West Virginia University senior Anna Phillips, of Parkersburg, has been awarded the 2009-10 Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship by Rotary International District 7530. The award is for three months of intensive language study in another country.
The public relations and Spanish major plans to study French at the Institute of Language and Communication in Agdal, Rabat Morocco.
Valued at a maximum of $12,000, the award covers round-trip transportation and language training. The scholarship is designed to promote and strengthen international understanding and goodwill.
While abroad, Cultural Ambassadorial Scholars have a unique opportunity for cultural immersion; they live with Rotarians and their families in their host city.
Rotary Internationals ambassadorial scholarship program is giving me one of the best and most exciting experiences I could ask fortime in another culture to serve and learn,Phillips said.Im so excited to represent R.I. and West Virginia in such an exotic location. Ive always traveled, but an immersion experience will be totally different for me.
Students may study abroad in any country where Rotary is present and the proposed language of study is spoken. Applications are considered for candidates interested in studying Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Swedish. Scholars are expected to have completed at least one year of study in their proposed language before traveling abroad.
Annas past experiences abroad, community involvement and her outgoing personality made her the ideal candidate for a cultural scholarship to further her education,Rotary District Gov.-elect Jody Light said.
Phillips is president and founder of Students Going Global at WVU , an organization dedicated to exploring and highlighting international issues and encouraging participation in service-learning opportunities locally and globally. Phillips also works as an intern for Amizade Global Service-Learning Consortium at WVU .
About 800 Ambassadorial Scholarships are awarded worldwide each year by the Rotary Foundation. Founded in 1947, today it is the worlds largest privately funded international scholarships program. The program has sponsored more than 39,000 Rotary Scholars since its inception.
Students who are either from, or studying in, the 29 West Virginia counties which comprise District 7530 are eligible to apply for scholarships within this Rotary International district. For more information, visit http://www.rotary7530.org/ .