Devon professionals embark on South Korean exchange

A team of young professionals from Devon are off to the Jeollanam-Do province of South Korea under the Rotary Internationals Group Study Exchange (GSE). At the same time, a similar team of South Koreans will travel to Devon.

The one month exchange, which will begin on 1 May 2013, comprises team leader Sally Wilcox, police officer Ed Vallins, lawyer Lucy Seymour and development management officer Sulina Tallack.

Sally Wilcox was born in Somerset and spent all her working life with British Telecommunications (BT). She retired in 2009 from her final role at BT as Regional Director for the South West of England and now lives in Sidmouth:

“During the month we will travel throughout our host province in the South Western (part) of South Korea", she said.

"We will stay with host families, and visit Rotary Clubs to give a presentation on peace and conflict resolution which is the theme of the exchange between Devon and Jeollanam-Do.

“In preparation for the visit, each team member has considered how they contribute to the general theme of peace and conflict resolution within their professional lives”.

Each member has a particular focus for their presentations; Ed Vallins' remit is restorative justice;  Lucy Seymour's will be early conflict resolution and mediation within litigation and Sulina Tallack will focus on the development of community projects to avoid conflict.

Ed Vallins was born in Plymouth and educated at Devonport High School for Boys before studying at the University of Exeter. He joined Devon and Cornwall Police in 2007 and is currently a detective working within the Criminal Investigation Department based at Torquay Police Station:

“We meet regularly to plan for the trip, meeting for language lessons and researching and discussing the culture of the country", he said.

“The intention of our exchange is to foster international relations and support the development of young professionals in addition to raising awareness of Rotary’s initiatives.

“For me, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am really looking forward to learning about South Korea and its people, first hand”.

Lucy Seymour was born in Devon and grew up in Crediton. She went to university in Nottingham to study law. Upon completing her degree and post graduate education, Lucy joined the legal department of Devon & Cornwall Police in 2007, and qualified as a solicitor in 2010. Lucy continues to work as a legal advisor to the police.

Sulina Tallack, originally from Yorkshire, moved to Devon to study for a teaching degree seventeen years ago. Sulina has worked for East Devon District Council for the last ten years in a variety of community involvement and project delivery roles.

You can follow their journey at www.rotarykpopcultureshock.wordpress.com