Iowa City Rotary Club International Scholarships
Purpose
It is the purpose of these scholarships to contribute to international understanding through study and travel abroad by outstanding students. The students selected should have not only sufficient maturity to gain an understanding of the culture in which the students will be living but also the ability to convey knowledge and understanding of the United States to the individuals with whom they come in contact.
The scholarships are limited to those nations that have Rotary Clubs.
Amount of Awards
Two scholarship awards—both for $2500—will be made available to students for the period abroad. Each student or his or her parent will be expected to make all arrangements for acceptance at the school abroad, as well as for tuition, transportation, and housing.
Eligibility for Award
These awards will be given to currently registered college or university students who have demonstrated academic competence and overall achievement.
Students must meet these criteria: 1) be a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at the time of application as determined by the proper authority, 2) be a graduate of Johnson County High School, and 3) have one or more parent with a legal residence in the area served by the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club.
A nominal language facility for the country to be visited is necessary.There will be no discrimination in the selection of the recipients with respect to sex, race, religion, creed, or color, or Rotary membership or relatives.
Academic Accomplishments
The scholarship award is intended for "outstanding students." High school and college grades, honors awards, papers and performances would be included in this rating.
Non-academic Accomplishments
It is assumed that "outstanding student" characteristics can be identified in non-school accomplishments, e.g., arts, sport, community service or employment. Evidence of maturity, social interaction skills, tolerance and independence would be especially pertinent.
English Language Skill
The application blank and any written attachments as well as the interview session would provide the basis for judgment. The relevance of this criterion relates mainly to the candidate's obligation to communication with overseas Rotary clubs.
Foreign Language Skill - Host Country Language
This criterion is directly related to "gaining an understanding of the host culture - and conveying knowledge and understanding of the U.S." Actual conversational language facility should be stressed (in contrast to length of time studied).
Coherence of Foreign Study Plan
It is assumed that the visiting student will benefit more and be less likely to encounter frustration if the academic aspect of the foreign visit ties in well with his/her educational and career plans and objectives.
The question, then, is whether there is a reasonable degree of correspondence between past academic activities, current educational plans, including the foreign study, and future career objectives.
Intellectual and Social Maturity
Living and studying in a foreign country inevitably presents circumstances that are trying for the visitor and a test of his/her patience and tolerance. Especially in a program whose central purpose is to "contribute to international understanding," it is important that the candidate(s) selected be able to deal well with these aspects of the foreign experience.
Interaction with Host Culture/People
By its stated purpose and intent, the scholarship program implies that the student must be willing, able and interested in involvement and interaction with host country institutions and people. The intent of this program goes well beyond academic gain for the visiting student.
Responsibilities of Recipients
Applicants must submit recommendations and current transcripts. After examination of these documents and the applications, six of the applicants will be chosen for interviews.
Successful applicants will be required to attend a college or university for at least six months overseas. Preference will be given to those applicants who plan to study for an academic year. Recipients must use the award during the 2008-2009 academic year. There will be no deferrals.
The recipients will inform the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club of their residence abroad and will regularly communicate with the Club. Also, they will become acquainted with a Rotary Club abroad and will communicate with that Club.
The student, if of legal age, or parent, if the student is not of legal age, must release the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club from responsibility beyond providing the cash stipend.
Upon completion of the overseas program, the recipients will make a written report to the Club, through the selection committee, and an oral report to the Club (and possibly other clubs in the religion) in the form of a Rotary luncheon program in the one- to-three-month period following the return to the United States.
Application for Award
Application forms may be obtained from Gene Wendling, 2225 Macbride Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246 Ph. (319)351-1826 or Duane Swartzendruber, 1741 Winston Drive, Iowa City, IA 52245 Ph. (319)338-1233.. Applications can also be found on the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club website.
Completed forms should be submitted to: Gene Wendling, 2225 Macbride Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246 Ph. (319)351-1826.
The following criteria are believed to be pertinent to the letter and spirit of the statement of purpose and announced information about the scholarship program. Scholarship Committee members may, however, wish to add other criteria and/or to assign different weight to the criteria.
For more information please download the information packet.