Rotary Arranges Friendship Exchange to Scotland

Our Rotary District has arranged a Friendship Exchange to Scotland as guests of Rotary International District 1020 from May 30, 2014 - June 8, 2014.  All Rotarians in the District are welcome to participate.

The Friendship Exchange Program is modeled on the Group Study Exchange program, but is for Rotarians.  Instead of visiting a foreign country/city as typical tourists, Team members stay with local Rotarians who would show us what's best in their area, while we also share their home and their family life.  This is far more meaningful and fulfilling in terms of cultural understanding, and paves the way for long-term relationships on the individual, Club, and District levels - one of the best ways to enhance international  understanding.

The District plans to send a team of five Rotarians and an adult companion each, i.e., a maximum of 10 adults.  Participating Rotarians will bear their own airfare to Scotland, and take care of their own visa requirements.  While ticket prices vary, they are expected to cost around $1,500.  Local lodging, boarding and transportation will be provided for by the local Rotarians.   For more information, read:  http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/rfe_handbook_en.pdf.  Team members may choose to spend more time in Scotland at their own expense.

Scotland is an ancient country, rich in history and full of beautiful mountains, enchanting lochs (that’s an Irish/Scottish Gaelic word for a lake and a sea inlet) and captivating cities with a long and complex history.  Glasgow, the largest city in the country, features the Burrell Collection, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Kelvingrove Museum.  It is renowned for its Victorian and Gothic architecture.  Edinburgh, the capital and Scotland’s second biggest city, features Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth and the Royal Mile.  Edinburgh and Glasgow have been named Cultural Centers of Europe.   Fort George, a fine example of 18th-century military engineering, and The Burns Cottage and Museum, home of the most famous Scottish poet Robert Burns (responsible for Auld Lang Syne), provides a unique experience of his birthplace.  As Voltaire said, " We look to Scotland for all our ideas of Civilization."  
Famous for its golf courses and breathtaking scenery, Scotland also has its share of Action Adventure and Safari attractions in addition to beaches (790 islands) and other natural wonders.  The Border country, rich in History and lore is having a 500 year old Festival at the time of our visit.  Hundreds of horsemen take part and the Pipes and Drums are played daily in what seems like a never-ending festival,  Come join us to enjoy the urban culture, the magnificent mountains with woodland trails, the golden beaches and quaint seaside resorts or rolling countryside peppered with ancient castles!

Our District’s last Friendship Exchange was with Bangalore, India, in January 2013, and by all accounts, a thoroughly enjoyable and incomparable experience.  Team members were ecstatic.  Eva Finkelstein, President of the Scarsdale Rotary who was accompanied by her son Kevin Finkelstein in the Team, said, “My life has been changed by this trip . . .  I only want to eat Indian food, I am still on Indian time, and I am so happy to have found a place on Earth that works, for the people, and for life itself."  Janet Walsh, of the Bedford-Armonk Rotary, another member of the Team, said, “Under Kris Chittur's able guidance, we were provided with a comprehensive introduction to Indian culture, business and Rotary projects.  If you have ever wondered what it was like to be a Maharajah, you can experience it first hand at the Rotary Club of Bangalore.  Mohan Gurjar, the president, and all the members took time and made the effort to ensure our every need was anticipated and provided for.  I particularly enjoyed the business interactions with colleagues in manufacturing, technology, services and retail industries.  Their insight and perspective will be mutually beneficial as we expand further into India.  The Rotary projects including hospitals, blood bank, dialysis center and school were inspiring.  From a cultural perspective, I enjoyed the trip to the Mysore palace and the neon-painted Holstein cows that wander through the city.  Bangalore has an exceptional zoo safari park displaying sloth bears, Asiatic lions and tigers and chittral deer in natural settings which is not to be missed!"  Kevin Finkelstein agreed.  "I could not imagine a more educational, enlightening experience than our recent Friendship Exchange adventure to the Rotary Club of Bangalore," he said.

The full report of the last year’s Friendship Exchange Team’s visit to Bangalore, India, may be read in the District’s Newsletter of February 2013, which is available in the District’s website, rotary7230.org. Enjoy Scotland with well-informed, friendly and fun-loving Rotarians, and enjoy the best of Scottish hospitality.

Please note that (a) all team participants are expected to host, or arrange for hosting, a Rotarian guest couple from Scotland when the return Friendship Exchange team from Scotland visits here later in the year; and (b) team members will selected be on the basis of first-come, first served.  Questions?  Email me at kchittur@post.harvard.edu

Yours in Rotary Service, Krishnan Chittur Chair, Friendship Exchange Committee, Rotary International District 7230