We changed 3 planes to arrive to Detroit. Izmir to Munich, Munich to Chicago and Detroit. It was a hard trip but in the end there was a great surprise for us.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
DESTINATION DETROIT
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GÖKŞİN AKÇALI
I am Goksin Akcali, team leader of GSE team from D-2440. I have last visited USA in 1991, some 18 years after my AFS exchange year in Iowa. I am looking forward to visiting this country again and I am very excited to be able to see a bit of Canada and Canadian culture.
I have joined Rotary in 2002, I served as club presindent in 2006-2007. Ever since my exchange year, I have been involved in youth Exchange programs, I started doing voluntary work for AFS as a returnee, then for Rotary in club and district level. I am now assigned as Youth Exchange Chairman in 2008-2009 term.
My main vocation is finance and risk management. I started to work for the Turkish Air Force as technical translator while I was doing my Mba. Later on, I joined Citibank and worked for the corporate banking for about 10 years. Then, I joined General Motors Turkiye and served as their Treasurer for ten years. After closing of the factory, I retired. I started to renovate old Greek houses in a village called Alacati near Cesme, famous summer resort of Izmir.
However, I could not stay away from the hectic tempo of the business life for long, I went back to full time work, as Finance Manager of an Italian automotive company, currently I am working part time as the member of the new business development group of a large holding company in Izmir and I am board member of a construction company in the same holding. I am also member of the NGO for promoting Izmir for Expo 2015. Our rival is Milan! If Izmir is chosen, we will have the 2015 expositions in Izmir with theme as “health and clean environment for all”. When I wrote these lines, there are only 45 days left to the finals. I do hope that my town wins this competition.
I was raised in small farming community not far away from Izmir. I have a sister, who is a neurologist, happily married to a brain surgeon. Me? I cannot even stand looking at blood J Considering most of my closest relatives are either doctors or lawyers, I am the black sheep of the family, doing the “Money” work.
I am divorced, have no children of mine but I have a nice and nephew whom I adore. Furthermore, I have many children from all over the world through my volunteer exchange work. I went to Brazil three years ago and visited my Brazilian daughter Josie, it was very nice to hear her still talking in Turkish. I hope to be able to attend her wedding as well when the time comes.
In my spare time, I write short stories, read a lot, try to exercise (mainly walking) and draw in black and white. Ah, I also happen to have a passion for travelling. So far, I have visited most of the European countries, Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Sri-Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal and Bhutan. I hope to travel to Machu-Pichu this fall.
What attracted me to Rotary at the beginning was the 4-way test..
Of the things we think, say or do,
Is is true?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?Through this GSE, I hope to achieve this test, that it will build goodwill and better friendship, and that it will be beneficial to all concerned.
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I have joined Rotary in 2002, I served as club presindent in 2006-2007. Ever since my exchange year, I have been involved in youth Exchange programs, I started doing voluntary work for AFS as a returnee, then for Rotary in club and district level. I am now assigned as Youth Exchange Chairman in 2008-2009 term.
My main vocation is finance and risk management. I started to work for the Turkish Air Force as technical translator while I was doing my Mba. Later on, I joined Citibank and worked for the corporate banking for about 10 years. Then, I joined General Motors Turkiye and served as their Treasurer for ten years. After closing of the factory, I retired. I started to renovate old Greek houses in a village called Alacati near Cesme, famous summer resort of Izmir.
However, I could not stay away from the hectic tempo of the business life for long, I went back to full time work, as Finance Manager of an Italian automotive company, currently I am working part time as the member of the new business development group of a large holding company in Izmir and I am board member of a construction company in the same holding. I am also member of the NGO for promoting Izmir for Expo 2015. Our rival is Milan! If Izmir is chosen, we will have the 2015 expositions in Izmir with theme as “health and clean environment for all”. When I wrote these lines, there are only 45 days left to the finals. I do hope that my town wins this competition.
I was raised in small farming community not far away from Izmir. I have a sister, who is a neurologist, happily married to a brain surgeon. Me? I cannot even stand looking at blood J Considering most of my closest relatives are either doctors or lawyers, I am the black sheep of the family, doing the “Money” work.
I am divorced, have no children of mine but I have a nice and nephew whom I adore. Furthermore, I have many children from all over the world through my volunteer exchange work. I went to Brazil three years ago and visited my Brazilian daughter Josie, it was very nice to hear her still talking in Turkish. I hope to be able to attend her wedding as well when the time comes.
In my spare time, I write short stories, read a lot, try to exercise (mainly walking) and draw in black and white. Ah, I also happen to have a passion for travelling. So far, I have visited most of the European countries, Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Sri-Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal and Bhutan. I hope to travel to Machu-Pichu this fall.
What attracted me to Rotary at the beginning was the 4-way test..
Of the things we think, say or do,
Is is true?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?Through this GSE, I hope to achieve this test, that it will build goodwill and better friendship, and that it will be beneficial to all concerned.
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AYCAN ÖZERTAY
Hello, I am Aycan ÖZERTAY, one of the team members from D-2440..
I have graduated from Aegean University Chemical Engineering Department in 1996, and I have been working in SCA-Selkasan as Chief of Planning and Quality Systems. SCA-Selkasan is one of the companies in Çukurova Holding and Çukurova is the third biggest holding group in Türkiye. Selkasan is producing containerboard and has 49% joint venture with SCA. SCA is one of the leaders of worldwide containerboard/paper producers.
I was born in İzmir in 1972. I’m single and I live in İzmir with my family. My father is a retired surgeon and my mother is a retired teacher. I have a sister who is an architect, married with a medical doctor, and they have a daughter who is 4 years old, a very sweet little girl.
I like listening to music, especially jazz, fado and latin sounds.Also, reading, watching movies and painting are my hobbies. I’m very interested in cooking. Travelling is a passion for me, I have visited some European countries and this is the first time for the USA-Canada, so I’m very excited about this visit. I believe that this program will be an unbelievable experience for me.
I have graduated from Aegean University Chemical Engineering Department in 1996, and I have been working in SCA-Selkasan as Chief of Planning and Quality Systems. SCA-Selkasan is one of the companies in Çukurova Holding and Çukurova is the third biggest holding group in Türkiye. Selkasan is producing containerboard and has 49% joint venture with SCA. SCA is one of the leaders of worldwide containerboard/paper producers.
I was born in İzmir in 1972. I’m single and I live in İzmir with my family. My father is a retired surgeon and my mother is a retired teacher. I have a sister who is an architect, married with a medical doctor, and they have a daughter who is 4 years old, a very sweet little girl.
I like listening to music, especially jazz, fado and latin sounds.Also, reading, watching movies and painting are my hobbies. I’m very interested in cooking. Travelling is a passion for me, I have visited some European countries and this is the first time for the USA-Canada, so I’m very excited about this visit. I believe that this program will be an unbelievable experience for me.
OZAN ÇARGA
I am Ozan CARGA, one of the team members from D-2440. I haven’t visited USA or Canada before , I am very excited to be able to see USA and Canada.
I have joined Rotaract in 2005, I served as club secretary in 2006-2007. I am the vice president recently.
I graduated from Yildiz Technical University as a civil engineer. After I finished my military service, I was working in Istanbul when my family decided to move to Bodrum, a nice town at southwest . One year later, I decided to work in my family company based on steel construction building. We work together now. My father is an arcihtect, my mohter is an interior desinger, my brother and his wife is a city planner. Also my uncle is with us and he’s an economist.
Best side of Bodrum is, you can spend time for sport, cultural activities and associations like Rotaract. Bodrum is a really big town. I am also a member of Bodrum Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Consultative Committee, Bodrum Peninsula Businessmen and Industrialist Society. I like to be active in social life so much.
I play guitar and sing. We have a band. We’ve been working hard to sing in a rockbar this summer. Besides I am very interested in photography. One of my aims is, to hold an exhibition in Bodrum.
I am single. I have a home mate. We like to watch movies with friends too much. Music, cinema and soccer mean too much for me. I always try to watch all new good films, try to listen new music albums and try to watch soccer games on TV.
I monhtly read National Geogprahic, Cinema and PCNET magazines.
I have a passion for travelling but I couldnt make it real until now. I hope this journey will be a start point for me.
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I have joined Rotaract in 2005, I served as club secretary in 2006-2007. I am the vice president recently.
I graduated from Yildiz Technical University as a civil engineer. After I finished my military service, I was working in Istanbul when my family decided to move to Bodrum, a nice town at southwest . One year later, I decided to work in my family company based on steel construction building. We work together now. My father is an arcihtect, my mohter is an interior desinger, my brother and his wife is a city planner. Also my uncle is with us and he’s an economist.
Best side of Bodrum is, you can spend time for sport, cultural activities and associations like Rotaract. Bodrum is a really big town. I am also a member of Bodrum Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Consultative Committee, Bodrum Peninsula Businessmen and Industrialist Society. I like to be active in social life so much.
I play guitar and sing. We have a band. We’ve been working hard to sing in a rockbar this summer. Besides I am very interested in photography. One of my aims is, to hold an exhibition in Bodrum.
I am single. I have a home mate. We like to watch movies with friends too much. Music, cinema and soccer mean too much for me. I always try to watch all new good films, try to listen new music albums and try to watch soccer games on TV.
I monhtly read National Geogprahic, Cinema and PCNET magazines.
I have a passion for travelling but I couldnt make it real until now. I hope this journey will be a start point for me.
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DENIZ ŞURUPÇU
Hi,My name is Deniz and I am 28 years old.After graduating from high school, I had a chance to study finance at Dokuz Eylül Univercity,Faculty of Economıcs.During my unıvercity years I also work different sectors in İzmir as an intern.I have always been interested in other cultures.One year after working as an accountant,I went to London for two years and I enrolled at the Sales & Marketing,Tourism & Travel,İmport & Export Programme at college.This was a unıque experience for me because I lived with English family and I had a chance to observe and experience the vivid social and cultural life of the city.I also seize an oppurtunity and I travelled all European countries and South Africa also.After my return to Türkiye,my desire to work in a more challenging and active working environment made me decide to work at İzmir Princess Hotel as an banquet sales represantative.I am currently working as an banquet and catering sales manager in Altınyunus Thermal Resort in Çeşme.Çeşme is a paradise with turquoise sea,pure white beaches and fantastic panaroma.In my hotel,I am organizing wedding dinners,coctails and wedding ceremonies for my couples and arrange business meeting too.I am losing myself when I am working,this job is definetely suits me,because I am feeling very happy to be a part of their family and organize their most important night for them.I will be very pleased if I could visit the hotels.
I have one sister,she is a sports teacher and also both of my parents are retired sports teachers too. Because of that J I enjoy playing voleyball,playing tennis,swimming etc.Apart from my busy shedule I try to spend most of my free time with social activities and sports.I played voleyball as an professional for 18 years.I am very energetic,sociable and an easygoing person.Besides my sports activities I like to read,going to theater,listen to different cultural music,travelling and making friends from different countries.I travelled a lot but I was wishing to visit USA and Canada.I believe that this great exchange programme will bring us cultural enrichment and enlightment.I look forward to meet and build long term relationships with fellow Rotarians from Canada and USA.
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I have one sister,she is a sports teacher and also both of my parents are retired sports teachers too. Because of that J I enjoy playing voleyball,playing tennis,swimming etc.Apart from my busy shedule I try to spend most of my free time with social activities and sports.I played voleyball as an professional for 18 years.I am very energetic,sociable and an easygoing person.Besides my sports activities I like to read,going to theater,listen to different cultural music,travelling and making friends from different countries.I travelled a lot but I was wishing to visit USA and Canada.I believe that this great exchange programme will bring us cultural enrichment and enlightment.I look forward to meet and build long term relationships with fellow Rotarians from Canada and USA.
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HASAN AYVALI
I am Hasan, the member of the GSE team from Türkiye. I was born in 1981. I graduated from the Faculty of Political Sciences of Ankara University. My major is Public Finance. I have been working at Balıkesir University as a research assistant and I continue my master degree at public finance. I study public budget, performance budgeting and public economics.
My father is a retired chief petty officer and my mother is a housewife. In addition to studying public finance, I like reading about philosophy, psychology, personal development and spirituality. I like thinking about the meaning of life. At last I found it! J The meaning of life is to service! Servicing to all living! I joined the Rotary family by rotaract club in this philosophy. I have been an education volunteer at the Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye. I try to explain about democracy, human rights, justice, conflict resolution among people. The students I teach are about 13-14-years-old youngs. In summer I swim and play tennis a lot. In winter, I do tae-bo in the gym. I run in the forest at the weekends.
I am very excited to see the culture and lifestyle of Canadian and American people. I like being with my friends a lot. I do not like technology much. I believe that face to face reationships are much more beter that communication by technology. I live in a small city called Bandırma. I have been to Moscow and Hungary by exchange programmes. I am sure that we will make close relationships in the future, because we are all equal and the pieces of humanity.
My father is a retired chief petty officer and my mother is a housewife. In addition to studying public finance, I like reading about philosophy, psychology, personal development and spirituality. I like thinking about the meaning of life. At last I found it! J The meaning of life is to service! Servicing to all living! I joined the Rotary family by rotaract club in this philosophy. I have been an education volunteer at the Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye. I try to explain about democracy, human rights, justice, conflict resolution among people. The students I teach are about 13-14-years-old youngs. In summer I swim and play tennis a lot. In winter, I do tae-bo in the gym. I run in the forest at the weekends.
I am very excited to see the culture and lifestyle of Canadian and American people. I like being with my friends a lot. I do not like technology much. I believe that face to face reationships are much more beter that communication by technology. I live in a small city called Bandırma. I have been to Moscow and Hungary by exchange programmes. I am sure that we will make close relationships in the future, because we are all equal and the pieces of humanity.