Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Program

Application forms for 2012-2013 are currently being accepted by the Los Angeles Rotary Club.

Ambassadorial Scholarships for one academic year abroad provide up to $25,000 to cover round-trip transportation, academic fees for a normal course load, reasonable living costs, some educational supplies, one-month of brush-up intensive language training before commencing studies (if needed and assigned by the Rotary Foundation), and perhaps some limited educational travel and contingency expenses.

Applicants may apply only through any Rotary Club in the Rotary District (for us Los Angeles #5280) that is the applicant's legal permanent residence or current place of full-time study or employment. Applicants must have completed two years of university attendance or professional work experience before starting scholarship studies. Scholars may be married, but spouses are not provided for. Rotarians, their spouses and direct relatives may not apply.

The ideal candidate is the 'all-around person,' not just an academic star. The applicant should provide evidence of activities that demonstrate initiative, including leadership roles in school and community, as well as academic excellence. Our committee encourages applicants who have a clear sense of purpose in the overseas study program.

Ambassadorial Scholars are expected to promote international understanding by being outstanding representatives of Rotary International and their home country. Through appearances before Rotary Clubs, public and other forums, scholars are expected to share their experiences with the people of their sponsoring districts and their host countries. L. A. District #5280 may give preference to scholars who will be in the Los Angeles area for the entire year preceding the award year, in order for familiarization with Rotary, its activities, the sponsoring district and the sponsoring club.

Schedule outline: The deadline for completed applications will be in March, 2011. Interviews of applicants by our club committee will take place in April, 2010. The committee usually recommends a maximum of three candidates to the L. A. District #5280 Scholarships Committee. The District Committee in turn will interview recommended applicants in May, 2011, making final selections at that time. Rotary International approval (generally granted) follows from the Rotary Foundation Trustees by October 1st. The Trustees confirm the scholars' study institution by December 15th; only then can the selected scholars begin the process of applying to the assigned university for admission.

They spend the following months preparing for study abroad, including gaining admission and passing a language examination to show proficiency in the language of the host country (if it is not their native language). The Foundation Trustees strive for a wide geographic distribution of selected scholars in order to accomplish the program's overall goal and objectives. On the application, each candidate lists up to five study institutions distributed in at least three countries. Only a small percentage of Ambassadorial Scholars are assigned to frequently requested destinations, such as London and Paris. Candidates seeking to study in developing countries or less traditional study destinations are more likely to be assigned to their first choice.