Bram Fiebelkorn spent the 2006-2007 academic year in Panama teaching children to speak English and helping impoverished Panamanians receive free medical care.
Fiebelkorn, who is now in charge of marketing and sales for an international distribution firm, said that his trip was made possible by the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Program, which provides funding for students who wish to study abroad.
Gainesville's Rotary clubs are looking for applicants to compete for part of the $15 million awarded around the world by the Rotary Foundation each year.
District 6970, which includes Alachua and 12 other counties, is comprised of four local clubs - Gainesville, Greater Gainesville, Downtown Gainesville and Gainesville Sunrise - each of which will help prepare students who wish to apply for the awards.
The scholarship is neither strictly need-based nor merit-based, according to the Rotary International Web site. Fiebelkorn said that he was chosen because of his well-rounded education and background in service.
"Rotary doesn't expect you to save the world," he said, "but they do want you to have an idea of how your strengths and talents can help you be successful abroad in furthering world peace and bridging the cultural gap."
Student applicants can compete for either the academic year 2010-2011 Ambassadorial Scholarship, which grants up to $25,000 for a year of study abroad, or the cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship, which allots up to $17,000 for six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion.
According to Jean Casagrande, chair of the program's selection committee for District 6970, the ideal applicant exhibits articulation, maturity, a record of public service and proficiency in his or her chosen country's language.
Applications will be given only after the applicant meets with his or sponsor, which can be arranged through the local clubs.
From there, Casagrande said, the local club will choose who to send to the regional level, and then the finalists will be judged at the district level.
Applications will be accepted through late February depending on the sponsoring club.
Teachers may also apply for the Ambassadorial program's counterpart, the Rotary Grants for University Teachers program, which awards either a $12,500 award for three to five months or a $22,500 award for six to 10 months of teaching in a low-income or developing country.
