Ann Syrett, middle, with Past District Governor Ron Lucas, who served as her counselor during her scholarship year, and David Riley, president of the Rotary Club of Newcastle-under-Lyme
By Ann Syrett, former Ambassadorial Scholar and member of the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town, British Virgin Islands
In April, I paid an emotional visit to the Rotary Club of Newcastle-under-Lyme that had hosted my Ambassadorial Scholarship more than 40 years ago while I attended Keele University in North Staffordshire, England.
As I shared my experiences with them, I reflected upon how much the experience had changed my life. I grew up in Astoria, Oregon, and the cultural differences between small town USA and Keele University were immense. I was delighted by the warmth of my welcome and at the opportunity to speak to 35 Rotary clubs, Round Table clubs (an association of young business professionals founded by a British Rotarian in the 1920s), and similar organizations during my year. It gave me the confidence to pursue a career as a diplomat.
After my scholarship year, I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Master’s degree in West African history and economics. I signed up with the U.S. Foreign Service and spent …read more
Source:: Rotary International Blog
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