international friendship
Rotary group welcomes professionals from other areas of world
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Local rotarians will learn and foster the idea of international friendships when a group of Swedish and Latvian professionals spend the next few days with Fairfield host families.
Fairfield Rotarian Bob Jung is one of five host families of the group touring Rotary clubs around the region, visiting as far north as Huber Heights and as far south as Cincinnati.
Extras
"The whole objective is to sponsor international goodwill and understanding, and because we are a business-based organization and learn about their field in another country," said Jung, coordinator of the group study exchange for the Fairfield club.
Only one of the Swedish and Latvian visitors is a Rotarian, said Jung, who works at Lenox Wealth Management, an investment adviser company. The rest may not have any affiliation to Rotary, an international service organization.
"I think we got more out of this activity, event than most of the things we do, other the things with the kids," said Rotary president Chris Kendall.
What is learned in group exchanges is how people from different cultures and countries approach their profession, he said.
"We learn about how people from different cultures react and interact with one another on a personal level," Kendall said.
This is the second time in as many years the Fairfield club has participated in the Fairfield Group Study Exchange program, after having not participated in a number of years, Jung said.
"(We) thought it would be something informative and useful for the club to get involved in," Jung said.
Last year the club hosted a group from Japan.
Rotarian Kerry Beeber is hosting Baiba Milzaraza of Latvia, a choir conductor. She wanted to host a visitor to learn as well as expose her two children — Kyle, 6, and Erin, 3 — to a person from a different country and culture.
Beeber said Kyle is really excited.
"He's all worried how it's going to work," she said about how they will accommodate their guest.
Having someone from a different country and culture live with you is not only a rare opportunity, but "is the most direct way to get to know somebody."
The visiting group will be picked up by Fairfield club members at noon today, April 24.
The group will tour regional tourist attractions, spend time with host families and those within their respective vocations, attend the Rotary District 6670 Conference and attend a symphony concert — all before a farewell party on Sunday, April 27, at the Community Arts Center.
The visitors will then fly home on Monday, April 28.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.
