Hello Everyone!

I am back many years later to tell you the truth.

The truth is my year spent in Taiwan was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life. That year propelled me forward and gave me the confidence to continue to learn languages and travel the world. I learned so many great lessons about the world while in Taiwan. I saw so much beauty. I changed my perspectives and grew so much. I wasn't just an ambassador for that one year. I remain one. Whenever I interact with anyone in a global setting I remember my role as an ambassador and I really look into my heart with every step I take.

I want to explain, Rotary is an incredible organization. Once I returned from Taiwan, I continued to work with my local Rotary Club. I volunteered helping out for several events including an annual carnival. And now that I am a bit older I am in the process of joining Rotaract Club. I'd love to one day help out with the exchange program too.

I wasn't the typical Rotary Exchange Student because I wasn't actually from a family of Rotary members. And my district hadn't even done an exchange in decades! The local exchange program was basically shut down and I had no connection to Rotary at all. But I took it upon myself to meet with the Rotary in Trumbull, CT and I told them it was my dream go on an exchange. And they allowed me to revive the program. After me they remained involved in the program. I was given a priceless gift from my local Rotary Club, but I like to think I gave them something of a gift too in sharing my love and passion for cross-cultural exchange -something I have remained heavy involved in, in both my personal and professional life. Now that I am an adult, I can't help but to smile at the memory of 17 year old me pitching this idea to a room full of people I didn't know at all and actually accomplishing my goal, but that's what happened. And I'm grateful beyond words.

Rotary Youth Exchange is a program that is worth its weight in gold. It's priceless and so many generations before us have worked to make it the program it is today. It's my job, all of our jobs really, to insure that this program continues to grow and continues to honor those who have worked on it in the past, as well as to secure it for those who will come after us. 

I truly believe that international exchange is not only life changing on the individual level, but it changes the world. This sort of cross-cultural exchange makes it possible for all of us, as global human beings to understand one another better and to improve the world through cooperation and common good.  

I don't claim to have all the answers, but I can say with absolute commitment that international exchange is my passion and since my original trip to Taiwan, I have traveled much of the world (including going back to Taiwan) and even have hosted international students and professionals from all over the world for many years now.

That being said, there is always room for improvement. When it comes to international relations nothing is black and white. However, we need to find a way to provide more training, -especially sensitivity training. We need to figure out not only how to conduct exchange, but how to open our hearts. Above all, we need to remember we all are in this together. We are all working for the same thing.

For more information about this, feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to be more exact.