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Draft:Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP)

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Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) is a one-year, non-degree seeking program[1] for undergraduate students from outside the United States. Since 1946, Georgia has hosted 3,775 students from 109 different countries.[2] The program began with only 4 scholars, and now it sponsors more than 40 international students each year to promote international goodwill through friendship and understanding.[3]

The GRSP offers a one-year ambassadorial scholarship to students worldwide for an immersive cultural and academic experience in the state of Georgia. The scholarship covers scholastic costs, including tuition, dormitory, meal plan, and $500 per term toward medical insurance costs.[4] Participants study at colleges or universities across the state while living on campus and receiving support from host families. These families provide guidance and integration into American society.[5]

History

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The Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) was established in 1946 by Will Watt, a Past District Governor from Thomasville, Georgia. The program was created in the aftermath of World War II with the objective of promoting international understanding and peace by bringing together students from around the world. Watt aimed to provide students from war-affected regions, particularly Europe, with opportunities to study in the United States, learn about American culture, and build cross-cultural relationships.[6]

In 1939, Will Watt, then president of the Thomasville Rotary Club, attended the Rotary International convention in Cleveland, Ohio.[7] During the convention, he heard a story from fellow Rotarian Darryl Brady about receiving assistance from a German youth. Brady, on his way to a youth conference, encountered a flat tire on his bicycle. A German boy offered to help by providing a wheel from his own bicycle, allowing Brady to reach the conference on time. This experience left a lasting impression on Watt, influencing his decision to establish the program after the war.

The initial funding for the program was supported by a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, who persuaded his club to contribute financially. Watt's son, Lindsey Watt, noted that after World War II, Will Watt was motivated by the desire to find a way to connect young people across different nations.[8] The program, originally named the Georgia Rotary Student Plan, is now known as the Georgia Rotary Student Program.[9]

Vision

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The program follows Rotary International's mission to promote peace and advance world goodwill and understanding. The program also reflects Rotary's values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering cultural exchange and education.[10] GRSP aims to build bridges between diverse cultures and develop future leaders, making GRSP students ambassadors of their home countries. The goal is to have students return to their home countries, after spending a year abroad with students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, with a positive perception of the United States and its people, as well as the countries of the other foreign students. The expectation is for alumni to become global leaders who will foster intercultural competence in their communities as a result of the friendships made in and outside of the program, potentially contributing to a more peaceful world.[11]

Application requirements

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Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 25 by August 1st of the year they begin the program and must not have studied in the U.S. for longer than four months. They also cannot be engaged or married and cannot have dual U.S. citizenship. All applicants must be endorsed by a local Rotary Club in their home country, who must write a recommendation letter for the student to submit with their application. Aspiring students are required to meet the admissions criteria for their designated college or university; some require an SAT exam  and non-English speakers must take a TOEFL exam to prove English proficiency to attend college classes.[12] However, selection is not solely based on academic merit. The program focuses on candidates who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to promoting international goodwill. Selected students must maintain good academic standing and fulfill their obligations to the program and their host clubs.

Sponsors

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GRSP is managed by a network of Trustees, District Chairs, and Rotarians from across Georgia’s Rotary Districts, all of whom volunteer their time without compensation. There are over 70 participating Rotary Clubs in District 6900, District 6910, and District 6920 that support this program.[13] The clubs may individually or collectively sponsor a student, covering the costs of tuition and fees for the year. Georgia Rotarians may get involved in different aspects of the program. They can provide financial support through donations and contributions, volunteer as host families to GRSP students, or help with GRSP events and activities.[14]

Events

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GRSP organizes official student weekends every month. Since students are located in different colleges across the state of Georgia, GRSP facilitates their encounters by organizing sanctioned student weekends. These student weekends occur from August to April, with the exception of December and January. There are three mandatory events for all students: the GRSP Conclave in August, the GRSP Leadership Conference in February, and the annual Rotary District Conference, which typically marks the end of the year. While attendance at the remaining student weekends is encouraged, it is not strictly mandatory. Each student weekend is organized and paid for by the sponsoring Rotary Clubs with the purpose of giving students the opportunity to spend time together, as it is an essential part of the program.[15] At the Conclave, students introduce themselves to the Rotarians sponsoring them and are given an orientation about the rules of the program. During Conclave weekend, students also perform and are encouraged to bring traditional costumes to showcase a piece of their culture to Rotarians.[16] Rotary Clubs rotate every year to host student weekends in different parts of Georgia. During the student weekends, local Rotarians will host GRSP students in their homes for the weekend. Every club organizes different types of activities. Some clubs include service projects to get students involved in volunteering in their communities. Occasionally, there will be unsanctioned weekends for a final get-together at the end of the year.[17]

Participating colleges

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As of 2024, this is the list of the institutions participating in the program:[18]

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
  • Augusta University
  • Berry College
  • Brenau University
  • Clayton State University
  • Coastal College of Georgia
  • Columbus State University
  • Dalton State College
  • Emory University
  • Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Georgia Southern University- Armstrong Campus
  • Georgia Southwestern State University
  • Kennesaw State University
  • LaGrange College
  • Mercer University
  • Oglethorpe University
  • Piedmont University
  • Reinhardt University
  • Thomas University
  • University of Georgia
  • University of North Georgia
  • University of West Georgia
  • Valdosta State University
  • Wesleyan College
  • Young Harris College

Terminology

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Rotarian

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Rotarians are active Rotary Club members.

Trustee

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Trustees are responsible for maintaining a close relationship with the students, host families, and Rotary clubs, overseeing the participants involved, and ensuring that issues are promptly addressed.[19]

Host family

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Host families are Rotarians who invite and "adopt" students into their homes. They are responsible for sharing American culture by including them in family activities and having the students over for the holidays. [20]

Host club

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Host clubs are the Rotary clubs in Georgia responsible for sponsoring the students and making sure students attend Rotary Club meetings. They should also ensure club members interact and get to know their host student and invite the student to club events.[13]

Conclave

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Conclave is the first meeting of the year in which all GRSP students and Rotarians from all over Georgia meet for the first time. It takes place during a weekend in August, where students are given an orientation with information about the program and what is expected from them. This is a weekend for students and Rotarians to socialize and get to know each other. Students usually perform for Rotarians to show a piece of their culture.[16]

Student weekend

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Student weekends are weekend events organized monthly by different Rotary Clubs in Georgia. During these weekends, students will go to a different town in Georgia, they will stay with local Rotarians, and participate in different activities organized by the clubs.[17]

Alumni

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Alumni are GRSP students who have completed their program and returned to their home countries. After finishing the program, they are considered ambassadors of peace and ambassadors of the Georgia Rotary Student Program.[2]

External sources

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Georgia Rotary Student Program

References

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  1. ^ Fields, Katheryne (2021-10-01). "GRSP Scholarship for 2022-23 International Students - Application Deadline is October 31". Rotary District 6900. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  2. ^ a b "Alumni | GRSP". www.grsp.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  3. ^ Bond, Ian (2022-08-23). "Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP)". Rotary District 6900. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  4. ^ Sicurella, Savannah (April 2018). "lnternationals in the dorms". The Globe - Georgia Gwinnett's Student Newspaper. p. 11.
  5. ^ Admin, J. P. L. (2022-05-06). "Georgia Rotary Student Program Offers Opportunities for International Students". Reinhardt University. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  6. ^ Times-Enterprise, From Staff Reports The Thomasville (2024-07-29). "Rotary Club of Thomasville presents GRSP donor recognitions". Thomasville Times-Enterprise. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  7. ^ "Rotary International Conventions". Rotary Club of Georgetown, TX. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  8. ^ Georgia Rotary Student Program (2015-07-21). Georgia Rotary Student Program 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-11 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "GRSP celebrates 75 years, dedicates Peace Plaza and Will Watt Memorial Fountain". Valdosta Daily Times. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  10. ^ "Who We Are". www.rotary.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  11. ^ Keyes, McKenna Nicole (2021-06-17). International Educational Exchange Programs as a Promoter of Peace? : Moving Beyond Assumptions of Attitude Change to Identify a Causal Pathway. Uppsala University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
  12. ^ "Georgia Rotary Student Program at Thomas University". EducationUSA. 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  13. ^ a b "Host Clubs | GRSP". www.grsp.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  14. ^ "Rotarians | GRSP". www.grsp.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  15. ^ "GEORGIA ROTARY STUDENT PROGRAM HANDBOOK". Google Docs. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  16. ^ a b Fields, Katheryne (2024-07-01). "2024 GRSP Conclave Weekend". Rotary District 6900. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  17. ^ a b Beverly, Cal (2022-05-30). "GRSP Community Service Weekend in Peachtree City caps students' immersion in Georgia life". The Citizen. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  18. ^ "Participating Colleges and Universities | GRSP". www.grsp.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  19. ^ "FAQs | GRSP". www.grsp.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  20. ^ "Rotary helps students around the world". Coastal Courier. 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
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