole experience.

Our host families too – about a dozen of them – were extremely welcoming.

They encouraged us to feel at home, feeding us Sri Lankan cuisine at all opportunities (curry and rice for breakfast was a particular favourite of theirs) and helping guide us through the day.

Many have encouraged us to keep in touch and told us we must visit them the next time we are in Sri Lanka, and I’m sure we will do.

While the days were filled with excitement and were extremely varied, the four weeks involved a lot of hard work too.

Being ‘on show’, lively and engaged all the time was difficult, not because we didn’t want to be but more from exhaustion as a result of long days, jet lag and the heat.

But what was great was that when one was flagging, another team member would take the strain and be able to carry the other through the evening or meeting.

My vocational visits took in newspapers, TV and radio stations, and it was quite an experience to see how they were run and the restrictions journalists face in Sri Lanka, which until only recently was deep into a 30-year civil war.

The job they do is difficult and dangerous at times, and I was impressed by their dedication and commitment in such difficult circumstances.

To be given the chance to become immersed in Sri Lankan culture, make lifelong friends and see so much of the country is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m incredibly grateful to Rotary International, the people at the Rotary Club of Worcester, the Worcester News for giving me the time and opportunity to take the leave, friends and loved ones for their support and everyone I met in Sri Lanka for their hospitality.

• Look out for more features about my travels, vocational visits and the beautiful country of Sri Lanka in your Worcester News. To find out more, visit d1100gse2011.blogspot.com, or our Facebook page here.