3 Reasons Why Rotary Meetings are Better Than Any University Class…
April 17, 2009
Meeting the former US Ambassador to the CR in at Rotary in September
Just returned from today’s meeting of the Prague International Rotary Club. I usually attend their meetings 1-2 times each month, and each time I leave, I’m struck with this realization:
In the past seven months, I’ve found Rotary meetings to be a more valuable educational experience than 4 years of university studies. Here are three reasons why:
1) Professional networking: I get the opportunity to rub elbows with some of Prague’s finest leaders in business, law, politics, academia, etc. They often give me priceless real-world, down-to-earth advice I never get in a university setting. Some members have also become good friends.
2) The real world as my classroom: During this interesting time of (a) economic crisis and (b) the Czech government’s presidency of the EU, I feel so lucky to be a fly on the wall during discussions about these topics. How many students can say they have such an opportunity? Unlike in the classroom where discussions are primarily theoretical – I get the chance to soak in the opinions of seasoned Prague professionals. Forget hypotheticals and academic theories – give me the real world!
3) Amazing guest speakers: The guest speakers at these meetings range from business leaders to ambassadors! So far, I’ve learned about EU relations from the point of view of the American, Peruvian and Swiss ambassadors! Amazing, no?
Anyway, this is yet another reason I want to thank Rotary for presenting me with this scholarship. What an invaluable educational experience!
THANK YOU ROTARY!
