 |
|
|
|
|
I first learned about Rotary from an article in the local newspaper, which invited readers to apply to a program called Group Study Exchange. My application was the first step in an unforgettable journey that would eventually lead to my becoming a Rotarian.
My first challenge was getting approval from my employer to take a five-week sabbatical to participate in the GSE program. My manager’s initial response was made clear in no uncertain terms: no I could not go to India, and if I escalated the issue to upper management, I would be fired.
Undaunted, I contacted a manager in our London office who was involved in the effort to realign our corporate culture and global business practices in response to intensifying competition from abroad. He recognized the value of training employees through programs such as GSE. In the end, I gained support and respect from my management and colleagues. I also learned that in life the most rewarding endeavors are often the most difficult ones.
When we arrived in India, our host families greeted us like long lost friends. We were adorned with floral garlands, photographed by the local press, and shuttled from one social event to another. The Rotarians of District 3050 welcomed us into their homes and their lives. One family invited me to attend a private ceremony in which a family member gave up all worldly desires to become a Jain priest. Another family invited me to a wedding with over 700 guests. At first I felt out of place, but soon discovered that it took me half an hour to walk from one side of the wedding grounds to the other because I had so many friends to talk to. They all made me feel like part of the family.
Throughout the trip, I had a sense of faith and trust in our hosts knowing that things would always work out for the best. For example, during the five-hour drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, our jeep broke down leaving us stranded on a desolate road in the middle of the Thar dessert near the Pakistan border. Our apprehension proved unwarranted when the first car to pass by stopped to offer help. Inside was Rtn. Mahendra Vayas, the founder of the Jaisalmer rotary club. He had been expecting us and drove out to meet us en route.
Rotarians have a way of making things happen. One day, I asked a Rotarian about the computer industry in his city. He quickly made a few phone calls, scribbled some Hindi on a piece of paper and handed it to me. In no time at all, I was riding on the back of a motor scooter as my driver negotiated the chaotic rush hour traffic in the streets of Ahmedabad, the fifth largest city in India. When we arrived at our destination, I handed that piece of paper to the receptionist, still unaware of what would happen next. Within a half-hour, the Managing Director of the National Institute for Information Technology – India’s premier center for computer science – had canceled his afternoon appointments and invited me to tea with one of his lead engineers.
Rotarians in India are very committed to community service. As a father, I was deeply moved during our visits to the Polio Plus centers and Rotary schools. Rotary is making a huge difference in the lives of millions of children around the world.
My GSE experience exceeded every expectation. In such a short period, I was able to see a side of India and her people that few tourists ever see. One of my great joys upon returning back to the USA has been to talk to my Indian friends at work. After learning so much, I still know so little.
People approach situations from different frames of reference. Understanding these differences is key to effective communication. When one of the team members made an appropriate joke about animals in the streets, the Americans laughed, but the Indians did not understand what was so funny. From their frame of reference, it is quite normal to see many animals in the streets. In fact, after seeing pictures of my house, one Indian even asked me how I keep the animals off of my lawn without a fence. I almost laughed, but caught myself as I realized why Americans can at times seem arrogant to foreigners: we judge by American standards without first understanding their problems.
I learned the hypocrisy of prejudice. It is easy to find fault in the ways of other people without introspection. As Americans, we were saddened by the subjugation of servants but were reminded that family ties in India can often be stronger than in the USA. Children – even teenagers – respect their parents and elders.
The GSE program has had a profound impact on my career. In India, engineers and computer scientists with a Master’s degree and five years of professional experience typically earn less than $200 USD per month. Since products like computer software can be shipped around the world instantly, high tech jobs are now moving overseas to countries like India. Further, at universities and businesses across America, foreign scientists and engineers often outnumber their American counterparts. After thinking about all of this, I have become more involved in education in an effort to encourage Americans to get more involved in technology. I am quick to share my GSE experiences with colleagues and have since started teaching as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of South Florida.
It is difficult to improve on a program that is already outstanding in every way. Our team was blessed with having been received by a district with prior experience hosting GSE teams. Here are some ideas that may help future teams.
The effectiveness of a GSE exchange is directly proportional to the amount of pre-trip planning. It is essential to establish professional contacts and arrange vocational visits well in advance of the trip departure date.
The team should travel lightly and only use high quality, durable luggage. (This point cannot be overemphasized.)
Each time our team met the members of a new Rotary club for the first time, it was a great challenge (and great fun) to remember everyone’s name and life story. The difficulty was due to the diversity of names in our different cultures as well as the number of people we met. In some cities, our hosts had received our biographical brochures in advance. It would help future teams to have biographical information and ideally a picture of each club member before visiting a new club.
Understanding, sharing, and a sense of humor are key to building camaraderie among team members. Future teams may benefit from team-building exercises during the pre-trip meetings.
There are so many people who have touch my life through this program. I am always amazed at the achievements and dedication of Rotarians worldwide. A few people deserve special thanks. Our GSE Chairman, Dennis Viera, was instrumental in making this trip a success. On the day of departure at Tampa International Airport, it was obvious that he was proud of his team. Our Team Leader, Betty Jo Tompkins, was tireless in her effort to further the goals of Rotary and promote goodwill among everyone we met. On more than one occasion, she put the interests of the team ahead of her own. District 6890 could not have found a better Team Leader. I would also like to thank District Governor Jackie Asbury and Rtn. Bill Leonard who encouraged me to join Rotary. I am grateful to all of them for introducing me to Rotary and will always remember with fondness my friends from GSE.