About Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation’s oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships. Since 1947 nearly 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program. More than 1,000 scholarships were awarded for study in 2003-04. Through grants totalling approximately US$428 million, recipients from some 70 countries studied in more than 70 nations.
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.
Generous contributions from Rotarians worldwide represent continued faith that the students who are Ambassadorial Scholars today will be tomorrow’s community and world leaders.
Ambassadorial Scholarship Program Objectives
The Ambassadorial Scholarships program supports the mission of The Rotary Foundation to further international understanding and world peace by:
- Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences by sending ambassadors of goodwill to study in another country
- Instilling in scholars the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through active participation in Rotary service projects
- Encouraging scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home community and country
- Developing leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world community
- Impacting all areas of the world through a balanced geographical distribution of scholars
- Encouraging Rotarians worldwide to increase the educational opportunities for scholars from low-income countries
- Fostering a lifelong association between Rotary and its scholars
To find out more about Ambassadorial Scholarship, please visit the Rotary International Site or ask one of the scholars to speak at your club.
Ambassadorial Scholars – 2012/2013
Mayumi Nogushi is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Matsumoto – District 2600, Japan. Her field of study at Nottingham University is Occupational Health. Mayumi, in addition to Japanese, can speak English, Vietnamese and Korean. In her spare time she enjoys cycling and cooking. Mayumi’s Rotary Counsellor is Jane Hart (Keith) of the Rotary Club of the Vale of Belvoir.
Hiroko Sakate is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Osaka Utsubo – District 2660,Japan. Her field of study at Nottingham University is Psychology. Hiroko, in addition to Japanese, can speak English. In her spare time she enjoys reading and sewing. Hiroko’s Rotary Counsellor is Denis Power-Neads (Valerie) of the Rotary Club of Newark.
Isabelle Affentranger is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Luzern-Wassertrum –District 1980,Switzerland. Her field of study is Biological Photography & Imaging. Isabelle can speak English, German and French. In her spare time she enjoys reading, photography and playing the double bass. Isabelle’s Rotary Counsellor is Malcolm Darroch (Fay) of the Rotary Club of Bulwell & Basford.
Courtney Rachal is sponsored by the Rotary Club of St Charles Parish – District 6840, USA. Her field of study at Nottingham University is Public Relations. Courtney speaks English. In her spare time she enjoys sorority (a womens’ academic society-US), school organisations, reading and travel. Courtney`s Rotary Counsellor is IPDG Gordon McGlone (Lorraine) of the Rotary Club of Wirksworth.
Pawel Smietanka is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bornheim – District 1810, Germany. His field of study at Nottingham University is Economics. Pawel speaks Polish, English and German. In his spare time he enjoys reading and jogging. Pawel`s Rotary Counsellor is Heidi Pawlus of the Rotary Club of Sherwood Sunrisers.
Rotary Clubs wishing to invite scholars to their clubs to make presentations should contact the appropriate Rotary Counsellor.
Reported by Keith Pollard, R.C of Chesterfield Scarsdale (Co-ordinator-Incoming)
