I have lived in the United States for the past 14 years. Initial adjustment was hard, as some of the customs and views were quite different from what I was accustomed. However, as time passed, I began to appreciate and embrace the differences and similarities between both countries and have come to view the United States as the great experiment. Most cultures throughout the world are represented here, of course some more than others. The challenge is how we live together in the spirit of harmony and cooperation. Many countries still have quite homogeneous populations, and are now having to deal with issues of large scale immigration, so they are now starting to deal with some of the challenges that have always faced the United States. As a very young nation, we are still working out some of our problems, we got off on the wrong foot with certain groups (African slaves, Native Americans), but hopefully as we move forward we will begin to further recognize the contributions of these groups to the building of the United States and help those that have been left behind as our country as has sped ahead.
My hopes: Increased understanding and tolerance; community and cooperation; and of course peace and love. One Love
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*Welkom* to our blog! We are the 2008 Group Study Exchange team representing Rotary District 7620 which includes Central Maryland and Washington DC. We will be visiting District 1600, located in the southwestern part of the Netherlands as a part of a professional exchange with members from their district. This exchange is a part of the greater goal of the Rotary Club to promote world peace through the exchange of ideas and the understanding of other cultures. District 1600 includes Rotterdam and The Hague, which are the second and third largest cities in the Netherlands, following Amsterdam. We will be in the Netherlands from April 26 through May 24, during which, we will live with host families, give presentations to several Rotary Clubs and visit vocational sites related to our respective professions. Most of all, we will be immersed in Dutch culture and have many wonderful experiences. We hope you will enjoy reading about our experiences and adventures! *Dank u*
The 2008 GSE Team
Meet the Team
Blog Archive
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2008
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May
(42)
- Speaking of bicycles...
- Until We See You Again
- Final Farewell Party
- Farmer's golf
- Hans...This One is for You :-)
- It's Lonely at the Top
- It's Typical Dutch IV
- Sex and Stuff
- And the Most Frequently Asked Questions Are...
- The Anne Frank House
- It's Typical Dutch III
- Melting Pot
- Less Crime & Less Punishment
- It's Typical Dutch II
- The End of Week Three?
- Deja-Vu Hellevoetsluis
- Containers and More Containers
- April Fools
- Crude
- Tomatoes in Glasshouses
- It's Typical Dutch I
- The GGD (Intermunicipal Health Department)
- Dry Docks
- The Delta Project
- The Dunes
- On the Farm...
- The End of Week Two
- Parliament
- Dinner at the Beach
- Wassenaar Windmill
- The Peace Palace and the International Court of Ju...
- Deja Vu_Wassenaar
- Wassenaar Village Tour
- Bio Science Park at Leiden University
- Rememberance Day (May 4th)
- The Keukenhof
- The End of Week One
- Farewell Delft
- Eykenburg and Limburg Homes for the Aged
- Oude (Old) Delft
- Orange Day in Delft
- Canals Cars Cycles
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May
(42)
Things we've learned so far:
- Toilet: Use the small button unless you need the big button. (Kiiiiiiiim????? How do I flush the toilet?)
- Buttermilk does not work well in coffee...woops.
- Make sure you look at the pictures on the toilet door before entering. We're not saying what happened. Just do it.
- Peanut butter satay sauce is not like spaghetti sauce when on a meatball. Adding pasta to it does not make it better.
- Ask someone what's in the package you're holding before pouring it into your tea.
- Chamber pots are still an option.
- When you stand outside an automated door and nothing happens, assume you're trying to go in the exit.
- Just because there's a handle on a door, it does not mean you're supposed to pull it.
-It's not the size of the glass, it's the amount you pour in it.
-There are at least 18 different ways to flush a toilet.
- Buttermilk does not work well in coffee...woops.
- Make sure you look at the pictures on the toilet door before entering. We're not saying what happened. Just do it.
- Peanut butter satay sauce is not like spaghetti sauce when on a meatball. Adding pasta to it does not make it better.
- Ask someone what's in the package you're holding before pouring it into your tea.
- Chamber pots are still an option.
- When you stand outside an automated door and nothing happens, assume you're trying to go in the exit.
- Just because there's a handle on a door, it does not mean you're supposed to pull it.
-It's not the size of the glass, it's the amount you pour in it.
-There are at least 18 different ways to flush a toilet.
4 comments:
True that.
What was it about your trip that prompted this post?
-Annie A, Rotaractor
In response to Annie A.
There was not one particular experience that prompted me to write this blog. I have very strong feelings for the US, with all is negatives and positives and I wanted to express those feelings in a somewhat public forum. I welcome any comments, good or not so good :-)
-Monique
That's so interesting! After hearing the presentation from the Dutch GSE team, I had some very similar thoughts. I get distracted by the politics and scandalous news stories and sometimes forget about the more important themes described in your post. Reading those thoughts from another person is comforting and makes me optimistic. Thank you!
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