Rotary Seeks Ambassadorial

Scholarship Applicants

Applications for the school year 2000-2001 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to be awarded worldwide are now available through the Rotary Club of Newtown. Scholarships are for a one-year-long academic Ambassadorial Scholarship and for a Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship. They are designed to further international understanding and goodwill and provide for study abroad in one of 189 countries and geographical regions where Rotary Clubs are located. Some 1,000 scholarships of various types are available worldwide.

Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are for one year of graduate study abroad, or for one undergraduate year after completion of at least two years of college. They provide round-trip transportation and up to $25,000, or its equivalent, for tuition and fees, room, board, necessary educational supplies, contingency expenses, and one month of intensive language training, if assigned by the Rotary Foundation.

Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for three months of intensive language training and cultural immersion at a language school selected by the Rotary Foundation Trustees. Applicants are expected to have completed at least one year of college level course work, or equivalent, of the proposed language of study. Funding for the Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship is not to exceed $12,000 for round-trip transportation, tuition, and fees for language training and homestay expenses.

During their studies abroad Rotary Foundation Scholars act as “ambassadors of goodwill.” Through appearances before Rotary Clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations, and other forums, the scholars represent their homelands and improve international understanding.

Interested persons should contact Rotarian Fred Parrella at 426-6470, or any Newtown Rotarian, for application materials and deadline information. No local club may accept completed applications after 1 July 2000. Serious applicants are urged to start work on their applications early, since much backup data is required.

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship program. Some 242 million dollars has been spent on over 24,270 international scholarships since the program began in 1947. Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary International is the oldest service club association. It is composed of over 26,000 clubs and more than 1.1 million Rotarians. Rotary Clubs provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and promote international understanding and good will.