William R. Eubank

Visiting International Professional Program

at Michigan State University

          Our speaker was William Eubank of the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP) at MSU. Fourteen professionals from Korea, China and Taiwan, and who are currently in VIPP, accompanied Mr. Eubank. Their professions included government, education, engineering, business and even landscape architecture.

          Mr. Eubank began his presentation by reviewing last week’s presentation regarding the Community Volunteers for International Programs and encouraging each Rotarian to invite one visitor in to each of our homes. Mr. Eubank said that when he was a child his dad used to invite ”internationals” into their home, and it made a big impact on him. He has been to Argentina, Mexico and many other countries volunteering and has also participated in the Rotary InterDistrict Teacher Exchange (www.RITE-Teacher.com). Our children have international students in their classes but they also need to see international visitors in our homes.

          VIPP was established in 1991 and has had more than 1,000 professionals, primarily from Korea, China and Taiwan. Plans are under way to get other countries involved. Scholars come for short term, 1-3 weeks, one year or long term of up to 3 years for those working on degrees.

          Building relationships between Rotary clubs and these professionals is not only valuable to the foreign visitors and each of us individually, but it will also build a stronger Rotary organization.

          Mr. Eubank reiterated the message of last week—that these international scholars spend a lot of money in our community and yet 85% of them say they have never visited an American home. As Rotarians and members of a global community, we can change that by inviting one of Monday’s guests into our homes. “I hope next week when they come to class they will say they were invited into your homes”, Mr. Eubank encouraged.

          To find out more, visit www.isp.msu.edu/vipp where, if you haven’t already extended an invitation, you can also sign up to host one of these fine professionals.