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Rotary International is a little known, yet valuable resource that can help fund your international education. Rotary International spends approximately $20 million a year to support its mission to foster "Service Above Self." Although there are a number of funds available and the application process is fairly intuitive, the process does require some navigation. Keep in mind the following best practices as you work your way toward finding funding for your international experience through Rotary.

1. Get started by going online. Go to the Rotary International website and learn more including: information about the service and education funding they offer, where your local club meets, and more information about Rotary's mission.
2. Connect with the Rotary club in your home town. Since applications can only be made through local Rotary clubs, it's in your best interest to look into the Rotary club in your home town first. This way you're less likely to be competing with a town full of college students who are also competing for financial assistance.
3. Not sure who to talk to? Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your home town which should be able to provide you with the name and contact information of your local Rotary chapter's president. She/he will be your official sponsor so it's a good idea to start to develop a connection prior to submitting your application.
4. Think about how your interests in studying or working abroad connect with the goals and aims of Rotary International. Most organizations are looking for a fit between themselves and their applicants - Rotary is no different. Take time to look into the organization's mission, and learn about specific projects undertaken by your local chapter. Are they particularly interested in health, education, or other some other issue that overlaps with your interests? Doing some research and conducting informational interviews will greatly enhance your ability to articulate in a convincing manner the fit between your goals and their self-defined mission; boosting the likelihood that that will want to support you.
5. Investigate Rotary Scholarships. Keep in mind that funds are available for international language immersion and academic study abroad. There are also smaller programs to support vocational exchange and university teaching. The following are a sample of scholarships offered by Rotary.
   
   
   • Ambassadorial Scholarships are available to anyone with two or more years of college or work experience. These scholarships can be helpful in funding education abroad that is not sponsored by an organization in your home country. The scholarships are generous and cover all expenses.
   • Academic Year and Multi-Year Scholarships are available for up to three years at $11,000 per year. These scholarships can be used to assist in the completion of a degree program from an international institution in any academic field.
   • Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships provide financial support for intensive language and cultural immersion programs. If you are interested in learning Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish. To apply you should have at least a year of your intended language, but scholarships can be as great as $26,000.

Adapted from: "Student Participant Report - Go for the Rotary" by Brad Jensen