Making connections through the Travel and Hosting Fellowship
Tilak Thapa Magar during a visit to RI World Headquart-
ers in Evanston, Illinois, USA
ers in Evanston, Illinois, USA
By Tilak Thapa Magar, a member of the Rotary Club of
Kathmandu North East, Nepal
Kathmandu North East, Nepal
I joined Rotary in 2012, and as a tourism entrepreneur
in Nepal, quickly became acquainted with the Interna-
tional Travel and Hosting Fellowship. In the course of
my work promoting tourism opportunities in Nepal, I
have traveled to Europe and Asia extensively, and to
the United States three times. But I had never had
an opportunity to plan a visit and make “connections”
with other Rotary members through the Travel Host-
ing Fellowship.
in Nepal, quickly became acquainted with the Interna-
tional Travel and Hosting Fellowship. In the course of
my work promoting tourism opportunities in Nepal, I
have traveled to Europe and Asia extensively, and to
the United States three times. But I had never had
an opportunity to plan a visit and make “connections”
with other Rotary members through the Travel Host-
ing Fellowship.
Last year, I contacted fellowship members through
email and to my big surprise received an overwhelm-
ing response from many of them with an invitation to
visit them. They wanted to host me during my visit.
email and to my big surprise received an overwhelm-
ing response from many of them with an invitation to
visit them. They wanted to host me during my visit.
I had a two day travel show for Nepal Tourism Pro-
motion in Philadelphia already planned in March,
and when I landed, was invited to join a multi-district
President-Elect Training Seminar in District 7210.
My fellowship visit officially kicked off a few days
later with a visit to a Nepalese family in New York
City. (I carved out time for a two-day side trip to
Niagara Falls, which was absolutely fantastic.)
motion in Philadelphia already planned in March,
and when I landed, was invited to join a multi-district
President-Elect Training Seminar in District 7210.
My fellowship visit officially kicked off a few days
later with a visit to a Nepalese family in New York
City. (I carved out time for a two-day side trip to
Niagara Falls, which was absolutely fantastic.)
On 25 March, my host Rotarian Bob Artis picked
me up at my hotel for the 30-minute ride to his
house in Buffalo, stopping first at a nice restau-
rant for a meal where we cheered my arrival
with a glass of wine. At his home, he introduc-
ed me to his wife, Corine, handed me a wel-
come card, and treated me as a beloved guest.
This was my first impression of a fellowship “con-
nection,” and a wonderful start to my trip.
me up at my hotel for the 30-minute ride to his
house in Buffalo, stopping first at a nice restau-
rant for a meal where we cheered my arrival
with a glass of wine. At his home, he introduc-
ed me to his wife, Corine, handed me a wel-
come card, and treated me as a beloved guest.
This was my first impression of a fellowship “con-
nection,” and a wonderful start to my trip.
While I stayed in Buffalo, Bob showed me
many tourist attractions and took me to a
number of Rotary club meetings. It was also
my first experience visiting clubs in the United
States and I was asked frequently; “Tilak, what
brings you here?” My answer was always “to visit
as many Rotary clubs as possible and get ideas
to bring back home to Nepal to share with my
club.” In fact, finding international partners for
potential projects was one of my purposes for
the trip beyond the fellowship.
many tourist attractions and took me to a
number of Rotary club meetings. It was also
my first experience visiting clubs in the United
States and I was asked frequently; “Tilak, what
brings you here?” My answer was always “to visit
as many Rotary clubs as possible and get ideas
to bring back home to Nepal to share with my
club.” In fact, finding international partners for
potential projects was one of my purposes for
the trip beyond the fellowship.
The rest of my visit involved stops in many
cities, including New York City, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Washington D.C., Chicago, and
Springfield, Illinois, where I visited sites as-
sociated with Abraham Lincoln. I’m thankful
to all the host families for their kind hospitality
that created an unforgettable experience.
American has become a home away from
home for me, and my host families are like
a second family. They are courteous, polite,
and always helpful.
cities, including New York City, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Washington D.C., Chicago, and
Springfield, Illinois, where I visited sites as-
sociated with Abraham Lincoln. I’m thankful
to all the host families for their kind hospitality
that created an unforgettable experience.
American has become a home away from
home for me, and my host families are like
a second family. They are courteous, polite,
and always helpful.
My stay would have been even longer, but
I had to shorten my trip due to the earth-
quake in Nepal on 25 April. Fortunately, my
family was all safe, but on 7 May, I returned
home to meet my family and assist people
in need from the devastation.
I had to shorten my trip due to the earth-
quake in Nepal on 25 April. Fortunately, my
family was all safe, but on 7 May, I returned
home to meet my family and assist people
in need from the devastation.
My experience was amazing, and strength-
ened my appreciation of the goodness
found in Rotary. I encourage any member
to consider being a part of the Travel and
Hosting Fellowship.
ened my appreciation of the goodness
found in Rotary. I encourage any member
to consider being a part of the Travel and
Hosting Fellowship.
Tilak Thapa Magar is vice president of the
Rotary Club of Kathmandu North East and
founder and managing director of Nepal Trail-
blazer Trekking. This post was adapted with
permission from Tilak’s full account of his visit.
Rotary Club of Kathmandu North East and
founder and managing director of Nepal Trail-
blazer Trekking. This post was adapted with
permission from Tilak’s full account of his visit.
