ROTARY SCHOLARS SEMINAR 2009/JUNE 26-28 /UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA /TAMPA FLORIDA

SCHOLARSEMINAR.BLOGSPOT.COM

WELCOMEWelcome to this years 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 both enjoyable and life changing. We are equally proud of you and eager to share with you our knowledge and past experiences. Also, dont 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 in this book, 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 will do the same. 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!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS /03 MAP OF UT /07 HISTORY OF ROTARY /09 BOB PERKINS /13 2009 SCHOLARS /15 TIPS /19 BON VOYAGE /27 NOTES /29

THE SCHOLAR SEMINAR TEAM. /Bill Stuart, coordinator bstuartmof@aol.com /Hunter Zager, coordinator scholarseminar@yahoo.com /Kevin Guthrie, graphics/tech kevinguthrie1@yahoo.com /Megan Hotchkiss, presenter meghan.hotchkiss@gmail.com /Bram Fiebelkorn, presenter tbramf@gmail.com /Heather Smith, presenter design_times@yahoo.com /Morgan Thompson, presenter yotinthepot@yahoo.com

ROTARIANS & PRESENTERS. /J.C. Cassagrande, presenter jeancas@cox.net /Bill Carlson, presenter bcarlson@tuckerhall.com /Jennifer Jenkins, presenter botswanaconsul@aol.com /Beverly Hunt, presenter beverly6890@yahoo.com /Sherry Magee, presenter smagee@unitedmedical.com /Russ Miller, presenter proconserv@aol.com /Randy Kizer, presenter rkizer@tampabay.rr.com /Jill Gunter, TRF coordinator jill.gunter@rotary.org

/Sherry Eastwood, counselor sherrye@worthbuilderspalmbeach.com /Lynne Burks, counselor lynnburks@aol.com /Charles Sealy, counselor charlessealy11@gmail.com /Jeffrey Roth, attendee jefflroth@comcast.net FORMER SCHOLARS. /Christina Dombrowsky cdombrow@gmail.com /Deri Ronis drderi@aol.com /Samuel Wu samuel.e.wu@gmail.com /Lynne Williams protolynne@gmail.com

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 2009/FRIDAY JUNE 26. 3 - 5:00pm REGISTRATION 5 - 6:00 DINNER Welcome & Announcements Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall 6:30 - 6:32 SESSION ONE Hunter Zager, Moderator 6:33 - 6:38 WELCOME University Representative, University of Tampa 6:39 - 6:44 DISTRICT 6980 WELCOME DGE Randy Kizer 6:45 - 6:50 OUR PURPOSE Bill Stuart, Rotarian 6:51 - 7:49 SELF INTROs Rotary Scholars 7:50 - 7:55 THE SCHOLAR & EVANSTON Jill Gunter, TRF 7:56 - 8:20 KEYNOTE Jennifer Jenkins, Rotarian 8:21 - 8:51 REFLECTIONS A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Former Scholars 8:52 - 8:59 THE WORD Bill Stuart, Rotarian 9 - ? SOCIAL HOUR(S) Current / Former Scholars, Counselors, Rotarians, Instructors, Wives, Husbands, & all others brave & bold

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/SATURDAY JUNE 27 (AM). 6:00am RISE & SHINE! 7:30 - 8:00 BREAKFAST Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall 8:15 - 8:18 SESSION TWO Jennifer Jenkins, Moderator 8:19 - 8:24 SCHOLAR RESPONSIBILITIES (before) Jill Gunter, TRF Staff 8:25 - 8:30 TOUR OF ROTARY MEETING J.C. Casagrande, Rotarian

8:31 - 8:39 NUTS & BOLTS Jill Gunter, TRF Staff 8:40 - 8:54 ROTARY FOUNDATION (video) Hunter Zager, Former Scholar 8:55 - 9:05 TECHNOLOGY Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar 9:06 - 9:14 FOUR-WAY TEST J.C. Casagrande, Rotarian 9:15 - 9:20 POLIO PLUS & HHH PROGRAMS Beverly Hunt, DG 6890

9:21 - 9:26 ROTARACT Meghan Hotchkiss, Former Scholar 9:27 - 9:32 GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE (GSE) Daphne Macfarlan, Former GSE Team Member 9:33 - 9:46 BREAK

10:48 - 11:18 CULTURE & REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK Sherry Magee, Rotarian 11:19 - 11:25 THE ROTARY SCHOLAR IN LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS Russ Miller, DG 6950

11:26 - 11:51 COMMUNITY 9:47 - 10:40 WHAT WE LEARNED SERVICE PROJECT Former Scholars EXPERIENCES Former Scholars 10:41 - 10:47 SCHOLAR RESPONSIBILITIES (during) 11:57am - 12:00pm Q&A and Jill Gunter, TRF Staff HOUSEKEEPING

5:00 - 6:00 DINNER Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall 6:15 - 6:19 SESSION FOUR Bill Stuart, Moderator 6:20 - 6:40 THE ROTARY SCHOLAR & THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT Bill Carlson, Former Scholar /SATURDAY JUNE 27 (PM). 12:00 - 12:50pm LUNCH 1:00 - 1:45 FREE TIME Scholar Counselors to meet with Jill Gunter. 1:45 - 2:00 SEMINAR PHOTO 2:10 - 3:05 SESSION THREE: Where in the World are You Going? (Group breakout) Kevin Guthrie, Former Scholar 3:06 - 3:21 THE ROTARY SPEECH Hunter Zager, Former Scholar 3:22 - 3:37 BREAK 3:37 - 4:37 THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF A ROTARY SCHOLAR Former Scholars 4:38 - 4:43 FINDING YOUR PATH TO SERVICE Jennifer Jenkins, Rotarian 4:44 - 4:49 SCHOLARS RESPONSIBILITIES (after) Jill Gunter, TRF Staff 4:50 - 5:00 Q&A and HOUSEKEEPING 6:41 - 7:26 CONFERENCE SPEECHES (pt. 1) Ambassadorial Scholars 7:27 - 7:42 BREAK 7:43 - 8:29 CONFERENCE SPEECHES (pt. 2) Former Scholars 8:30 - ? SOCIAL HOUR(S) /SUNDAY JUNE 28. 6:00am WAKEY, WAKEY! 7:30 - 8:00 BREAKFAST Cafeteria, Vaughn Hall

8:15 - 8:16 FINAL SESSION Bill Stuart, Moderator 8:17 - 9:01 CHECKLIST DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Heather Smith & Morgan Thompson, Former Scholars 9:02 - 9:17 A CHALLENGE FROM HEADQUARDERS Jill Gunter, TRF Staff 9:18 - 9:27 CREATING POCKETS OF PEACE Bram Fiebelkorn, Former Scholar 9:28 - 9:45 ALWAYS FOUNDATION ALUMNI Jennifer Jenkins, Rotarian 9:45 - 10:29 CLOSING THOUGHTS & GRADUATION Former Scholars 10:30 ADJOURN

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SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/MATT TERRELL /PRAGUE, HUNGARY /2008-2009

Czech is a gendered language. So, that means that we have Mr. Bathroom, Mrs. Oven, Mrs. Cabinet, Mr. Key, and so on...Learning how to cope with this has been hard. Czech is also a language with declensions, which are basically endings of words based on where they are in a sentence and how it is used. So in the Czech language that puts us in the ballpark of approximately 12,000 endings for every word. Give or take 28, maybe. For example: The number 1 in Czech is jedna. But it can also be jednu, jedneho, jeden, and possibly jedczdfadflkju.

Heres a funny story: The teacher was going around the classroom asking people about their family. She asked Jmenuje vis maminka? (what is your moms name?). She asked another Co delas bratr? (what does your brother do?). When she got to me, she had APPARENTLY run out of family based questions and completely shifted focus without warning. She asked me Kolik je syr? (How much does the cheese cost?) I was only prepared to talk about my family... so the only thing I could say is Vita gde je syr? (Do you know where this cheese is?).

For more of Matts experiences, visit mattspragueblog.blogspot.com.

3. Boathouse-McNeel 4. Fitness Center-McNiff 5. Intramural Field 6. Softball Field-Womens 7. Sports Center-Martinez 8. Stadium-Art and Polly Pepin 9. Swimming Pool 10. Tennis Courts 11. Track

Residence Halls12. Alfred and Beverly Austin Hall 13. Brevard Hall 14. David A. Straz Jr. Hall 15. Frank P. Urso, M.D. Hall 16. Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel 17. McKay Hall 18. Residential Complex 19. Smiley Hall 20. Stadium Center 21. Vaughn Center

University Dr.

41. Fairground Faculty Offices 42. Fletcher Lounge-Plant Hall 43. Gatehouse 44. Gilchrist Building 45. Grand Salon-Plant Hall 46. Grounds-Krusen Building 47. Health Center 48. Language Lab-Technology Center for Language Learning 49. Leadership Development Course 50. Library Annex 51. Library-Macdonald-Kelce 52. Museum-Henry B. Plant 53. Music Center-Ferman 54. Music Room-Plant Hall 55. North Walker Hall 56. Nursing Faculty Offices-1st Floor 57. Panache RestaurantThe 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

60. Public Access Studios 61. Riverside Center 62. ROTC Building 63. Safety and Security 64. Saunders Center for the Arts 65. School of Continuing Studies/ Evening College/Summer Sessions Office-2nd Floor

69. Theater-Allen N. Reeves2nd Floor 70. Theater-David Falk 71. University BookstoreBarnes & Noble 72. Walker Hall and Lecture Halls

(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.Handicap parking is available near all campus buildings. STAFF/FACULTY PARKING STUDENT PARKING VISITOR PARKING MUSEUM PARKING FRESHMAN PARKING 15-MINUTE LOADING/UNLOADINGZONE

Cass StreetRK PA IN G

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NOTE: All undergraduate student 31 25 24parking 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.Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel 111 W. Fortune St. (1 mile from campus)Ashley Dr.

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Academic and Administrative Facilities

22. Art Gallery-Scarfone/Hartley 23. Art Studios-R.K. Bailey 24. Cass Annex 25. Cass Building 26. Central Receiving/Plant ManagementThompson Building 27. College of of Arts and Letters-2nd Floor W 28. College Business-John H. Sykes P e 29. College of Natural and Health SciencesPARKING: Parking G aavailable in is rkinst 2nd Floor ara g 30. College of Social Sciences, Mathematics e the parking lot between gPlant and and Education-2nd Floor 31. Communication Department 32. Computer CenterVaughn Halls. Additional parking Annex 33. Computer Center-Robert A. Jaeb also to the west of Vaughn Hall. 10 49 34. Conference FacilitiesVaughn Center-9th Floor: Crescent Club Presidents Conference Room Trustees Board SEMINAR/CHECK-IN: Plant Hall Room 67 35. Conference Room-Alumni 10 will 36. Conference Room- be the location of the Seminar. 7 Chiselers-2nd Floor 37. Dining FacilitiesStadium Center 6 38. Dining HallDORMS / CAFETERIA: Vaughn1 Vaughn Center

32 57North Boulevard

MAP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA37 62 51 20University Dr.

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60 22 Hall is our accomodations and NO PARKING is also where the cafeteria 23 is NO PARKING located. North B Street 46 26 44North A Street

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The first floor of the Thomas Parking Garage is limited to faculty, staff and visitors at all times.

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SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/AMANDA STONE /OXFORD, ENGLAND (UK) /2008-2009

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 Scholar, and after just a few more minutes of conversation, the Rotarian 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 incredibly well, but also I now have a Ugandan family, all made possible because the trust that underpins the worldwide Rotary network!

For more of Amandas experiences, visit amandainoxford.blogspot.com.

HISTORY OF ROTARYJOHN T. OSTERLUND General Manager The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar Alumnus 1987-88 Stockholms Universitet 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 colorful 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/09

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 Foundations 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 Foundations Ambassadorial 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 Foundations 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. Rotarys 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 Internationals 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 wont regret it.

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SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/AARON VARNER /BUDAPEST, HUNGARY /2006-2007

When thinking about going to the place youll be living the next year, dont neglect the thought of leaving. Going is the fun part and leaving is usually the harder, more emotional part, but you cant go somewhere without leaving.

to them? Who is it you need to thank, forgive, say Im sorry or good-bye or I love you to?

The next year that youre gone, youll 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 So, in getting ready to go, what you get back. are you doing to prepare to Trust me....youll be much leave? How are relationships happier where you are next in your life...if someone were year, if you dont neglect the to pass away while you were leaving while preparing to go! gone, would you have said everything you wanted to say

For more of Aarons experiences, visit aaronvarner.blogspot.com.

BOB PERKINSBILL STUART Moderator, Scholar Seminar Committee Chair & Coordinator, Rotarian and Past District Governor, District 6890 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. 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 Perkins 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.

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SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/CHRISTINA DOMBROWSKY /BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA /2008-2009

The Rotaract Exchange in Cordoba was one of my most memorable experiences. During our reflection time, after the Childrens 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 clubs 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.

For more of Christinas experiences, visit www.christinadombrowsky.com.

2009 SCHOLARS/BRIAN ACKERMAN brianw.ackerman@gmail.com 2-year / Peace Scholar Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro /JULIE ALLEN j00lerd@aol.com 1-year Scholar New Delhi, India University of Delhi, Political Science /MEGAN BLEVINS m.blevins6@yahoo.com 3-month Scholar Argentina Latin Immersion & Spanish /SARAH BRITTINGHAM brittinghams@yahoo.com 1-year Scholar The Hague, Netherlands Institute of Social Sciences Poverty & Social Development /DEBORAH BROWN brown_evadne@hotmail.com 1-year Scholar Fayetteville, Arkansas University of Arkansas, Public Policy-Agriculture /BETH BURNETTE Laura.burnette@lander.edu 3-month Scholar Granada, Spain Sociedad Hispano Mundial, Spanish /GILLES SITOU BYLL-CATARIA sitoub.unf@gmail.com 3-month Scholar Granada, Spain Sociedad Hispano Mundial Spanish /NATALIE CASTELLANOS nataliekc@gmail.com 1-year Scholar Chile Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Law/15

/WILLIAM CODY wcody08@ymail.com 1-year Scholar Edinburgh, Scotland University of Edinburgh, Intl and European Politics /REBECCA COREY rebeccaecorey@gmail.com 1-year Scholar Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Development Studies /VANESSA DOUYON vdouyon@gmail.com 6-month Scholar Senegal Projects Abroad, French

/KARL HAMILTON kah_09@live.com 1-year Scholar Kingston, Jamaica McGill University /MICKY HUBBARD mickey.hubbard@gmail.com 6-month Scholar Amman, Jordan University of Jordan Language Center, Arabic /MICHELLE JESTER mijester@davidson.edu 1-year Scholar Canberra Australia Australia National University Public Health / Holistic Health

/VANESSA SISTI vanessasisti@hotmail.com 1-year Scholar Oxford, England University of Oxford Higher Education /JACQUE SNYDER jacque.snyder01@gmail.com 6-month Scholar Amman, Jordan University of Jordan, Arabic Language /YAMIT TARAGAN ytaragan@gmail.com 1-year Scholar London, England London School of Economics Development Studies /THIANA RARICK tqrarick@gmail.com 1-year Scholar Buenos Aires, Argentina Universidad de Belgrano, EnglishSpanish Translation /ANGELIQUE SAWYER angeliquesawyer@yahoo.com 1-year Scholar New Jersey, USA Rutgers University Sociology & Law /ARIELLE SCHNEIDER schneider.arielle@gmail.com 6-month Scholar Tours, France Institute de Touraine /JACQUELYN TOLLIVER jacquelynct@gmail.com 3-month Scholar Zanzibar, Tanzania Taasisi Ya Kiswahili Na Lugha Za Kigeni - Swahili /NILA UTHAYAKUMAR nila788@hotmail.com 6-month Scholar Zanzibar, Tanzania

/NATHAN WANGUSI natekish@gmail.com 1-year Scholar Pietermaritzburg/Durban, S. Africa University of KwaZulu-Natal Engineering/17

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/AFUA ENTSUAH /ACCRA, GHANA /2008-2009

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 centers 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 centers cant expect mothers to bring their children to the area health centers, 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.

For more of Afuas experiences, visit akwaabatomyworld.blogspot.com.

TIPS FROM THE FORMER SCHOLARSThe former scholars have compiled a rediculously long list of tips to help you prior to, during and after your trip. /FINANCIAL ISSUES. Save your money for traveling, 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. ATMs 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 showing proof of additional funds. Rotary documentation, as well as letter of acceptance into your study institution. This will sometimes 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 travelers. Be sure to get registered at your university. This may be a bit more difficult than registering in your home country. Be patient. Prior to arrival, be sure to/19

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 favorite 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. Take some cash or travelers 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 it 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 and pinpoint you as a tourist. 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 as little as possible, 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 unlabeled bottles of medicine. Consider getting a general antibiotic just in case. Most/21

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 luggage weight limits - airlines differ

for international flights than intercontinental flights. Be prepared to pay excess fees 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 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. Dont 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. Dont 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. Dont be afraid to inject humor, 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 in the past, or if they 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. Dont 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

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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). Speak as often as you can. It only helps to digest the experience and improve your international speaking skills. Dont assume they havent traveled: 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 traveled. 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 dont 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. Dont 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 cant 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 favorite 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 - dont 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! Dont 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 and look for the Scholar Blogs section./25

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/SAMANTHA WILLIAMS /JOHANNESBURG, S.AFRICA /2007-2008

This weekend was a real education for me on what coloured means in South Africa; its a racial designation that we dont really have in the US. Its 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 didnt, 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, Jocelyns sisters were allowed into a bathroom at the airport because they looked white, but she was kicked out.

For more of Samanthas experiences, visit sammyjoburg.blogspot.com.

BON VOYAGE!In closing, we would like to The Rotary Scholars Seminar Team thank you for attending and hope the Rotary Scholars Seminar was both fun and informative. We hope you were able to meet and network with this group of wonderful, likeminded 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. Dont forget to keep in touch with Rotary, your family, friends and us. We cannot wait to hear your stories. If you choose to keep a blog, please remember to keep it updated and dont forget pass along your blog address to us at scholarseminar@yahoo. com. We will list it online at scholarseminar.blogspot.com so we can all hear your stories. Furthermore, we regularly compile scholar stories and information to share with Rotarians in an online newsletter called The Scholar Journal located at thescholarjournal. blogspot.com. Send your stories to thescholarjournal@gmail.com. Even though it seems like a lifetime away, dont forget about participating in the Rotary Scholars Seminar once you return. We welcome past scholar participation to help with the planning, organization and sharing of your personal stories with the new class of Rotary Scholars. We can always be reached at the Scholars Seminar website: scholarseminar.blogspot. com or at scholarseminar@ yahoo.com. Please keep in touch and have a great time on your upcoming travels!

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SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/BRITT COLES /GRAHAMSTOWN, S.AFRICA /2007-2008

One of my most memorable scholar experience happened in one of the most rural parts of South Africa where I attended a local traditional funeral. Because my interpreter was male, he had so sit separately from the group of women where I was sitting. This meant that I did not have anyone to help translate or talk to as we sat for a few hours waiting for the body to be laid to the final rest. At first, I felt really awkward and at a loss but decided to sit through my uncomfortableness since I wanted to show my support for an important local event. Then one of

the local ladies who speaks no English quietly came up and sat next to me. Her silent but supportive company taught me plenty of how we as human beings can communicate with both our presence and our energy when there are no words within reach. In life, there might be plenty of times where we might not speak the language. Still, try to be aware of and responsible for the energy you send out and receive: life is filled with important wordless communication.

SEMINAR EVALUATIONTake a few minutes to /1 What specific portions of the seminar were most beneficial to you? Why? provide us with some feedback.

/2 What portions of the Seminar could be improved?

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/3 Are there any areas that you feel were missed or did not spend enough time on?

/4 Any other comments? Suggestions?

NOTES

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SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

/AKANKSHA SHARMA /HONG KONG, CHINA /2008-2009

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. Soon after I arrived in Hong Kong, I bagan teaching ex-mentally ill adolescents. Starting with the beginners where, despite my four lines of Cantonese and their four lines of English, we managed to communicate and they managed to learn. Later I took on the advanced group, and each week tried to befriend, interact, entertain and teach.

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, both literally and figuratively. 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 constantly grow in a world where I was constantly Teaching in itself is far from easy. My learning. Through this vibrant city, its students were withdrawn, unresponsive people, inspiring Rotarians, passionate and shy. They were smart, but reluctant clubs, adventures in independent living, to speak up. In time, I learned to prance relationships with incredible people and around, interact through games, laugh at through a journey that has impacted me myself, persist with patience, encourage in every sense, I have learned so much and cheer, to keep my energy dialed up about myself. For more of Akankshas experiences, visit thedimsumadventures.wordpress.com

As Rotarians and Former Scholars, we put together the annual Rotary Scholars Seminar, a seminar for Rotary Foundation Scholarship recipients. For questions, comments, submissions, or other enquiries, contact us at scholarseminar@yahoo.com.

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