
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 5, 1990                   TAG: 9004040210
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV9   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

INTERNATIONAL ROTARY VISITORS GET A LOOK AT NEW RIVER VALLEY

The Rotary Club of Blacksburg welcomed four business and professional men from Argentina this week as part of the international Rotary Foundation's Group Study Exchange Program.

The program strive to improve undertandling among people through exchanges teams of individuals ages 25-35 for six-week visits.

"This is such a valuable tool to promote peace," said Rotarian John Skelton, who was a team leader for an exchange group that traveled to Australia in 1987. "It's an excellent way for individuals to meet and experience another cultural."

The visitors observe their hosts' way of life and study the host nation's economy and culture through travel and discussions. They also have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts.

This week's Argentine visitors are Alejandro Gonzalez Romeri, a petroleum engineer; Ricardo Daniel Aszenmil, an electronic engineer; Alejandro Perez Chada, a lawyer; and Carlos Maria Doartero, a doctor.

To reciprocate the visit, Rotary District 757, which includes the Rotary Club of Blacksburg, selected two representatives for teams going to Argentina and England.

Gary Larrows of Woodlawn, an agricultural extension agent for Carroll County, will travel to Argentina this month. Barbara Board of Blacksburg, an extension specialist at Virginia Tech, will travel to England in June.

Blacksburg Rotary President Dave Reemsnyder said members arranged such activities for their guests as visits to Virginia Tech, Radford University, Volvo GMC Heavy Truck Corp., Montgomery County schools, Poly Scientific, and local town and county governments as well as to various business and community leaders.

Skelton said area business people "graciously consented to taking Argentinian counterparts for a full day" Tuesday, which included work in an optometrist's office and rounds with a local lawyer.

The exchange teams will be available to talk to interested groups and churches when the program is finished.

Skelton said more than 10,000 persons from 147 countries have participated in the program since its inception in 1965.

by CNB