Rotary hosts international guests

Hillsboro area Rotarians opened their homes to six visitors from the Netherlands this week, through a Rotary International exchange program. 

The group of young professionals in their 20s were accompanied by a team leader and toured several areas throughout Ohio. 

The group met Tuesday morning at the Highland County Family YMCA and discussed what they have learned about the United States and Ohio during their tour. 

Wieteke van Hunnik, who works in the field of business communications and real estate, said that after spending several days in more urban areas the rural hills of Highland County was a beautiful change in landscape. 

"What beautiful land. It's like being in the Scottish Highlands or the south of France," she said. 

While in the area, they toured financial institutions, McClain High School and Hillsboro High School, Highland District Hospital and Adena Area Medical Center in Greenfield, and Amish areas.

"The people are different here than in the city," said Harmen Hummel, an RN. "Not better or worse, but different. The people are more laid back. Everyone in the city is so hasty and busy."

"It feels like a tight community," said Maaike Appeldoorn, a who works as a researcher in the production of bioethanol. Appeldoorn said she was able to tour an ethanol facility, and "a lot of corn in the fields."

"There are a lot of social services. It seems like people take care of each other," said Sabine Philips. 

"Everyone knows everyone," said Theo Kok, the team leader who was an educator and retired community college administrator. "I was impressed by the schools, as an educator."

"It has been a real pleasure for us to act as a host," said Rocky Coss, whose family was a host to Appeldoorn. "(The Netherlands) district did a great job in selecting a great group of young people." 

During the weekly Hillsboro Rotary meeting, held at the Ponderosa Banquet Center, the group addressed area Rotary members, speaking about themselves and their lives in the Netherlands, their experiences in Ohio, and their impressions of the United States.