rotary scholars semninar book 2010

CREATING POCKETS OF PEACE

2010 SCHEDULE 02

CONFERENCE MAP 04

HISTORY OF ROTARY 05

BOB PERKINS 07

2010 SCHOLARS 08

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHTS 14

BON VOYAGE 21

THE ROTARY SCHOLARS SEMINAR 2010UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA / TAMPA FLORIDA

01

WELCOME TO THIS YEAR’S ROTARY 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

weekend and keep in touch. Many of

us have made life-long friendships at

this seminar 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 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!

2010 WELCOME

02

FRIDAY JUNE 253pm - 5 REGISTRATION

5 - 6 DINNER

6:30 - 6:32 SESSION ONEMeghan Hotchkiss, Moderator

6:33 - 6:38 DISTRICT 6890: WelcomeBill Stuart, Rotarian

6:39 - 6:44 OUR PURPOSEBill Stuart, Rotarian

6:45 - 7:45 SELF INTRODUCTIONSRotary Scholars

7:45 - 7:49 THIS IS ROTARY ( VIDEO )

7:50 - 7:55 THE SCHOLAR & EVANSTON Ashley Lapin, TRF

7:56 - 8:20 KEYNOTEHunter Zager, Former Scholar & Almost Rotarian

8:21 - 8:51 REFLECTIONS: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way…” Former Scholars

8:52 - 8:59 THE WORDBill Stuart, Rotarian

9:00 - ? SOCIAL HOURS All are invited!

SATURDAY JUNE 26 (AM)7:30 - 8:00 BREAKFASTCafeteria, Vaughn Hall

8:15 - 8:18 SESSION TWOHunter Zager, Moderator

8:19 - 8:24 SCHOLAR RESPONSIBILITIES, ( BEFORE )

Ashley Lapin, TRF

8:25 - 8:30 HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SCHOLARSThomas St. Denis II, The Harbour Group

8:31 - 8:36 TOUR OF A ROTARY MEETING Karen Barrozzi, Former Scholar

8:37 - 8:45 NUTS & BOLTSAshley Lapin, TRF

8:45 - 8:55 TECHNOLOGY Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar

2010 SCHEDULE

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8:56 - 9:03 FOUR-WAY TESTRandy Kizer, Rotarian

9:04 - 9:10 THE FUTURE VISION PILOTAshley Lapin, TRF

9:11 - 9:18 POLIO PLUS & HHH PROGRAMSRandy Kizer, Rotarian

9:19 - 9:25 ROTARACTMeghan Hotchkiss, Former Scholar

9:26 - 9:32 GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE ( GSE )

Daphne Macfarlan, GSE Alumna & Almost Rotarian

9:33 - 9:46 BREAK

9:47 - 10:40 WHAT WE LEARNEDFormer Scholars

10:41 - 10:47 SCHOLAR RESPONSIBILITIES ( DURING )

Ashley Lapin, TRF

10:48 - 11:18 VIEWS & VALUES Bobbie Stewart, Former Scholar

11:19 - 11:25 THE ROTARY SCHOLAR IN LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS Samuel Wu, Former Scholar

11:26 - 11:56 COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT EXPERIENCESFormer Scholars

11:57 - 12:00 Q & A AND HOUSEKEEPING

12:00 - 12:50 LUNCH

1:00 - 1:45 FREE TIME

1:45 - 2:00 SEMINAR PHOTOMeet at the front steps of Plant Hall

2:10 - 3:05 SESSION THREE: “Where in the World are you going?” Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar

3:06 - 3:21 THE ROTARY SPEECH Hunter Zager, Former Scholar

3:22 - 3:37 BREAK

3:38 - 4:37 THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF A ROTARY SCHOLAR Former Scholars

4:38 - 4:43 FINDING YOUR PATH TO SERVICE Bram Fieblekorn, Former Scholar

4:44 - 4:49 SCHOLAR RESPONSIBILITIES ( AFTER ) Ashley Lapin, TRF

4:50 - 5:00 Q&A AND HOUSEKEEPING

5:00 - 6:00 DINNER

6:15 - 6:18 SESSION FOURBill Stuart, Moderator

6:19 - 6:49 CULTURE SHOCK & REVERSE CULTURE SHOCKBobbie Stewart, Former Scholar

6:50 - 7:35 CONFERENCE SPEECHES ( PT.1 )

Ambassadorial Scholars

7:36 - 7:50 BREAK

7:51 - 8:39 CONFERENCE SPEECHES ( PT.2 ) Ambassadorial Scholars

8:40 - ? SOCIAL HOURSAll are invited!!!

SUNDAY JUNE 287:30 - 8:00 BREAKFASTCafeteria, Vaughn Hall

8:15 - 8:19 FINAL SESSIONBill Stuart, Moderator

8:20 - 8:35 A CHALLENGE FROM HEADQUARTERS Ashley Lapin, TRF

8:36 - 9:00 THE FINAL INCH ( VIDEO )

9:01 - 9:12 CREATING POCKETS OF PEACE Bram Fiebelkorn, Former Scholar

9:13 - 9:28 ALWAYS FOUNDATION ALUMNI Hunter Zager, Former Scholar

9:29 - 10:29 CLOSING THOUGHTS & GRADUATION Former Scholars

10:30 ADJOURN

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PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARKING LOT BETWEEN PLANT AND VAUGHN

HALLS. ADDITIONAL PARKING ALSO TO THE WEST OF VAUGHN HALL. PLANT

HALL WILL BE THE LOCATION OF THE SEMINAR. VAUGHN HALL IS OUR

ACCOMMODATIONS AND IS ALSO WHERE THE CAFETERIA IS LOCATED.

58. Plant Hall-Academic and Administrative Building59. Post Office60. Public Access Studios61. Riverside Center62. ROTC Building63. Safety and Security64. Saunders Center for the Arts65. School of Continuing Studies/ Evening College/Summer Sessions Office-2nd Floor

Athletic and Recreational Facilities 1. Athletic Offices/Classrooms 2. Baseball Field-Sam Bailey 3. Boathouse-McNeel 4. Fitness Center-McNiff 5. Intramural Field 6. Softball Field-Women’s 7. Sports Center-Martinez 8. Stadium-Art and Polly Pepin 9. Swimming Pool10. Tennis Courts11. TrackResidence Halls12. Alfred and Beverly Austin Hall13. Brevard Hall14. David A. Straz Jr. Hall15. Frank P. Urso, M.D. Hall

17. McKay Hall18. Residential Complex19. Smiley Hall20. Stadium Center21. Vaughn CenterAcademic andAdministrative Facilities22. Art Gallery-Scarfone/Hartley23. Art Studios-R.K. Bailey24. Cass Annex25. Cass Building26. Central Receiving/Plant Management- Thompson Building27. College of of Arts and Letters-2nd Floor28. College Business-John H. Sykes29. College of Natural and Health Sciences- 2nd Floor30. College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education-2nd Floor31. Communication Department32. Computer Center Annex33. Computer Center-Robert A. Jaeb34. Conference Facilities- Vaughn Center-9th Floor: Crescent Club President’s Conference Room

Trustees Board Room35. Conference Room-Alumni36. Conference Room- Chiselers’-2nd Floor37. Dining Facilities- Stadium Center38. Dining Hall- Vaughn Center

39. Edison Building40. Emergency Operations Center-Thompson Building- 2nd Floor41. Fairground Faculty Offices42. Fletcher Lounge-Plant Hall43. Gatehouse44. Gilchrist Building45. Grand Salon-Plant Hall46. Grounds-Krusen Building47. Health Center48. Language Lab-Technology Center for Language Learning49. Leadership Development Course 50. Library Annex

57. Panache Restaurant

51. Library-Macdonald-Kelce52. Museum-Henry B. Plant53. Music Center-Ferman54. Music Room-Plant Hall55. North Walker Hall56. Nursing Faculty Offices-1st Floor

66. Snack Bar/Rathskeller-Ground Floor67. Sword and Shield Room68. Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values (under construction)69. Theater-Allen N. Reeves- 2nd Floor70. Theater-David Falk71. University Bookstore- Barnes & Noble72. Walker Hall and Lecture Halls

16. Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel

The first floor of the Thomas Parking Garage is limited to

faculty, staff and visitors at all times.

The West Parking Garage first floor and ramp are designated Commuter Student Only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, parking is open to all permits and visitors

Revised October 2008

Handicap parking is available near all campus buildings.

STAFF/FACULTY PARKINGSTUDENT PARKING VISITOR PARKING

FRESHMAN PARKING15-MINUTE LOADING/UNLOADING ZONE

MUSEUM PARKING

NOTE: All undergraduate student parking is restricted to the Thomas and West Parking Garages. Evening College and graduate students are permitted to use staff/faculty parking areas Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.

This symbol designates locations with automated external defibrillator (AED) units.

The University has certain zones with wireless service. These areas are indicated by signage. For more information, see www.ut.edu under User Tools.

Ashley D

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Fortune Street

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel111 W. Fortune St.(1 mile from campus)

2008-2009

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VAUGHN HALL(DORMS / CAFETERIA)

PLANT HALL(MEETING ROOM)

CONFERENCE MAP

05

PAUL 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 colourful individuals that would have profound impact on this impish, introspective individual. Upon reaching the Pacific Coast, he had achieved his goal and now had to think about what was next. After reflection, 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 century. The hustle and bustle of Chicago overwhelmed Harris. He found it difficult to meet people and his business development and networking 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 conducted 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 Winnipeg 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 member - Dr. Catherine Noyer-Riveau from the Rotary Club of Paris. This court ruling was very timely. 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 Ambassadorial

HISTORY OF ROTARY

Featured Scholar: ERICA OPISSO2007/2008, Granada, Spain

06

Scholarship program. In 1947, eighteen Rotary Fellows were selected to study at the graduate level in a country other than their own.

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.

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.

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 program, PolioPlus, dates back to 1979 when Rotary immunized the children of the Philippine Islands against polio.

As a result of this project in the Philippines, Rotary partnered with the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF to eradicate polio. Rotarians have contributed more than US$650 million toward this goal. In November 2007, The Rotary Foundation received

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.

Today, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world with assets of more than US$730 million. The work of the Foundation is made possible by the voluntary contributions of Rotarians and friends of Rotary.

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 orientation 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 Evanston, 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 Rotarians 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 Foundation 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.

Article BY JOHN T. OSTERLUND, General Manager of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International & Ambassadorial Scholar Alumnus 1987-88, Stockholms Universitet

07

BOB PERKINS, AN EDUCATOR BY BIRTH AND PROFESSION, 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.

BOB PERKINS

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. Bob also knew it was imperative that these Scholars understand and appreciate the need to communicate with their families, clubs and districts as well as The Rotary Foundation office.

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 important 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 assignments.

Bob Perkins died in December 1997. His legacy still guides and informs the Rotary Scholars Seminar today.

Article BY BILL STUART Moderator, Scholar Seminar Committee Chair & Coordinator, Rotarian and Past District Governor, District 6890

BOB PERKINS. Moderator, Scholar Seminar Committee Chair & Coordinator, Rotarian & Past District Governor, District 6890

08

2010 SCHOLARS

RACHAEL [email protected]

1-year Ambassadorial

Singapore,

Public Policy National University of Singapore

JEREMY [email protected]


Mardid, Spain

International MBA, Instituto de Empresa

JAMES [email protected]


Angers, France

French and English Literature

BRIAN [email protected]


Cambridge, England, UK

MPhil in Development Studies, University of Cambridge

LEWIS [email protected]


Santiago, Chile

Teaching of English of a Second Language, Linguistics

ERIN [email protected]


Bridgetown, Barbados

Natural Resource Management, University of West Indies

THOMAS [email protected]


Belfast, Northern Ireland

Clean Chemical Technology & Management, Queens University Belfast

ARTIS [email protected]


Dakar, Senegal

Cheikh Anta Diop University

ALEXANDER [email protected]


Coventry, England, UK

Warwick University

09

SHANIEK STACEY- ANN LESLIE [email protected]


Leeds, England, UK

International Communications, University of Leeds

AMIE [email protected]


Wellington, New Zealand

International Relations, Victoria University of Wellington

VICTORIA [email protected]


London, England, UK

International Relations, London Metro / University of Westminster

PROF. JOHNNIE [email protected]


Auckland, New Zealand

Management & Development Studies, University of Auckland

JOHN PAUL [email protected]


Alajulea, Costa Rica

MBA Sustainable Development, INCAE

STEVEN [email protected]


London, England, UK

History of Warfare, King’s College London

FIORELLA [email protected]


Madrid, Spain

MBA

ERINN [email protected]


Wellington, New Zealand

Communications, Massey University

ANGELINA [email protected]


Bogota, Colombia

International Development, Universidad de los Andes

EVEN [email protected]


London, England, UK

International Relations, London School of Economics

LINA [email protected]


Accra, Ghana

Public Health

BENJI [email protected]


Oslo, Norway

University of Oslo, Chemistry

HEATHER [email protected]


Madrid, Spain

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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THE FORMER SCHOLARS HAVE COMPILED A RIDICULOUSLY LONG LIST OF

TIPS TO HELP YOU BEFORE, DURING & AFTER YOUR TRIP.

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 transaction 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 statement 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 discounts 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 prior 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 scholar who has

been to your school within the past two years.

LEGAL ISSUES• Draw up a will (especially if you own significant assets - property, cars, etc).

• A “power of attorney” will allow someone to act on your behalf while you are away (financially, tax purposes, etc)

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.

• Souvenirs from your home town/state. Look for locally unique things to share like - NASA things, college t-shirts, seashells, hometown crafts, local recipes or specialty items.

TRIP TIPS

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• 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 bringing 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 traditions).

• Take a good camera. Smaller cameras are good but picture quality can be less-than-stellar. Big cameras are very conspicuous. Use your judgement.

• 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, fillings 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.

• Consider getting a general antibiotic just in case. Most doctors will prescribe this for you.

PROFESSIONAL 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 and make an introduction.

• You do not have to wait for your host counselor to set up speaking engagements. Start making those connections 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 international weight limits for your luggage. Be prepared to pay a fee if your bags are overweight.

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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 countries / 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 experience.

• 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.

• REMEMBER: THINGS ARE NOT BETTER or WORSE. THEY ARE JUST DIFFERENT.

• 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 previously, 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 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 presentation. 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 banners 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 questions and answers. End with a final statement or two (be sure to thank them for the opportunity).

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• 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 presenters, a/v equipment, presentation expectations/requests, and 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, possibly ask to attend a meeting to informally speak or participate in one of their events.

• Send a thank you card and 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.

• Understanding 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, and 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 international 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 overcome 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 it is going.

• 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 experiences 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 [email protected] 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.

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.

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHTS

BUENOS AIRES,

ARGENTINA,

2008-2009.

CHRISTINA DOMBROWSKY

The Rotaract Exchange in Cordoba was one of my most memorable experiences. During our reflection time, after the Children’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 accepting 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 campus, American football games, and even Greek life in fraternities 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.

Read more about Christina’s experiences at www.christinadombrowsky.com

BUDAPEST,

HUNGARY,

2006-2007.

AARON VARNER

When thinking about going to the place you’ll be living the next year, don’t neglect the thought of leaving. ‘Going’ is the fun part and leaving is usually the harder, more emotional part, but you can’t go somewhere without ‘leaving’.

So, in getting ready to go, what are you doing to prepare to leave? How are relationships in your life...if someone were to pass away while you were gone, would you have said everything you wanted to say to them? Who is it you need to thank, forgive, say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘good-bye’ or ‘I love you’ to?

The next year that you’re gone, you’ll change and the friends and family you leave behind will change and you may just never get the opportunity to share these things with them when you get back.

Trust me....you’ll be much happier where you are next year, if you don’t neglect the leaving while preparing to go!

Read more about Aaron’s experiences at aaronvarner.blogspot.com.

ACCRA,

GHANA,

2008-2009.

AFUA ENTSUAH

Last Saturday I went with my host counselor and his wife, at the break of dawn, to Amasaman, to participate in the national 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 vaccinations (which is actually two drops of a liquid substance). We gave the children vitamin A (also drops), the polio vaccination, and a de-wormer (a chewable tablet). The kids really enjoyed my camera, and I really loved being around their innocence.

Read more about Afua’s experiences at akwaabatomyworld.blogspot.com.

JOHANNESBURG,

SOUTH AFRICA,

2007-2008.

SAMANTHA WILLIAMS

This weekend was a real education for me on what “coloured” means in South Africa; it’s a racial designation that we don’t really have in the US. It’s different from just being called “bi-racial,” because coloured is used to describe anyone of mixed race who cannot be called black, Indian or white. The Thompsons, a family I spent the weekend with, are coloured and identify themselves as such. However, within their own family they have people who could easily pass for black or white.

Someone who is Chinese and black or just Chinese could be coloured. Some extended family members asked me what people would call them in the US, and to be honest, I told them that most people would probably just think they were Hispanic. I mean, it really makes you think about how intricate and yet how useless it is to classify people

according to the jumble of ethnic backgrounds that we all have.

[They] told me about the old pencil test they used to distinguish between blacks and coloureds. They would slide a pencil into your hair to see if it would stick; if it did, you were black. If it didn’t, you were coloured. This would separate families, as you would have a mom classified as a coloured with black children and a white dad. During apartheid, Jocelyn’s sisters were allowed into a bathroom at the airport because they looked white, but she was kicked out.

Read more about Samantha’s experiences at sammyjoburg.blogspot.com.

HONG KONG,

CHINA,

2008-2009.

AKANKSHA SHARMA

The last day of class, my students were instructed to write a final essay 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 teaching ex-mentally ill adolescents. Teaching in itself is far from easy. My students were withdrawn, unresponsive 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 began 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 independent living, relationships with people and through a journey that has impacted me in every sense, I have learned so much about myself. Read more about Akanksha’s experiences at thedimsumadventures.wordpress.com.

MONTERREY,

MEXICO,

2005-2006.

JUSTIN REES

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 problem) or what t-bill values were in the US (since I’m the only US student 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 students sitting in front of me turned around and asked “Have you been having trouble understanding him?,” to which I nodded my head furiously and said some

combination of “Siiiii, el habla MUY rapido!,” and to my delight they then said “US TOO!! And we’re native speakers!!”

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.

Read more about Justin’s experiences at justinsouthoftheborder.blogspot.com.

21

IN CLOSING, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING. WE HOPE THE

ROTARY SCHOLARS SEMINAR WAS FUN & INFORMATIVE.

We hope you were able to meet and network with this group of wonderful, like-minded people. This book contains all of the contact information for the scholars, former scholars and Rotarians.

We know you are excited and we are excited for you. We want to hear about all of your experiences, so please share them with us. We have several options for you to keep in contact with us and other Rotarians.

We cannot wait to hear your stories. If you choose to keep a blog, please remember to keep it updated and don’t forget pass along your blog / website address to us at [email protected]. We will list it online at scholarseminar.blogspot.com so we can all hear your stories.

Even though it seems like a lifetime away, don’t forget about participating in the Rotary Scholars Seminar once you return. We welcome past scholar participation to help with the planning, organization, writing and sharing of your personal stories with the new class of Rotary Scholars.

We can always be reached via the Scholars Seminar website: scholarseminar.blogspot.com or at [email protected].

Keep in touch and have a great time on your upcoming travels!

BON VOYAGE!

NOTES.

CONFERENCE EVALUATIONWhat 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?

SCHOLAR SEMINAR TEAM Bill Stuart, coordinator [email protected]

Hunter Zager, coordinator [email protected]

Kevin Guthrie, coordinator [email protected]

Bram Fiebelkorn, presenter [email protected]

Megan Hotchkiss, presenter [email protected]

Heather Smith, presenter [email protected]

Morgan Thompson, presenter [email protected]

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

[email protected].

FORMER SCHOLARS Karen Barrozzi, presenter [email protected]

Christina Dombrowsky, presenter [email protected]

Bobbie Stewart, presenter [email protected]

Samuel Wu, presenter [email protected]

ROTARIANS & PRESENTERSRandy Kizer, presenter [email protected]

Ashley Lapin, TRF coordinator [email protected]

Daphne Macfarlan, presenter [email protected]

Thomas St. Denis II, The Harbour Group [email protected]

Francis Mims Parker, District 6900 Scholarship Committee Chair [email protected]

rotary scholars semninar book 2010

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