A Georgia Rotary Student Program Experience

This is a letter summarizing two of our current Georgis Rotary Student Program (GRSP) students’ experience. It is from Clare Ballantyne of England and Linnea’ Neman of Sweden. 

Submitted by - John D. Richmond, MD, GRSP Trustee - Rotary Club of Dalton 

Our GRSP Experience

Seven months ago, after a similar length of time of growing excitement and anticipation having discovered I would be a GRSP scholar, I found myself being wished a ‘happy birthday’ by the Customs Officer as I emerged into the bustling arrival terminal of Hartsfield-Atlanta airport. I was greeted by the wonderful couple I would come to know and love as my host family, but that would all come later because I only just about made it to their car before I was fast asleep! 

It seems crazy to think about how much I have done, learned and grown as a person since that night. Being at a small college has enabled me to interact with and make friends with many American students, though an English accent is certainly a bonus when it comes to starting a conversation! People often worry that they are pestering me when they ask questions, but I always enjoy answering them. Not only because am I helping to increase their awareness of my country and Europe but it also increases my own awareness of my country, as I have learned more about aspects of English culture which I hadn’t previously thought much about in order to answer their questions. Additionally, I now appreciate more and have gained fresh perspectives on parts of English culture which I had taken for granted.

College classes have been fantastic as I have rediscovered the joy of going to class excited about learning new things, rather than worrying about whether I can fit the new material into my revision timetable and focusing solely on getting good grades. United States History was fascinating having learned little about it in my own country and made me realise that history is much less mundane than my impression of it from secondary school. I have also been delighted to be able to study Spanish again, having been inspired and helped along the way by many of the GRSP students who can speak multiple languages.

I feel I have developed a lot of independence, from making day-to-day decisions like when to get up, do laundry etc. to organising group GRSP trips across the USA and dealing with unexpected situations. Public transport misfortune in particular has led to some of these! Yet when I was stranded in Chicago and New York due to cancelled flights, both times I felt confident in the knowledge that there is a huge network of Rotarians in Georgia able to support me. Whether it was my host mum picking me up from the bus station at 1.30am after my forty-hour Greyhound bus journey, or a Rotarian on holiday in New York letting me join her family on their road trip back to Dalton- even stopping in Washington DC on the way so that I could see the sights-, the generosity and hospitality I have been shown by Rotarians is simply overwhelming. I am so grateful, as it really is the involvement of Rotarians- in organising student weekends, doing things with us like taking us to dinner, shows and events, and transporting us around so we can do activities with college and GRSP students- which makes this unique program so amazing. 

One of our favourite things to do here in Georgia is to attend the different GRSP weekends. It all started in Bainbridge, at the Conclave, when we met the other 43 GRSP students. After only a few hours, we both knew that this would be a good year. We can today both say that these are some of the best people we have ever met, and we truly enjoy spending time with every single one of them. The warmth and love within this big group of international students is truly amazing. At almost every weekend we’ve had small gatherings at Rotarians houses, whether it’s been a pool party or intense games of heads up at the dinner table, which we’ve really enjoyed.

One of our favourite weekends was the leadership weekend hosted by the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. It was a weekend that gave us a lot of perspective on our lives, both here in Dalton but also in general. Even though I’ve been here for 7 months, some things that still confuse or surprise me are the backward date format, the sales tax, free refills, the fact that everything is big and the strange bathroom designs (you can both hear and see other people). 

One of our top aspirations for the year was to learn about America, Rotary, ourselves, other countries, different lifestyles and ways of life. Of course, this is a humongous goal and we’ve barely scratched the surface, but we certainly know much more than we did before participating in GRSP! Linnea and I have been able to meet and make friends with people from many different backgrounds, as well as travel to different states and see the diversity of American culture while making lasting memories with each other, our host families, and the other GRSP students. 

Ultimately, GRSP has been an unforgettable, fantastic experience. I know I’ll reminisce about it with a big smile on my face whenever I am travelling, living in the dorms at university, speaking to anyone about Rotary, America or countries where GRSP students are from, or essentially doing anything in daily life which takes my mind back to Georgia. But I am happy in the knowledge that the impact of GRSP upon my life doesn’t end when I return to England. Being more informed because of everything I have learned and experienced, I will be confident to participate in and lead conversations where I would’ve previously stayed quiet, and to raise awareness and involvement among my own generation of the brilliant work of Rotary International. Both Linnea and I are very excited to think about all the trips we need to organise to visit the friends we now have from all over the world! 

By Linnea Neman (Sweden) and Clare Ballantyne (England)

   

GRSP Student Looking Forward to Year in States

“I want to meet people. People of different cultures. People of different origins, ethnicities, religions.” 

Braselton Rotarians got an update from Georgia Rotary Student Program participant Alice Harting, of Sweden, at its Sept. 21 meeting.

Those are a few of the words Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) recipient Alice Harting used to describe her goals for the year. Harting, of Sweden, spoke to the Braselton Rotary Club in September about her goals while participating in GRSP this year.

Harting said she hopes to meet people from different countries and hear about their culture. “Those are truly fascinating stories,” she said.

Harting also wants to share her stories from Sweden with others. She gave Braselton Rotarians highlights of her life in Sweden, describing her family, where she lives and her hobbies including water sports and team gymnastics. Harting also wants to learn more about American culture while staying with her host families. “I have the most amazing host families that have welcomed me and taken care of me like one of their own,” she said.

She noted the biggest difference she’s noticed in Americans is their sociability and friendliness with strangers. And she’s already picked out some of her favorite American foods: waffles and pulled pork.  At the Thursday meeting, she was looking forward to attending a football game set for that weekend. “That’s pretty much as American as you can get,” Harting joked.

Georgia Rotary Student Program student Alice Harting (middle) is shown at the Braselton Rotary Club meeting with (left) GRSP trustee Mike Alexander and (right) host family member and Braselton Rotarian Shawna Anderson.

Harting hopes to travel in the western United States and to the nation’s national parks. Harting is attending Georgia Gwinnett College and — while she plans to study math or physics when she returns to Sweden — she’s using her courses to better learn about American culture. Harting is enrolled in anthropology, sociology, psychology and more.

“Given how this program is based on differences in culture, to take those kinds of courses is a good supplement to understand what’s going on around you and to understand other people,” Harting said.

Submitted by Alex Pace - Rotary Club of Braselton, Public Relations Chair

Georgia Rotary Student Program Conclave 2016

Representatives from Rotary Clubs across the state of Georgia gathered on the campus of Augusta University August 26-28^th to greet the 51 international students who make up this year’s class of GRSP students. District 6910 has 63 clubs sponsoring 19 students for the 2016-17 school-year (there are 73 clubs in D6910). The students are from countries as diverse as Iceland, Columbia, Lebanon, and Pakistan, as well as the numerous European countries we see represented each year. 

The conclave allowed the students time to get to know each other and offered them a chance to meet the officers, directors, trustees, staff and host families who do the work that makes the whole GRSP experience possible. Our District Governor, Kim Waters, greeted the students and let them know how much she looks forward to seeing them at the District Conference in October.

Every year the highlight of the Conclave is the Student Cabaret that takes place on Saturday night. This year the Student Cabaret featured a theme of “Peace” through music, dance and the spoken word. The GRSP students had just 41/2 hours to put this show together and what a show it was. Many of the students were dressed in their native clothing as they performed songs and dances from their home countries. The show was topped off by a group musical performance of such songs as, All You Need Is Love and What a Wonderful World. The students left Augusta on Sunday fully committed to helping the Rotary Clubs of Georgia spread peace through understanding as they spend this academic year on college campuses across our state.

The Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) students will gather for their first club sponsored weekend on September 9, 2016, for the Maynard Knestrick Memorial Weekend sponsored by the Clayton County Club. This will be the first of five big student weekends planned for the 2016-17 school-year. In addition, all of the GRSP students from District 6910 will be attending the District Conference in October. I encourage you to attend the conference and take the time to meet our GRSP students. They are fine ambassadors for their countries and we hope when they return to their home countries next year that they will become fine ambassadors for the state of Georgia and the spirit of Rotary International around the world.

Submitted by: Dale Van Cantfort – District 6910 Trustee

GRSP Students of District 6910 with trustees; GRSP Vice-Chair Bert Guy, District Governor Kim Waters and GRSP Chair Terry Gordon at front.

GRSP CELEBRATED 70th YEAR - UPDATE

Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP)

This past May completed our 70^th class of international students that came to Georgia for one (1) year of college studies. Yes, you read correctly that is 70 years that GRSP has been in existence, and with this 70^th class we have just crossed over the 3500 mark in total alumni. Likely by the time you read this information, the 71^st class will have arrived. I think this is a major achievement by Georgia Rotarians – there is no other program in the Rotary world like it, and you are to be commended for your involvement of time and money. Through the time and resources of Georgia Rotarians like you, we in the leadership arena feel that we are indeed spreading ‘Peace through Understanding’ – there may be no greater time in our history where this is more important than now.

The 2016-2017 class will consist of 51 students, 36 females and 15 males, from 17 different countries attending 24 different schools throughout the state. District 6910 will host 19 of the total students, and has 62 out of 73 clubs participating by sponsoring a student out right or sharing with other club/s (an astounding 85% participation rate). The class of 2016-2017 is in for a very exciting year – beginning with the annual GRSP Conclave and concluding with the first ever GRSP Alumni Reunion.

The GRSP Conclave is being held on the Augusta University campus August 26^th-28^th, all students must attend the Conclave. It is their first opportunity to meet one another and spend a little time with each other, they will hear about Rotary and they will hear what is expected of them during their year, as well as what they can expect from us. On Saturday morning, GRSP Host families are encouraged to come for training and be involved in Q&A session. On Saturday evening, after we have all had a nice meal, the students put on a Cabaret for both student and Rotarian enjoyment. The Cabaret is always a big hit at Conclave. If you have never been to a Conclave I encourage you come, at least come for the Saturday evening meal and Cabaret – in years past we have had 300 to 400 attendees. Please go to www.GRSP.org to register.  There is no registration fee, but there is a cost for the meal and a reservation is necessary. Also on the GRSP website is a link to a couple hotels in the Augusta area where you will receive a discount if you would like to spend the night. At the end of the school year, June 10^th-14^th, 2017 will be the first ever GRSP Alumni Reunion where all 3500 prior class members will be invited. The reunion will be going on at the same time as the Rotary International Convention – evening events are planned for June 10^th at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and the 13^th at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.

We don’t know how many to expect from the prior 70 classes (71 classes by May of next year), but we hope that as many that can will come take part. A lot will be going on in downtown Atlanta during this time frame and we want our Alumni and GRSP supporters to come be a part of all of it.  Please go to  www.GRSP.orgor more information.

There are many other activities that are planned for the 2016-2017 class, ask a student or your Trustee about them.

“Peace is Possible” and through GRSP let’s all promote international goodwill through friendship and understanding.

By Al Hombroek, District 6910 GRSP Chair

70th GRSP Class ~ RY 2015-2016