 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship
What:
The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately-sponsored international scholarship program for university-level studies. Focused on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy, and academic excellence, the program has sponsored more than 37,000 Rotary Scholars abroad since it began in 1947. Scholarships are designed to further international understanding, with Rotary Scholars acting as "ambassadors of goodwill" representing the U.S. in foreign countries. Students may apply for one of three scholarship types:
- Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarship - 1 year of study in any field in virtually any foreign country. This is the traditional length of study for UCI students.
Who is eligible:
Undergraduates who will have completed two years of university work before starting the scholarship are eligible. Candidates may apply for any country in which there are Rotary Clubs. U.S. citizenship is not required; however, foreign students must be citizens of a country in which there are Rotary Clubs to be eligible.
Other criteria:
Possess excellent leadership skills and potential
Demonstrate a proven record of success in academics or vocational work
Be articulate and possess good proficiency in the study country language
Demonstrate a personal commitment to community service
Be an excellent public speaker
Know the history, culture and politics of both the home country and study country
Be interested in a study field that has a direct impact on othe humanitarian needs of the world
In 2009, non-eligible countries are: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Iran, Iran, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nauru, North Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen. U.S. students may not apply to travel to these countries, and citizens from these countries may not apply for the scholarship.
Search to see which countries have a Rotary club here.
To see specific information about each country and its programs, click here
Applicants may be from any field of study. Generally applicants must study in a country where they have not previously lived or studied, and must be proficient in that country's language. They may not be a Rotarian or a descendent or spouse of one.
Selection Procedure:
Candidates submit an application to the Rotary Club in their hometown or to the local Newport/Irvine Rotary Club, with which UCI has established a relationship. Rotary International's website lists contacts for clubs in other areas. Application deadlines vary by club and are due between March and July, depending upon the wishes of the local club. The Newport/Irvine Rotary Club's deadline is April 2, but to qualify, students
must submit their applications (and all supplementary materials) to the SOP by February 1. SOP staff will edit applications and provide feedback to candidates, who will submit their final drafts to the SOP by March 1.
Typically, the Newport/Irvine Rotary Club sends three candidates to the Orange County District level, selected from 15 or so qualified applicants. The District generally receives 30 nominations from all local clubs and selects 5-10 to receive the Scholarships. Interviews take place at the club and district levels. Not all scholarships are offered by all clubs.
Interview preparation materials are available here.
Winners will be announced in mid to late June.
Deadline: UCI 2/1/2010
Who wins:
Rotary is looking for students with strong academic credentials (generally a minimum 3.5 GPA, although students with lower GPAs do win) and a variety of interests and extracurricular activities. Winners are well-informed about the country in which they intend to study, are articulate, and convey the ability to be outstanding "ambassadors of goodwill" to the people of the host country. Rotary Scholars make formal and informal appearances before Rotary Clubs and school and civic organizations in the host country.
The program’s alumni include Paul Volcker Jr, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Bill Moyers, Journalist, David Mulford, US Ambassador to India, and Roger Ebert, popular Film Critic.
Number of scholarships awarded annually varies by Rotary district. For the 2010-2011 academic year, there will be 2 or 3 awards given by the district.
In 2008, UCI's Jackie Seiglie also received the scholarship
Finances:
The Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarship provides $26,000 to help cover tuition, fees, room and board, round-trip transportation and miscellaneous expenses for one academic year.
Comments:
UCI students have recently done well in this competition. A distinguishing feature of this scholarship is the scholar's association with Rotary Clubs and Rotarians, both in the host country and in the United States. Each Scholar is assigned to a sponsoring Rotary Club and host Rotarian counselor for orientation, advice, and assistance.
To receive information specific to local Rotary Clubs, contact:
The Rotary Foundation 1560 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 (708)866-3000
World Wide Web: Further information and applications are available at:
http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/Howtoapply.aspx
For applications and more information, contact the Scholarship
Opportunities Program at 824-5461 in the Office of the Campuswide
Honors Program, 1200 Student Services II.
SOP is able to provide counseling and applications to UCI Students only.
|
|
|
|
|
Division of Undergraduate Education