The Alumni Association of Rotary District 1210
Oklahoma and Kansas 2008
Annica Goddard
When the opportunity arose to spend 4 weeks travelling through Kansas and Oklahoma I was so excited. The trip provided so many learning opportunities on numerous levels I could waffle on about it for days! However I’ll keep it brief and try to list my highlights.
Firstly from a professional prospective being a medic and having the chance to compare and contrast our different health care systems was a wonderful eye opener. Through the Rotarians we stayed with I got to visit numerous hospitals, health clinics, elderly care homes, hospices and much more. The stark contrast of the American private insurance providing prompt access to the best technology and facilities versus the uninsured receiving extremely limited health care made me return feeling proud of the NHS and the organisation I work for.
Culturally visiting part of America that is generally off the beaten tourist track was brilliant. My lasting memories include the immense size of everything, the vast space and the isolation of some of the more rural areas. The acres and acres of farmland, crops, number of cattle and size of factories was overwhelming. We had the opportunity to tour many different industries from those in rural areas to more populated regions which really gave us an eye opener into the economy of the area.
Our trip involved moving from town to town and family to family every 2-3 days throughout the Rotary district. The friendliness, warmth and welcome we received from everyone was just amazing. The four weeks seemed to pass as a blur as we were kept so busy. Stamina is a must!
Personally the experience helped me build confidence. Being away from home for a month with people who you have only just met in the preceding months is daunting. I can certainly say I have built lasting and marvellous friendships amongst my fellow GSEers! The fear of public speaking also had to be conquered and the best way to do this is delivering presentations to large groups on an almost daily basis.
It certainly was an experience of a life time. Through Rotary my eyes were opened to a different culture and I was given opportunities that just do not arise when visiting a country as a tourist.
Firstly from a professional prospective being a medic and having the chance to compare and contrast our different health care systems was a wonderful eye opener. Through the Rotarians we stayed with I got to visit numerous hospitals, health clinics, elderly care homes, hospices and much more. The stark contrast of the American private insurance providing prompt access to the best technology and facilities versus the uninsured receiving extremely limited health care made me return feeling proud of the NHS and the organisation I work for.
Culturally visiting part of America that is generally off the beaten tourist track was brilliant. My lasting memories include the immense size of everything, the vast space and the isolation of some of the more rural areas. The acres and acres of farmland, crops, number of cattle and size of factories was overwhelming. We had the opportunity to tour many different industries from those in rural areas to more populated regions which really gave us an eye opener into the economy of the area.
Our trip involved moving from town to town and family to family every 2-3 days throughout the Rotary district. The friendliness, warmth and welcome we received from everyone was just amazing. The four weeks seemed to pass as a blur as we were kept so busy. Stamina is a must!
Personally the experience helped me build confidence. Being away from home for a month with people who you have only just met in the preceding months is daunting. I can certainly say I have built lasting and marvellous friendships amongst my fellow GSEers! The fear of public speaking also had to be conquered and the best way to do this is delivering presentations to large groups on an almost daily basis.
It certainly was an experience of a life time. Through Rotary my eyes were opened to a different culture and I was given opportunities that just do not arise when visiting a country as a tourist.
Oklahoma & Kansas
Hayley Goodwin
In October 2008 I was fortunate enough to earn myself a place on the Group Study Exchange (GSE) trip to Oklahoma and Kansas. I first found out about the Exchange through a local professional networking group, Future Finest.
I was sponsored by my local club, Blythe Bridge, to travel with 4 other young professionals and learn more about how the legal system works there. The exchange was a great opportunity for me to meet and work with fellow lawyers from the American Midwest.
I had eight vocational days working with several US law firms and in house departments of different sizes, and also spent some time with a college professor from the Friends University in Wichita. It was a valuable learning experience. I had gone out to America with the belief that the US legal system is perhaps now beginning set the agenda for developments in the English legal system. As a result of my experience on the exchange, I concluded that in fact the US really is an offshoot of ours which is developing in its own way. This may however be indicative of the part of America that I visited.
Either way, it’s a fabulous experience, and I would recommend that anyone interested in GSE submits their application!
I was sponsored by my local club, Blythe Bridge, to travel with 4 other young professionals and learn more about how the legal system works there. The exchange was a great opportunity for me to meet and work with fellow lawyers from the American Midwest.
I had eight vocational days working with several US law firms and in house departments of different sizes, and also spent some time with a college professor from the Friends University in Wichita. It was a valuable learning experience. I had gone out to America with the belief that the US legal system is perhaps now beginning set the agenda for developments in the English legal system. As a result of my experience on the exchange, I concluded that in fact the US really is an offshoot of ours which is developing in its own way. This may however be indicative of the part of America that I visited.
Either way, it’s a fabulous experience, and I would recommend that anyone interested in GSE submits their application!
