Reflections

Well, three weeks have passed since we came home to our district and it has given me a little bit of time to digest and reflect upon the opportunity that the GSE program gave me (at least). I know that I will continue to reflect and change my opinions and observations as time goes forward but at least now I can begin to give an objective view of my experience in general.

While it is never easy traveling with 4 other strangers (due to the pullout of the original GSE Team Leader as well as the alternate, I had known the team only for a few short weeks…meeting only three times for a few hours each time) it is a good time to learn one’s shortcomings and faults. I find that I am bossy (my kids will tell you that all the time) and need to work on this particular trait (overcoming it, not cultivating it). But, then I realize that making sure to guide four non English speaking individuals, each with such different personalities and ideas, is not an easy endeavor and it is sometimes good to be bossy.

Rotary has offered so much to the team members and there are times when I’m not sure that they realize it. I for one have an idea… the world is a much smaller place than it actually seems and while cultures are different, the basic ideals of fellowship are the same. Only with working together on common ground can one actually hope for peace.

The new friends that I made (we made) will live in my heart for always. I hope that one day, I can reciprocate the goodwill and hospitality that was shown to me. I would like to thank all those Rotarians and non involved in our trip throughout the district for the wonderful job you did in organizing everything and making us feel very welcome. I would also like to thank Art Davis, Governor of District 6450 for sharing his district with us and showing us what Rotary really is.

Countdown

Here we are all gathered together to have the final meeting before flying out on Saturday the 12th!  Our presentations are almost tweaked to the point that we won’t make fools of ourselves too bad! We are all excited on the upcoming trip. Only Sivia has received emails from two of her host families. Luana receive two emails from her 1st host family. Barbara and Fabio will be sleeping under the bridge. Oh well, this is an experience also!!!!!

Our tickets are in hand but the bags are not packed yet as we don’t know what to wear because we are not sure what the weather will be like.

Buon viaggio Team!

 

 

 

Eccoci qui riuniti per l’ultima riunione prima che partiamo Sabato 12. Le nostre presentazioni sono quasi finite e accertate cosi che non faremo brutta figura. Siamo tutti eccitati per il viaggio. Soltanto Silvia ha ricevuto delle email da parte delle sue 2 famiglie ospitanti. Luana ha ricevuto due email dalla prima famiglia ospitante. Barbara e Fabio andranno a dormire sotto un ponte. Beh, anche questa e’ un’esperienza!!!!

I nostri biglietti sono in mano, ma le valige non sono ancora pronte visto che non sappiamo ancora cosa indossare visto che non sappiamo come tempo fara’.

Buon Viaggio Ragazzi!

District 2090

    Rotary District 2090 is located on the eastern side of the Italian peninsula, along the Adriatic coast. Its areas include Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise, Marche and Albania.

Our Governor is Massimo Massi Benedetti. He and his wife, Nicoletta, are a great team and are constantly on the move promoting Rotary and motivating Rotarians in our area to put “service above self.”

Thank you Massimo for all your work!

The GSE (Group Study Exchange) Team is honored for being chosen to represent the district on this memorabile trip to the birth place of Rotary…..Chicago!

Please check back for updates and experiences regarding the trip!

 

 

Il Distretto Rotary 2090 si trova sulla costa Adriatica della penisola Italiana. Include le regioni dell’Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise, Marche e Albania.

Il nostro governatore e’ Massimo Massi Benedetti. Lui e la moglie Nicoletta sono una grande squadra e sono costantemente in movimento, promuovendo il Rotary e motivando i Rotariani dell’area a mettere “il servizio sopra se stessi.”

Grazie Massimo per tutto il tuo lavoro!

Il squadra GSE (Group Study Exchange) e’ onorata per essere stata scelta per rappresentare il distretto in questo memorabile viaggio nella citta’ natale del Rotary….Chicago!

Continuate a controllare per aggiornamenti ed esperienze riguardo il viaggio!