Sunday, June 7, 2009

Rotary Scholarship

I have known for quite some time that I would want to pursue my graduate degree at an international institution. While I found my American education to be of high caliber and think that GW provided me with unique growth opportunities, my perspective would be very skewed if I continued in the field of international relations but limited myself to experiences and information filtered through the US, its media and institutions. Americans, while representing the gamete of beliefs and ideologies, are still deeply influenced by their "American-ness". That is preciously why I decided to study abroad in Cuba my junior year, which never fails to amaze/shock/horrify others when I tell them. It was one of the most interesting experiences of my life because for so long I had only learned about the American-Cuban conflict from one perspective. I left Havana with a deeper belief in the need for questioning ideas and events and not settling for information at face value.

I was attracted to the London School of Economics specifically because of its reputation as an international institution- resting in the heart of London and representing students from every corner of the earth; I knew my perspectives and belief system would be challenged there, potentially to the points of discomfort at times. I am eager to begin my graduate degree in Development Studies this upcoming fall and be back in an academic setting, studying, debating ideas and in my case, pulling all-nighters writing papers, which has been known to happen on several occasions at GW.

I feel equally as fortunate that I will be pursuing my degree with the support of the Rotary Foundation through its Ambassadorial Scholarship. Rotary International was founded in 1905 to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. I love the organization's motto, "They profit most who serve best". The obvious takeaway from it is how much we ourselves benefit from serving others. However it is the second part that caught my attention- it isn't about serving "the most" or "the longest" but about serving "the best"- meaning serving effectively and in a manner that meets the recipient of this service at his/her needs. This lesson was one which I deeply learned this year while working in Israel and Australia to help entrepreneurs bring the Teach For America model to their country. I had to remind myself at various junctures that my role is about meeting them at their needs and helping them effectively adapt the program to the realities of the local context. The Rotary Foundation too enables its member to provide service in a strategic and streamlined way so that they can best meet the needs of the local communities they serve. I have been so impressed with the work of the Rotary Foundation and the commitment of its members thus far. I hope to spend quality time this summer getting to know the members of my sponsoring chapter, Hopkins District 5950. In the fall I will meet my fellow scholars at the Rotary LINK weekend in Leicester, England.

For more information on Rotary, please visit http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/TheRotaryFoundation/Pages/ridefault.aspx.

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