Thursday, May 31st, 2012

Steve, Allen, Cara, and Kristi all met at 5:30 a.m. this morning to leave for Stockholm.  Blake, because of his commitment to Edsbyn's soccer team, stayed in Northern Sweden.  Steve is headed back to the United States today, while Allen, Cara, and Kristi are all headed to Germany to continue their travels around Europe.  


We know that it is going to take some time for us to all process what a fabulous experience this last month has been.  We also know that there is no way for us to fully express the gratitude we feel toward the multitude of people who have not only made this trip possible, but who have made it one of the most valuable and positive experiences of our lives.  


We would like to thank Rotary International for the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.  This trip would not have been possible without the diligence of both GSE chairpersons, John Gibbons (District #6460, United States) and Mari Zidén (District #2330, Sweden).  Our deepest gratitude goes to District Governors, Gordon Jumper (District #6460, United States) and Catharina Hedin (District #2330, Sweden) as well as to the Rotary Clubs of Edwardsville, Jacksonville and Macomb for sponsoring our team's leader and members.  Cara, Kristi, and Allen thank District 7 Superintendent, Dr. Ed Hightower, Assistant Superintendents, Nancy Spina and Dr. Linda Andre, as well as Edwardsville High School principal, Dennis Cramsey for allowing us to take advantage of this opportunity and making arrangements for our absences.  A special thank you to alternate team leader, Marcia Bullis, and alternate team member, Rachel Harris, for their hard work and support during this entire process. Thank you to Ulrica Bateman who translated from English to Swedish all the information for both our brochure and photo book.  We also appreciate local businesses and organizations who donated items for us to share with the people of Sweden. Further, we are indebted to the Swedish GSE team and all of the people who hosted us, fed us, transported us, took us on tours, taught us, and shared their lives with us.  We sincerely thank those of you who took the time and energy to be with us and make our time spent in Sweden one that we will never forget.  




It has been a pleasure to write the entries for this blog.  If you notice any corrections or omissions that should be addressed, please contact Cara Lane at clane@ecusd7.org.  Thanks to Allen Duncan for setting up the blog address and the April page and to Steve Hopper for sharing so many photos.  

Cara Working on the Blog at Jan and Susanne's House in Borlänge

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

No one can believe that this is our last full day with the Group Study Exchange.   We took full advantage of the day starting with individualized morning activities.  We gave our last presentation at the Läkerol Arena (home to the Brynäs IF ice hockey team) to a combined audience of the Valbo and Gävle Forsbacka Rotary Clubs.  


In the afternoon, we took a tour of the The Prison Museum of Sweden. Our awesome tour was led by City Rotary Club member and Prison Museum Project Manager, Katarina Kallings.      


We had a wonderful meal and many "skoals," or Swedish toasts, during our farewell dinner.  It was a full day and we left late in the night, although, it was still somewhat light at 11 p.m.  We all had to get to bed so that we could rest before rising early the next day for our departure.  

GSE Team Leaders Steve Hopper (USA) and Mari Zidén (Sweden)

The Team after Our Farewell Dinner

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

It was an early morning for us as we had a breakfast presentation with the City Rotary Club.  At 9 a.m. we took a tour of the University of Gävle.  The Gefle Rotary Club heard our presentation this afternoon, and the team then split up for a variety of individualized activities.  

The Gävle Concert House, Home to the Gävle Symphony Orchestra

The Five Musical Geniuses is by Swedish Sculpture Carl Milles

Monday, May 28th, 2012

The team members were all involved with a variety of activities this morning.  After giving a presentation to the Brynäs Tre Ankare Rotary Club, we spent the afternoon on a boat tour and then had a free evening.  

Blake, Allen, and Cara on the Baltic Sea Boat Tour

Sunday, May 27th, 2012

The weather could not have been more perfect for our visit to one of Sweden's Naturums, or National Parks.  We were given a tour in the nature center about the local wildlife and geography before we were able to explore the grounds a bit.  Our driver, Hans, then took us to his family's summer home where we had lunch made over a camp fire and played croquette.

The Team at the Naturum

Allen, Blake, Kristi, and Cara all went back that evening to Sandviken to watch their soccer team play Uppsala.

Saturday, May 26th, 2012

Today was not nearly as busy as the rest of our days.  Kristi did tour the Art Studio in Old Town and Steve went to the Asunda Folk Music Festival before the team met in the early evening to travel to the neighboring town of Sandviken (the literal translation would be something like "sandy beach").  There, we all participated in a classic American car parade.  That's right, Swedes have a particular affinity for American muscle cars from the 50s and 60s.

The Asunda Folk Music Festival

Steve and Kristi with the Ghost Town Cruisers 

This was also the last night for Eurovision.  The contestant from Sweden, Loreen, took home the grand prize.  She is the fourth contestant from Sweden to do this (ABBA won with "Waterloo" in 1974).  Sweden will, as a result of Loreen's win, host Eurovision in 2013.

Friday, May 25th, 2012

Steve spent his morning discussing management structure, public vs. private care, regulations, and funding with a member of the County Council of Gävleborg.  Cara and Kristi had a meeting with the director of the Swedish School System for the municipality of Gävle while Blake spent the morning with his host family.  


We gave our first presentation to one of the six Rotary clubs in the city, the Gävle Södra Rotary Club.  After getting a bit of free time to explore the area in the afternoon, we all met at Blake's host family's home for a reception before having a lovely dinner at Forsbacka Wärdshus.  

Gävle Rotarians and the Team Celebrate

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

It was a busy morning for all team members today.  Steve visited with representatives from the Gävle Elderly Care while Kristi visted the painter Johan Thunberg.  Blake, Cara, and Allen all had schools to visit.  Blake went to Prolympia (an elementary school) and then had the opportunity to participate in the youth soccer practice later that night.  Allen observed the Stora Sätraskolan (elementary school) while Cara went to the Vasaskolan (a local high school).  Later that afternoon Cara, Steve, Kristi, and Blake visited the Swedish Railway Museum.   

The Swedish Railway Museum

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

We transfered today from Borlänge to the city of Gävle.  Upon our arrival we were given information about this municipality and we joined the Gävle Forsbacka Rotary Club for lunch.  We were given a tour of the city before meeting our host families and spending the evening with them.  

The Gävle Forsbacka Rotary Club

The Team with the City of Gävle in the Background