Each year Rotary International offers approximately 1000 Ambassadorial Scholarships that  allow recent graduates the opportunity for international study. Illinois Wesleyan University students have been the recipients of several of these scholarships in recent years.

The Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship is a grant of $25,000 for one year's study in a country different from the scholar's home country. These scholarships are awarded for study, often graduate study, in a field related to Rotary's objectives of world peace, international understanding, eliminating disease, conquering hunger and fostering literacy. Applicants for the full year scholarship must pass a language proficiency exam in the language of the proposed country.

Rotary Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for three or six months intensive study of language and culture at one of a number of institutions which The Rotary Foundation designates. The three month award is $12,000 and the six month award is $17,000. Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships may be awarded to undergraduates who have demonstrated a potential for furthering the objectives of Rotary, but many applicants are graduates. Most candidates apply during the summer following their junior or senior year, for study to commence following graduation or one year out.

Think it's unlikely you'd qualify? Think again! Illinois Wesleyan University has had several Rotary scholars in recent years. Shannon O'Rourke, class of 2007, was the recipient of a three month Cultural Scholarship to study in Senegal. Patrick Beary, also class of 2007, was the recipient of a one year Ambassadorial Scholarship to study in Buenos Aires, a program in which he is currently engaged.

Martin Ceisel, class of 2009, just recently received notification that he is the recipient of a six month Cultural Scholarship to study in the Slovak Republic.

Patrick and Martin will both be guest presenters at Thursday's program. Patrick is home for the holidays before returning to Buenos Aires to continue his studies. He will share some of his rich experiences. Martin will talk about the experience of going through the application process and his hopes for the program. Warren Kistner will share information about how to apply for scholarships for the 2010 scholarships. Applications will be due by July 15, 2009.