rotary scholars semninar book 2011
TRANSCRIPT
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U N I V E R S I T Y O F TA M PA
TA M PA , F LO R I D A
J U N E 2 4 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 1
S C H O L A R S E M I N A R .b l o g s p o t . CO M
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SCHOLAR SEMINAR TEAM Bill Stuart, Rotarian [email protected]
Hunter Zager, Rotarian & Former Scholar [email protected]
Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar [email protected]
Bram Fiebelkorn, Former Scholar [email protected]
FORMER SCHOLARS Tammy Ju [email protected]
Kristianna Rodriguez [email protected]
Lissa Viana [email protected]
Nathan Wangusi [email protected]
Samantha Williams [email protected]
ROTARIANS & PRESENTERS Dr. Deri Ronis, Rotarian [email protected]
Harris Brown, Rotarian [email protected]
Ana Horton, Rotarian [email protected]
Jorge Aguilar, TRF coordinator [email protected]
John Paul Martinez, presenter [email protected]
George Robertson-Burnett, Rotarian
Doug & Valerie Andrews, Rotarian
Alan & Melanie Feldman, 2011-2012 District Governor for 6890, Rotarian
Philip Allen, Rotarian
Daphne Macfarlan, Rotarian [email protected]
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Ambassadorial Scholars Seminar. We have worked hard to develop this program to help prepare you for your journey. Use this time to ask questions, absorb all you can and most importantly HAVE FUN!
You should all be incredibly proud to be Rotary Scholars! It is a big responsibility,
but it is a responsibility that is easy, enjoyable and life changing. We are equally
proud of you and eager to share with you our knowledge and past experiences.
Also, don’t forget to share your experiences with us during your travels.
This weekend will feature a number of presenters and activities. The handbook
will be your guide for all of those activities. Be sure to take notes of interesting
and useful things throughout the weekend, as it may become handy during your
trip.
Furthermore, be sure to meet and get to know other scholars during this week-
end and keep in contact. Many of us have made life-long friendships at this sem-
inar and we hope that all of you can do the same.
You may have noticed the ‘Pockets of Peace’ statement on your name tag. As
Rotary Scholars, you will all help to create those ‘Pockets of Peace’ through in-
ternational exchange of IDEAS, building meaningful international FRIENDSHIPS,
sharing the universal love of FAMILY and combining service and intellectual pur-
suits to create UNDERSTANDING & GOODWILL.
Thank you for attending and we look forward to hearing your stories of creating
‘Pockets of Peace’ in the months and years ahead!
CONTENTS
Agenda - 4
Bob Perkins - 7
History of Rotary - 8
Scholar Tips - 13
Scholars - 17
Scholar Spotlights - 21
Seminar Eval - 29
Bon Voyage! - 31
WELCOME TO THIS YEAR’S SEMINAR
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3pm – 4:30 Registration, Plant Hall
4:30 – 5:15 Welcome Reception with Local Rotarians, Plant Hall
5:15 – 6:15 Dinner with Local Rotarians at the Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall
6:30 – 6:32 Session One – Bill Stuart, Moderator
6:33 – 6:38 District 6890 Welcome - Bill Stuart, Rotarian
6:39 – 6:44 Our Purpose – Bill Stuart, Rotarian
6:45 – 7:44 Self Introductions – Rotary Scholars
7:45 – 7:49 This is Rotary (Video)
7:50 – 7:55 The Scholar & Evanston – Jorge Aguilar, TRF
7:56 – 8:20 Keynote – Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar
8:21 – 8:51 Reflections – “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way…,” Former Scholars
8:52 – 8:59 The Word – Bill Stuart, Rotarian
9:00 - ? Social Hours – All are invited!
2011 AGENDA
FRID
AY, J
UN
E 24
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7:30 – 8:00 Breakfast – Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall
8:15 – 8:18 Session Two – Hunter Zager, Moderator
8:19 – 8:25 Scholar Responsibilities, Before – Jorge Aguilar, TRF
8:26 – 8:32 Tour of a Rotary Meeting – George Robertson-Burnett, Rotarian
8:33 – 8:39 Nuts & Bolts – Jorge Aguilar, TRF
8:40 – 8:49 Tech Stuff – Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar
8:50 – 8:56 Four-Way Test - Harris Brown, Rotarian
8:57 – 9:04 The Future Vision Pilot - Jorge Aguilar, TRF
9:05 – 9:12 Polio Plus & HHH Programs – George Robertson-Burnett, Rotarian
9:13 – 9:27 BREAK
9:28 – 9:34 First Four Avenues of Service – Harris Brown, Rotarian
9:35 – 9:41 New Generations: The 5th Avenue of Service – George Robertson-Burnett, Rotarian
9:42 – 9:48 Scholar Responsibilities, During – Jorge Aguilar, TRF
9:49 – 9:55 The Rotary Scholar in Local Community Service Projects
9:56 – 10:06 Service Project Highlight – John Paul Martinez, Outbound Scholar
10:07 – 10:41 Community Service Project Experiences – Former Scholars
10:42 – 10:59 BREAK
11:00 – 11:56 “Where in the World are you going?”, Breakout, Hunter Zager, Rotarian & Former Scholar
11:57 – 12:00 Q & A and Housekeeping
12:01 – 12:59 Lunch
1:00 – 1:45 FREE TIME
1:46 – 2:00 Seminar Photo, Front Steps of Plant Hall
2:10 – 2:12 Session Three – Kevin Guthrie, Moderator
2:13 – 3:05 What We Learned & Wished We Had Known – Former Scholars
SATU
RD
AY, J
UN
E 25
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3:06 – 3:21 The Rotary Speech – Hunter Zager, Rotarian & Former Scholar
3:22 – 3:37 BREAK
3:38 – 4:38 The Amazing Adventures of a Rotary Scholar, Former Scholars
4:39 – 4:45 Scholar Responsibilities, After – Jorge Aguilar, TRF
4:46 – 5:00 Q & A and Housekeeping
5:01 – 6:00 Dinner
6:15 – 6:18 Session Four – Bill Stuart, Moderator
6:19 – 6:27 Rotary Youth Exchange, Hunter Zager, Rotarian
6:28 – 6:34 Rotaract, Bram Fiebelkorn, Former Scholar
6:35 – 6:41 Group Study Exchange
6:42 – 7:12 Culture Shock & Reverse Culture Shock – Hunter Zager, Rotarian
7:13 – 7:30 BREAK
7:31 – 8:19 Conference Speeches, Ambassadorial Scholars
8:20 - ? Social Hours – All are invited!!!
7:30 – 8:00 Breakfast – Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall
8:15 – 8:19 Final Session – Bill Stuart, Moderator
8:20 – 8:35 The Rotary Speech, Part 2 – Lissa Viana
8:36 – 9:06 Rotary Speech Workshop with Former Scholars
9:07 – 9:22 A Challenge from Headquarters – Jorge Aguilar, TRF
9:23– 9:38 BREAK
9:39 – 10:09 The Final Inch (Video)
10:10 – 10:23 Creating Pockets of Peace – Bram Fiebelkorn, Former Scholar
10:24 – 10:38 Always Foundation Alumni – Hunter Zager, Rotarian
10:39 – 11:29 Closing Thoughts & Graduation – Former Scholars
11:30 – Adjourn
SATU
RD
AY, J
UN
E 25
cont
inue
d
SUN
DAY
, JU
NE
26
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Bob Perkins was a proactive leader by nature. He saw a need for Rotary Foundation Scholars to learn of the history, the mission and the expectations of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation.
As a former college president, with a multinational student body, he was aware that it
was critical to their success for them to know about the cultural diversity and shock
Scholars would encounter during their year abroad and on their return home. He also
knew it was imperative that these Scholars understand and appreciate the need to com-
municate with their families, clubs and districts as well The Rotary Foundation.
He was the executive director of several charitable foundations, and he viewed this as a
matter of stewardship. Districts were spending substantial resources of time, talent and
treasure to prepare Group Study Exchange Team members to spend up to six weeks
abroad, a far greater investment on the part of the Foundation.
Bob was persuaded that the leadership to meet this need was too important to delegate;
the mechanics too important to become embroiled in politics; and the program too im-
portant to not be constantly improved, even at the sacrifice of his personal ego.
He orchestrated the formation of the seminar to prepare Rotary Scholars to serve as
Ambassadors of Goodwill and to Create Pockets of Peace. The seminar has become a
model, The Perkin’s Model, for outbound scholars’ programs and is indeed a tribute to
his vision and leadership - to his Service Above Self.
Bob was a member of the Rotary Club of Sarasota, of which he was a past president. He
served as a governor of District 6960 in 1978-79 and represented the President of Rotary
International on a number of occasions. Bob served twice of the Council of Legislation
Assemblies. He also held numerous other club, district, zone and international assign-
ments.
Bob Perkins died in December 1997. His legacy still guides and informs the Rotary
Scholars Seminar today.
BILL STUART
MODERATOR, SCHOLAR
SEMINAR COMMITTEE
CHAIR & COORDINA-
TOR, ROTARIAN & PAST
DISTRICT GOVERNOR,
DISTRICT 6890
THE LEGACY OF BOB PERKINS
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JOHN T. OSTERLUND
General Manager
The Rotary Foundation of
Rotary International
Ambassadorial Scholar
Alumnus 1987-88
Stockholms Universitet
HISTORY OF ROTARYPaul Percy Harris was born in Wisconsin but
was raised by his grandparents in Wallingford,
Vermont. This small town environment instilled
Puritanical values and ethics in young Harris.
Having completed secondary schooling, Harris
embarked on an adventure. He walked across
the United States. Along the way, he worked
odd jobs to earn his keep and encountered
many interesting and colorful individuals that
would have profound impact on this impish, in-
trospective individual. Upon reaching the Pa-
cific Coast, he had achieved his goal and now
had to think about what was next. After reflec-
tion, he wrote to a judge in Iowa he had met in
his westward trek and inquired about law
school.
Harris studied law at the University of Iowa
with the assistance of his judge friend. Having
met the requirements to sit for the Bar exam,
Harris arrived in Chicago at the turn of the cen-
tury. The hustle and bustle of Chicago over-
whelmed Harris. He found it difficult to meet
people and his business development and net-
working was challenging at best. As a result,
he conceived the idea of a club for professional
men to gather weekly to share fellowship, a
meal and to provide service to their community.
Together with three acquaintances, Harris con-
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ducted the first Rotary meeting in February 1905 in the office of Hiram Shorey. The name Rotary
was derived from the fact that members would take turns hosting the meeting such that it would
“rotate.”
The Chicago Rotary Club was on its way. The Rotary Club of San Francisco soon followed and by
1910, the Rotary movement became international with the chartering of the Rotary Club of Win-
nipeg in Canada.
In 1987, the US Supreme Court ruled that Rotary could no longer prohibit women from joining its
clubs. Since then, women in many countries have assumed increasingly responsible leadership
roles in the Rotary organization. One of The Rotary Foundation’s Trustees, Carolyn Jones, is a
woman. As of July 2008, the Board of Directors of Rotary International will have a woman mem-
ber - Dr. Catherine Noyer-Riveau from the Rotary Club of Paris. This court ruling was very time-
ly. The admission of women has allowed Rotary to stabilize its membership while many other
service organizations have struggled with their membership efforts.
Paul Harris would devote much of his time and energy to Rotary activities for the remainder of
his life. When he died in 1947, Rotarians around the world contributed more than US$1 million in
his memory. These funds served as the catalyst for what is today The Rotary Foundation’s Am-
bassadorial Scholarship program. In 1947, eighteen Rotary Fellows were selected to study at the
graduate level in a country other than their own.
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International as we know it today was conceived by Arch
Klumph. Klumph, a Cleveland industrialist, served as the sixth president of Rotary International.
In 1917, he shared his vision of a foundation established to “do good in world.” The idea of a
charitable foundation linked to a vibrant membership organization was a match made in heaven
and Rotary International and its Foundation have enjoyed a dynamic partnership ever since.
Today, The Rotary Foundation’s Ambassadorial Scholarship program is the largest privately funded scholarship program in the world. Since its beginning, more than 60,000 individuals have studied as Foundation scholars.
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The Ambassadorial Scholarship program served as the first program of The Rotary Foundation.
Others soon followed. Matching Grants and Group Study Exchange were established in 1965.
Health, Hunger and Humanity Grants (3-H) followed in the early 1980s. Rotary’s signature pro-
gram, PolioPlus, dates back to 1979 when Rotary immunized the children of the Philippine Is-
lands against polio.
As a result of this project in the Philippines, Rotary partnered with the World Health Organiza-
tion, the US Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF to eradicate polio. Rotarians have contrib-
uted more than US$650 million toward this goal. In November 2007, The Rotary Foundation re-
ceived a US$100 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to complete our task
of eradicating polio. The Rotary Foundation is required to match theses funds and has three
years to do so: 2008, 2009 and 2010. Polio is endemic to only four countries: Afghanistan, India,
Nigeria and Pakistan.
After you study as a Foundation Scholar, it is hoped that you will enjoy a lifelong association with
Rotary. Consider joining a Rotaract club or a Rotary club after your scholarship year. Begin to
think of The Rotary Foundation as one of your preferred charities and resolve to make a gift on
an annual basis such that other individuals can enjoy the same life-changing experience as you.
The outbound scholars’ orientation seminar in Florida holds a special place in my heart. When I
was a scholar in the academic year 1987-88, I gained tremendous insight from the seminar that
was then organized by Past District Governor Bob Perkins of Sarasota.
Bob was a mentor of mine and always had time to counsel me. After his untimely death, Past
District Governor Bill Stuart of Bartow stepped in and further refined the seminar. The Florida
Rotary districts can be extremely proud of this seminar. It was one of the first outbound orienta-
Today, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world with assets of more than $730 million. The work of the Foundation is made possible by the voluntary contributions of Rotarians and friends of Rotary.
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tion seminars established and served as a model for The Rotary
Foundation as it introduced the concept around the world.
It was at the Florida outbound seminar in June 1988 that I met my
wife. Beth was the Supervisor of the Ambassadorial Scholarship
Program at Rotary International’s World Headquarters in Evan-
ston, Illinois. I had just returned from my academic year at the
University of Stockholm and was invited as an alumnus to share
my experiences. It was love at first sight for me. Beth and I were
engaged in June 1992 and married in February 1993.
For the last sixteen years, I have been privileged to work for The
Rotary Foundation. I can tell you without reservation that Rotari-
ans are the best volunteers in the world.
You are now part of the Rotary family. Rotary International is the
oldest and largest service organization in the world. Its Founda-
tion has an impeccable record.
I wish you well in what lies ahead. At every turn in your life, make
an effort to stay connected to Rotary; you won’t regret it.
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FINANCIAL ISSUES • Save your money for travelling, meals and buying things • Sort
out your financial obligations at home (pay it off, prepay, leave someone as a power of attorney) •
Be sure to take care of your taxes prior to leaving • Take a worldwide ATM & Credit card
(VISA / MasterCard) linked to Cirrus or Plus. ATM and credit often give you a better trans-
action rate (watch for conversion fees) • International calling plans are good but can be expensive.
A calling card is a good and cheap way to phone home. Skype is also cheap • Getting a bank
account in your host country can be a challenge. Be sure to get a “letter of
good standing” with your home banking institution • Bring a current bank state-
ment for proof of additional funds. Rotary documentation, as well as letter of acceptance into your
study institution. It can help expedite the process TRAVEL LOGISTICS • Get your passport
ASAP! Be sure it does not expire before or during your time abroad. Be sure to apply for
your visa and other documentation well in advance as this takes a considerable amount of
time • Register with a frequent flyer program, especially if you are going to travel
around. Look into student travel cards (rail cards, flight cards, etc.) that will provide dis-
counts and “concessions” for student travellers • Be sure to register at your university ASAP.
This may be a bit more difficult than in your home country • Prior to arrival, be sure to
contact your Rotarian Host Counselor, as they may be able to schedule a
pickup from the airport and help you get acclimated • RESEARCH THE AREA PRI-
OR TO YOUR ARRIVAL (SEE THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK) • Complete all of the paperwork for
Rotary International • Ask your Scholarship Coordinator to put you in touch with a schol-
ar who has been to your school within the past two years THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOU • Business cards with your home and new address • Books or pictures of your home
area. Try going to your local chamber of commerce for information • Take some of your
favourite music • Bring photos of your family, home, friends and interesting places • Sou-
venirs from your home town/state (locally unique things like NASA items, college t-
shirts, seashells, hometown crafts, local recipes or specialty items) • Take some cash or
travellers cheques - your local bank can often order foreign currency at a small charge •
Bring copies of your important college applications, essays and Rotary paperwork • Consider bring-
THE FORMER
SCHOLARS HAVE
COMPILED A
RIDICULOUSLY
LONG LIST OF TIPS
TO HELP YOU
BEFORE, DURING
& AFTER YOUR
TRIP. ENJOY!
TIPS
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ing hard to find items that you enjoy like candy, peanut butter, Oreos, Lucky Charms, etc • Bring
US Holiday items - canned pumpkin for Thanksgiving pie or tiny US flags for
4th of July (you may want to celebrate out of the country and is a great way to share tradi-
tions) • Take a good camera. Smaller cameraS are good buT picTure qualiTy can be leSS-Than-STellar.
BIG cameraS are very conSpicuouS. • Get a web-based email account - Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.
Make sure you can check it from anywhere with an internet connection • Pack light. You
will want to buy things while abroad • Bring your open mind and the will to succeed -
make Rotary proud MEDICAL • Visit all doctors, have all medication ready, fill-
ings filled, glasses prescriptions updated and ready for the entire year.
Medicines can be very different abroad and often not available • Consider
taking a second pair of glasses or copy your prescription. Be sure to stock up on contacts •
Have necessary shots in advance. Be sure to carry your yellow immunization card with your passport •
Insurance - make arrangements to be fully insured while overseas. Rotary
International has recommendations for this and it is reasonably priced for
the required level of coverage • never carry unlabelled boTTleS of medicine • Con-
sider getting a general antibiotic just in case. Most doctors will prescribe this for you PROFES-SIONAL TIPS • Let people know at work within your profession where you are going
and why. Be sure to keep in contact with them while overseas and share your experiences
• Consider taking a copy of your bio and resume with you in English as well
as the native language for sharing with people in your profession overseas
ROTARY • Contact your sponsor Rotary Club prior to leaving. You should speak to that club
and share your appreciation and expectations. A fun thing might be to videotape this and look at it
when you return to see how you have changed • Get addresses or email addresses of
your local club and district members or key contacts. Keep in contact with
post cards and emails to give them something to report on in their Rotary
meetings • CONTACT YOUR HOST ROTARY CLUB & MAKE AN INTRODUCTION • You do not have
to wait for your host counselor to set up speaking engagements. Start making those con-
nections and speaking engagements when you arrive FLYING TIPS • Try to stay awake
late or get up early for two days before your flight to minimize jet lag • Be rested and try
not to party too much the night before your flight (it makes jet lag worse) • TAKE AN INFLATABLE
TRAVEL PILLOW • Register your frequent flyer number prior to flying • Take your shoes off on the
plane. Your feet will swell on long flights and could make you uncomfortable • Be mindful of interna-
tional weight limits for your luggage. Be prepared to pay a fee if your bags are overweight TIPS DURING YOUR STAY • Take it one step at a time. Normal activities in another
country (shopping, navigating, etc) will take longer • Meet fellow scholars this weekend
and find out where they are studying so you can visit. This is a great way to share your host coun-
REM
EMB
ER •
THIN
GS A
RE N
OT B
ETTER or W
OR
SE. THEY A
RE JU
ST DIFFER
ENT.
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tries / cities with each other • Stay in touch with Rotary International in Illinois
• Stay in touch with host and sponsoring Rotary Clubs through emails, letters,
postcards and blogs (but be sure to make updates regularly) • Seek the thoughts and
experiences of past scholars • Don’t panic and keep an open mind • Be smart and be
safe • Travel as much as possible in your host country and city. Explore! It is part of the Rotary expe-
rience • Keep a journal, blog or online photo gallery. Keep your thoughts on politics, life in the US
and abroad and other general observations you might have. It is great to compare your thoughts
from when you started to when you will finish this experience. See “Scholar Blogs” • Contact the
media in your hometown and while overseas (be sure to share that with Rotary International
if you are featured) • Look for opportunities to learn and be involved. Don’t be afraid
to challenge yourself • Enjoy the process - keep in mind that it is all worth it TIPS FOR ROTARY SPEECHES • Co-present your presentation with other scholars as it
may be difficult to get speaking engagements in popular areas • Be Yourself. Share
your thoughts and experiences. Be flexible • Don’t be afraid to inject humour, but “funny” is different
in other countries. Be sure to not make the audience or their country the “butt” of your jokes • Find
out how much your audience knows about the scholarship, if they sponsored scholars pre-
viously, or have heard many scholars speak before • Find out the expectations of
your speech, as to not bore them or speak off topic • Use props, decorations, mUsic, etc.
photos are always a good idea • PowerPoint is helpful, but be prepared with a backup in
case. Technology is not always available or reliable • Be ready for tough questions:
crime, guns, women in Rotary, etc. Some controversial topics might be avoided. Think ahead and
do not offend • Don’t offend the local culture or any person in your presenta-
tion. Comparing countries is touchy - be sure to do it with respect and in a
fun or interesting way • Be sure to tie in Rotary. Some Rotarians have expressed frustration
because scholars speak about all of their good times and travel only. Remember the purpose of the
scholarship and how that ties in with your experiences • You are the best marketing tool for the
rotarY foundation. You show rotarians the results of their donations • Have Rotary ban-
ners to exchange. Sometimes it is nice to have a small gift from home to give to the club • BE
AWARE OF YOUR TIME LIMIT! Lunchtime clubs are on tight deadlines, so watch the
time or have someone signal to you when you have five minutes left • Try not to end with ques-
tions & answers. End with a final statement or two (be sure to thank them for the opportunity) • Speak
aS ofTen aS you can. iT only helpS To digeST The experience and improve your inTernaTional
Speaking SkillS • Don’t assume they haven’t travelled: Ask! They may have been to many places in
your country • Your home area may not be obvious. Share information about your town in
relation to places they may have travelled • Check with your club about logistics:
time of the speech, who introduces you, number of members, other present-
LEG
AL
ISSU
ES •
Dra
w u
p a
will
(esp
ecia
lly if
you
ow
n si
gnifi
cant
ass
ets
- pr
oper
ty, c
ars,
etc
) • A
“po
wer
of
att
orne
y” w
ill a
llow
som
eone
to a
ct o
n yo
ur b
ehal
f whi
le y
ou a
re a
way
(fina
ncia
lly, t
ax p
urpo
ses,
etc
)
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ers, a/v equipment, presentation expectations/requests & if all in attendance
Rotarians • Try to be unique. Presentations can be fun, enjoyable and stimulating for you
and the audience. Presentations can be a rewarding part of your experience • Ask to speak.
Not all clubs will know you are there and your availability. IF THEY STILL DON’T INVITE YOU TO SPEAK, POS-
SIBLY ASK TO ATTEND A MEETING TO INFORMALLY SPEAK OR PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THEIR EVENTS • Send a
thank-you card & follow up with the Rotarians (in most clubs, the Rotarians are the most
powerful business persons and political figures in the community) COMING HOME • Don’t be
surprised if it is tough to adjust to your life back in the US after being away. It may
be a strange experience • This experience will impact everything in your life • Understand-
ing and appreciating people at home is just as important as it was overseas (be patient
with family and friends who can’t relate to your experiences) • Again, it is not better or worse,
just different. This applies to returning home as well • Use this as an opportunity to relearn your own
culture as you look at it with a fresh perspective. Possibly revisit favourite places or have a visitor from
your host country visit so that you may share your own country • Bring back gifts for friends, Rotarians & family members • Bring back books, photos and other memorabilia that will
remind you of your trip • Establish a liaison between your home University and the interna-
tional staff at your host school • Prepare to leave at least 30-45 days in advance - don’t wait
until the last minute • Give lots of Rotary speeches when you return. Let Rotary Clubs know
when you are coming back. Through sharing your experiences, Rotary speeches help to over-
come reverse culture shock • Hit the ground running. Your responsibilities have not ended •
WATCH OUT FOR COMPARING YOUR HOME COUNTRY TO YOUR HOST COUNTRY. SOME PEOPLE MAY THINK YOU DO NOT LIKE YOUR HOME
COUNTRY AND COULD GET ANNOYED • You have missed a significant amount of time. There are events,
movies, parties, etc. that you have missed • Get in contact with other returning scholars to share
how they are doing • Stay in touch with your friends overseas and start to make plans to visit
again soon • CONSIDER BECOMING A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW • Consider becoming involved with
Rotary • Come back and participate in the Rotary Scholars Seminar as a former Scholar •
Consider ways to contribute to peace and international understanding at
home • All of you are the best salespersons for this program, so spread the word and share
your experiences • Don’t forget to keep in contact with your Rotary friends and family in your home
country and your host country • Join the Rotary Scholars group on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com
- a professional networking website) SCHOLAR BLOGS • If you want to read the expe-
riences of the scholars through their blogs, go to: ScholarSeminar.blogspot.com & look for
the “Scholar Blogs” section • Add your blog to the list. Email us at scholarseminar@yahoo.
com with your URL • There are man forms of communications. Make sure you can keep it
updated regularly. Consider options that are integrated and easy to use. Don’t spend all of
your time blogging / twittering / etc.
GO
T A TIP
TO SH
AR
E? •
Email it to us at ScholarSem
.
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SCHOLARS
Andrew Barrows [email protected] National University of Singapore Singapore
Caroline Brady [email protected] University of Sydney, Environmental Law Sydney, Australia fightfortheenvironment.blogspot.com
Cassie Chambers [email protected] London School of Economics, Public Policy London, England, UK
Donnelle Christian [email protected] Aston University, Master of Business Administration Birmingham, England, UK
Andrea Cruz [email protected] Universidad de Sevilla, Journalism Seville, Spain
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Daniel Duarte [email protected] University of Manchester, International Development Manchester, England
Zoe Durand [email protected] University of Edinburgh, Public Health Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Laura Layton [email protected] University of Cape Town Applied Language & Literacy Studies Cape Town, South Africa
Melanie Reed [email protected] University of Ghana: Legon, Hydrogeology Accra, Ghana
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Katherine Stewart [email protected] University of Edinburgh, European Studies Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Lauren Theodore [email protected] University Of Cape Town - South Africa, Social Anthropology Cape Town, South Africa
Nora Tobin [email protected] Trinity College Dublin, MPhil in International Peace Studies Dublin, Ireland
Embri Stuart [email protected] University of KeeleLaw Staffordshire, England, UK
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WE ARE PROUD OF THE FORMER SCHOLARS. EACH
HAS HAD A UNIQUE AND DIVERSE EXPERIENCE
DURING THEIR TIME ABROAD.
ON THE NEXT SEVERAL PAGES, WE HAVE COMPILED
A FEW STORIES WRITTEN BY OUR FORMER
SCHOLARS.
FORMER SCHOLARSSPOTLIGHT
For more former scholar stories, visit scholarseminar.blogspot.com
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MORGANTHOMPSON
TOURS, FRANCE, 2005-2006
Prepare to be embarrassed and just laugh while everyone else is laughing. If you will
be speaking a new language, and if you are anything like me, then the new language
you will be speaking may not be perfect upon your arrival. While studying adjectives
in class one day, I misunderstood the category of a friendly game of “Guess Who”. I
thought the category was classmates as it had been previously.
So when my French teacher used the adjectives “tall, handsome and Mexican”, I
yelled the name of the tallest, best looking Mexican male in the class. However, the
category had changed to celebrities, thus Pablo, my tall, good-looking, Mexican
classmate (who is not a celebrity) was not the best answer. Yet, my classmates and
my teacher were very amused while Pablo and I were left mild to moderately red
faced.
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CHRISTINADOMBROWSKY
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, 2008-2009 Read more at www.christinadombrowsky.com
The Rotaract Exchange in Cordoba was one of my most mem-
orable experiences. During our reflection time, after the Chil-
dren’s Hospital visit, I remember feeling like really I was just
another Argentine Rotaractiano.
When it was my turn to share, I thanked both clubs for accept-
ing me as one of their own and for allowing me to live out my
purpose as an Ambassadorial Scholar through their events
and fellowship. Sitting there in the grass, sharing cookies and
reflections with my new friends in Rotary, it was a moment I
will not soon forget.
The things I was able to personally contribute to Rotaract are
also very dear to me. At the club’s International Night, I hosted
the USA Table. Along with a few of my American friends, I
shared with them about college life in the USA - living on cam-
pus, American football games and even Greek life in fraterni-
ties and sororities.
We shared classic American snacks like peanut butter & jelly,
potato chips and baby carrots with Ranch dressing dip. It was
really fun being able to share that little bit of American college
life with them.
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AKANKSHASHARMA
HONG KONG, CHINA, 2008-2009 Read more at thedimsumadventures.wordpress.com
The last day of class, my students
were instructed to write a final es-
say about what they thought of their
English classes with me over the
past year. The first essay started
with: “I enjoy these lessons because
her smile makes me very happy. I
will remember her in future time.”
Once in Hong Kong, I began teach-
ing ex-mentally ill adolescents.
Teaching in itself is far from easy.
My students were withdrawn, unre-
sponsive and shy. They were smart,
but reluctant to speak up. In time, I
learned to prance around, interact
through games, laugh at myself,
persist with patience, encourage
and cheer, to keep my energy dialed
up ‘till eventually their energy be-
gan rising, week by week.
Somewhere along the way time flew
by. And now, going through their
simple, honest essays, it hit home
that my time in Hong Kong was
coming to an end. My students
wrote about the lessons they had
learned with me, and I was led to
count the lessons I had learned
from them, from Hong Kong, from
Rotary.
This scholarship opened up not just
Hong Kong but the world to me. Not
only did I become part of a family
that spans the world, but I found
myself challenged in a manner that
allowed me to grow in a world where
I was constantly learning. Through
this vibrant city, its people, inspiring
Rotary clubs, adventures in inde-
pendent living, relationships with
people and through a journey that
has impacted me in every sense, I
have learned so much about myself.
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AFUAENTSUAH
Last Saturday I went with my host counselor and his wife, at
the break of dawn, to Amasaman, to participate in the na-
tional days of polio eradication. Thursday through Saturday
last week, Rotary clubs throughout the country teamed up
with local health centres to administer the polio vaccination.
The Achimota club was assigned to the Amasaman area.
The method of administering was quite interesting. Given
the rural area, health centres can’t expect mothers to bring
their children to the area health centres, so we followed the
team and the volunteers into the communities. The head
health worker would call out with a blow horn as they drove
around the community. We picked a central location and
waited for the mothers and children to come out of their
houses.
We were told that a lot of the area where we were had been
covered previously; a lot of the kids had been immunized
already. I had the opportunity to administer some vaccina-
tions (which is actually two drops of a liquid substance). We
gave the children vitamin A (also drops), the polio vaccina-
tion and a de-wormer (a chewable tablet). The kids really
enjoyed my camera and I really loved being around their in-
nocence.
ACCRA, GHANA, 2008-2009 Read more at akwaabatomyworld.blogspot.com
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JUSTIN REESE
Monterrey,MEXICO, 2005-2006 Read more at justinsouthoftheborder.blogspot.com
The professor in my Statistics class who talks at near the speed of
light, called on me a couple times in class, asking me about anything
from what the current tuition is at Harvard (for an investment prob-
lem) or what t-bill values were in the US (since I’m the only US stu-
dent in the class).
Needless to say I didn’t really know what to say when he would ask
me, and I would be forced to just kind of stare at him and tilt my head
to the side like some sort of puppy until he would repeat parts of the
question again, allowing me to pick out key words.
During our 15-minute break in the middle of class, a few of the stu-
dents sitting in front of me turned around and asked “Have you been
having trouble understanding him?,” to which I nodded my head furi-
ously and said some combination of “Siiiii, el habla MUY rapido!,”
and to my delight they then said “US TOO!! And we’re native speak-
ers!!”
So, that made me feel a little better about my first class at least.
Regardless, I can still understand the numbers, and I’m hoping that
that’s enough to get me through with a passing grade.
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AMANDA STONEOXFORD, ENGLAND, UK, 2008-2009 Read more at amandainoxford.blogspot.com
As an African Studies student at Oxford University, UK, I initially
worried about finding a location and contact for my field research
on HIV/AIDS education in Uganda. But the Rotary network came
through in astonishing and incredibly meaningful ways!
An education official from my host club put me in touch with local
schools that have links to Ugandan institutions. After visiting a
few schools, I was fortunate enough to connect with two Ugandan
teachers who were on an exchange visit under the British Council.
The meeting began smoothly, very calm and straightforward, until
I noticed that one of the gentlemen was wearing a Rotary pin! I
excitedly told him about my position as an Ambassadorial Schol-
ar, and after just a few more minutes of conversation, the Rotari-
an invited me with open arms to his hometown of Kabale, Uganda,
with full and complete access to as many schools as I needed.
What a blessing! Even more, I lived with this wonderful man and
his beautiful family for an entire month, with his daughter serving
as my research assistant. Not only did my research turn out in-
credibly well, but also I now have a Ugandan ‘family,’ all made
possible because the trust that underpins the worldwide Rotary
network!
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NOTES
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What specific portions of the seminar were most beneficial to you? Why?
What portions of the Seminar could be improved?
Are there any areas that you feel were missed or did not spend enough time on?
Any other comments? Suggestions?
SEMINAR EVALUATION
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BON VOYAGE!Ambassadorial Scholars Seminar. We have worked hard to develop this program to help prepare you for your journey. Use this time to ask questions, absorb all you can and most importantly HAVE FUN!
You should all be incredibly proud to be Rotary Scholars! It is a big responsibility,
but it is a responsibility that is easy, enjoyable and life changing. We are equally
proud of you and eager to share with you our knowledge and past experiences.
Also, don’t forget to share your experiences with us during your travels.
This weekend will feature a number of presenters and activities. The handbook
will be your guide for all of those activities. Be sure to take notes of interesting
and useful things throughout the weekend, as it may become handy during your
trip.
Furthermore, be sure to meet and get to know other scholars during this week-
end and keep in touch. Many of us have made life-long friendships at this semi-
nar and we hope that all of you can do the same.
Remember, as Rotary Scholars you will all help to create “Pockets of Peace”
through international exchange of ideas, building meaningful international
friendships, sharing the universal love of family and combining service and
intellectual pursuits to create understanding & goodwill.
Thank you for attending and we look forward to hearing your stories of creating
‘Pockets of Peace’ in the months and years ahead!
AS ROTARIANS &
FORMER SCHOLARS,
WE PUT TOGETHER THE
ANNUAL ROTARY
SCHOLARS SEMINAR, A
SEMINAR FOR ROTARY
FOUNDATION
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS.
For questions, comments, submissions
or other inquiries, contact us at