The Experiment in International Living

Summer Exchange Program

IIn 1958, the Club started participation in the "Experiment in International Living," a summer abroad program for high school students.  In 1932, former Syracuse University personnel director Dr. Donald Watt, dissatisfied with the state of international education, created a revolutionary new cultural immersion program called "The Experiment in International Living."  The Experiment in International

Living has been offering immersive experiential learning programs abroad since 1932. Today, The Experiment offers thirty high school summer abroad programs in 26 countries.

In 1958, our first foreign visitor was Margaret Elizabeth "Liz" Burns from Lancashire, England.

In 1963, the visitor was Miss Giulia Marie Tucci from Italy.

In 1964, the visitor was Miss Gabriele Fruwirth from Austria.

In 1965, the visitor was French mademoiselle, Diana Mary Flateau.

In 1966, the visitor was Miss Yasuko Hasoda from Japan.

In 1967, the visitor was Miss Maria Caprioli of Italy.

In 1967, there was a special program and dinner to which Lancaster Rotarians were invited which was held at the Lancaster Country Club around the time of Caprioli' s visit. The purpose of the dinner was to recognize and honor Dr. Donald B. Watt, founder of the Experiment in International Living and Rotarian Dave Watts' uncle.

In 1968, the visitor was from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Miss Hilda Barcos.

In 1969, the visitor was Miss Christiane Vermeulen, of Brussels, Belgium. Vermeulen, our Experiment visitor, addressed the Club in September. She gave us her impressions of our country and of our community.

She said she is currently studying to be a physician. Vermeulen's visit with Lancaster Rotary was a mutually gratifying experience. In October, our Club received a plaque from the Experiment in International Living commemorating the Club's participation for the past eight years. Attached to the plaque were nameplates for each of the ambassadors who had been Club guests during that period.

In 1970, the visitor was Patricia Gale from England. Gale had a special attachment to Rotary, as her father was president of the Rotary Club in her hometown of Ilfracombe, Devon.

In 1971, the visitor was a charming young lady from Mexico, Alicia Ruiz.

In 1972, the visitor was Erica Ziani of Genoa, Italy.

In 1973, the visitor was Marie-Odile Benard of Paris, France.

In 1974, the visitor was a lovely young Fraulein from Germany, Aleke Schemmert.

In 1976, the visitor was Miss Marie Zurfluh from Switzerland.

In 1977, the visitor was a charming senorita from Spain, Laura Lamadrid.

In 1978, the visitor was Miss Yoshiko Oguchi from Japan.

In 1979, the visitor was a delightful young lady from Milan, Italy, Giovanna Nicodano.

In 1980, the visitor was Christina Horner of Sweden.

In 1980, the Club switched from the summer program of "The Experiment in International Living" to the school-year based program of the Rotary International Youth Exchange.

                  [https://www.experiment.org/ ]

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