I'm happy to finally announce that I've been chosen to travel with three fellow young professionals and a team leader to India next year for a Rotary Club Group Study Exchange, which provides vocational and cultural experiences for those of us who are in the early stages of our careers.

From Jan. 29 to Feb. 28 -- less than three months to go! --  we will, according to the GSE Web site, "participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 [Rotary] club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families."

Whew -- certainly not much time for sleep! But what an amazing opportunity for all of us.

I look forward to learning how journalism is practiced in India, what the people and culture are like and sharing my experiences with you. But I won't be the only one contributing to this blog.

Team members Sara Skinner of Allen, Lauren Clark of Far North Dallas, Larissa Vogelaar of Lake Highlands and team leader Michael Pugh of Far North Dallas also will share their own unique perspectives in this forum.

Visit our blog directly at neighborsgo.com/blog/india for regular updates about our preparations for the trip, our adventures while in India and final perspectives when we return.

Also, I hope you'll leave comments in our blog entries to offer any advice or ideas you may have, or even simply a few positive words of encouragement. 

I am the Plano/Murphy and West Plano neighborsgo editor (and Plano resident) and can be reached at neighborsgo.com/angela, achambers@neighborsgo.com or 469-330-5671.