Purpose: The Rotary Foundation promotes international
understanding and friendly relations through sponsorship of
study abroad programs for people interested in acting as
goodwill ambassadors.
Programs
Funded: The Foundation offers several different
scholarships, however our local area Rotary Clubs, through which Claremont Colleges students usually
apply, sponsor only the Academic Year Ambassadorial
Scholarships. The one year award may be used in any country where Rotary
Clubs are located, and provides up to $23,000 for tuition,
fees, travel, and living expenses. Study may be in any field
at an educational institution in a location near a Rotary
Club which acts as local sponsor. Candidates must specify
five different institutions in at least three different
countries at which they can pursue their desired studies, and may not apply for placement in
countries where they have previously lived or studied for more
than six months. Most Ambassadorial Scholars do not complete
a degree while abroad, but may stay for another year to
complete a degree if they find other means of support.
Rotary Scholars are expected to
be outstanding ambassadors of good will to the people of the
host country through both informal and formal appearances at
clubs, schools, civic organizations, and other forums. Upon return home, recipients are expected to discuss
and share their experiences with the people of their home
country, and especially with local Rotary groups.
Eligibility: Applicants must be citizens of
countries with Rotary Clubs. Because the world-wide
selection cycle lasts more than a year, students who wish to
go abroad in the year following college graduation should
apply during junior year. There are no age limits for
application. Children and
grandchildren of Rotarians are not eligible to apply.
Selection
Criteria: Academic strengths are important, but the primary
concern is selecting “ambassadors” who are outgoing and
articulate, with a good understanding of U.S. history,
current events, and culture, a capacity to adapt to other
cultures and to flourish on their own in an unfamiliar place, and genuine interest in learning about the host
country. Applicants
planning to study in a language other than English must
demonstrate proficiency sufficient for the purpose.
Application
Process: Applications may be filed through the Claremont
area Rotary Clubs or through your hometown Rotary.
Application deadlines are set by individual Rotary Clubs and
may be as early as March or as late as July. Since
scholarship funding is determined entirely at the District
level, Rotary clubs and districts in different
locations offer varying numbers of Ambassadorial or other
scholarships, and numbers may change from year to year.
Screening occurs at both the local and district levels.
Applicants through the Claremont clubs must be on campus for interviews
in the spring, therefore Juniors studying abroad in spring
may not apply through Claremont.
Advisor: Paula
Goldsmid
SCC 148 x78948
http://www.rotary.org
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