I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye ... for now.

I will be leaving Monday for a month-long trip to South Korea as part of a group study exchange GSE team. Sponsored by the Rotary Foundation, this trip is geared toward Rotary's mission to spread peace, understanding and awareness among different cultures in countries throughout the world.

It is also through this program that young professionals like myself have an opportunity to further develop their professional skills, expand their cultural horizons and overcome challenges and obstacles that are sure to arise on any long trip with complete strangers.

I know this trip will not be easy for me. But, if I don't try new things I certainly won't learn new things.

When I applied for this exchange I thought it sounded fun; a unique opportunity and an all-expense paid trip to somewhere other than North America. I have been to almost every U.S. state, and to Mexico and Canada, but for the most part, opportunities for world travel have not worked out for me until now.

Admittedly, I applied for the exchange without much thought and honestly didn't really think I would get selected since applications were open to men and women, ages 25-40, in a large Rotary district which includes middle and east Tennessee.

When I was called to Knoxville for an interview, I quickly learned how serious Rotarians take GSE exchanges as well as what a huge opportunity and learning experience the trip to Korea would be for me. I learned, if I was selected, the GSE trip would require a great deal of commitment, open mindedness and bravery.

I was accepted, received approval from the newspaper to take the month off, and our team's plans quickly began to develop.

"South Korea, wow, that is a long ways away from my safety net here in Tennessee," and "What was I thinking applying for this trip," are some of the thoughts that have run through my mind, admittedly, more than once. It is my hope the rewards will far outweigh the risk and worries.

Over the last four months my team, which is comprised of wonderful women from Wartrace, McMinnville, and another town in the eastern most part of Tennessee, and our team leader, a gentleman from Knoxville, met several times to prepare for South Korea.

We're diverse. An attorney, a social worker, an office manager/business owner and a successful businessman will join me, the newspaper girl, on this journey.

We've studied the Korean culture, prepared presentations, completed a lot of administrative work, received vaccinations and most importantly, in my opinion, have tried to get to know each other as much as possible in the short amount of time we've actually spent together. We are, after all, five strangers bound together by our desire to participate in this exchange.

With our 22-hour trek to South Korea less than a week away, I am exceedingly nervous, however at the same time look forward, eyes wide open, to the month ahead.

The Rotarians in Korea have a full slate of activities planned for us including trips to the Korean Ginseng market, medical herb market, Buddhist temples, museums, zoos, a tour of the former president's home, courts, parks, mountains, and much, much more.

Each of us will also get to spend time in our respective vocational fields, and so I'm very excited about the mass media centers including broadcasting and newspaper companies I'll be visiting.

I am told this trip will be life changing. I deeply hope to return to Tennessee a stronger, better and more passionate journalist, and person, as a result of the experiences I'll encounter in South Korea.

I look forward to updating the Times-Gazette readers all about my trip when I return late May, if not sooner (if possible, I will have a blog while there).

Until then ... An nyung hi ga se yo.

Sadie Fowler is a staff writer focusing on lifestyles and human interest feature stories. She may be reached at sfowler@t-g.com.