Overseas Scholars visit Ascot Race Course

The Rotary Club of Ascot took the opportunity to invite 8 international scholars to the first meeting of the flat season at Ascot Racecourse on 29^th of April. These young people from many countries are all undertaking post-graduate courses at Reading or Oxford Universities and are sponsored through Rotary Scholarships under what is the world’s largest privately funded scholarship system, with around 800 places available annually.

One of the aims of the Rotary scholarship programme is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas, and this afternoon at the races was most certainly an opportunity to learn more about the traditions and culture of the racing society in Britain. As one of the scholars described the day – “It is a very ‘English’ event”.

John Blake, head of Sales and Marketing at Ascot Racecourse, who kindly donated the admission tickets for the scholars, said “We are pleased to be able to work with the Rotary organisation in their educational programme and to offer what must be a ‘first time experience’ for many of these visiting international scholars.“

The scholars with John Blake (right) head of Sales and Marketing at Ascot Racecourse. Full line-up, l to r Lauren Segedin (Canada), Johannes Schmidt (Germany), Caterina Doglioni (Italy), Amanda Stone (USA), Paolo Camiletti (Italy), Matt Warsaw (USA), Lindsay Terrell (USA), Keilah Jacques (USA), John Blake, Ascot Racecourse.

After the racing, the scholars took a short break at the house of Rotary Club President David Marshall, before continuing on to the Club meeting in the evening, where three of them gave presentations on their national backgrounds, and their experiences in the scholarship programme.