If you need proof that we further worldwide understanding through Rotary, read this thoughtful leter just received fromMatthew Murphy, one of our exchange students in France. And thanks to intermediary David Stallings for forwarding it.
Mr. Stallings,
As I'm typing this email it's been a little over a month since I've been in France.
Needless to say it's been incredible. I'll be taking a trip to Mont Saint Michelle in October, Disneyland Paris later this year, the Eurobus tour, and many other little trips in between! Already my family has taken me to Brussels and all over the north of France.
My family speaks to me entirely in french, It's very rare I say more than a sentence of English in a day. At school, everything is entirely french, I talk to all of my friends in french, take notes in french, and will eventually have to give presentations and take my tests in french. It was scary at first! But fortunately I'm coming along very well, those six years of studying helped me start with a solid foundation and I can proudly say within this month I've improved the equivalent of what feels like a year of school. I can have fluid conversations with my friends, understand 75% of what my philosophy teacher is saying, and I'm beginning to be able to read light literature. That's huge! And large steps toward my goal of overall fluency.
I've learned a lot about french culture, and expanded my world view with all new ideas of how to approach things.
On the Rotary side of participation, I've already been to a meeting, set up meetings with two other french architects that are a part of the club, discussed with my counselor about future opportunities such as an internship in France through Rotary, and perhaps most excitingly, met all of the other 20 exchange students here in France with me. They're from all six continents, massively different cultures and schools, and they're all endlessly interesting. We've been able to share so much about ourselves and the way the world is where we live.
I can say that as of today, a month later, I look at the world entirely differently. It's much bigger, much brighter, and somehow much more approachable. If this is the feeling after only a month, I can't imagine what's waiting for me in these next nine.
OCTOBER 1 THRU NOVEMBER 1, SUBMIT YOUR GRANT APPLICATIONS!
(yes, we're giving away money!!!)
Dr. Tim Steele, President of the OP Rotary Foundation, reminds us that its that time of year to consider your favorite charities and offer them a grant application to submit for this year's distributions of funds. Certain parameters exist, and Tim will be making further announcements in the meantime. But you can review/ download the Foundation Grant Application byCLICKING HERE.
SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ARE CELEBRATING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 6 12!!
BIRTHDAYS
Don Steiner Oct. 8
ANNIVERSARIES
Trent & Elizabeth Dansel 7 yrs, Dean & Sue Dyer 37 yrs, David & Kristi Stallings 20 yrs, and member Kristi & spouse David Stallings, who conveniently were reported on ClubRunner as having married the same day. (good planning!)
