Georgia (USA) Rotary Student Program

Since 1946, Rotarians in Georgia, USA, have promoted world peace through understanding by offering scholarships to international students for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities.  Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsor students recommended by a Rotary Club in their home country.  The students become adopted members of a Georgia "host family," but live on-campus at the College/University school they attend.

This is a scholarship program, not an exchange.  Each year, some 60 to 80 students from all over the world make friends in the United States and learn about differing cultures and life styles.  Georgia Rotarians believe "Peace is Possible" and through GRSP promote international goodwill through the bonds of friendship and understanding.

A good number of young people on leaving secondary school go on a GAP Year before returning home to take up study at a university or college or to pursue employment.  Parents often are concerned when their son or daughter are overseas on their own on such a GAP Year.  The great advantage of a GRSP placement is that a trusted Rotary Family acts as House Parents to support a GRSP student throughout their university college year in Georgia.  In addition, the GRSP has programme Rotarians who take a close interest in the wellbeing of all the students operating within the scheme.  Such backup on the spot in Georgia has proven to be a great reassurance to both students and parents.

Funding to make all of this possible comes from individual Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in Georgia, USA regularly donating to a central fund.  All applicants are given serious and equal consideration by the Rotary Clubs in Georgia.  Obviously, not all applicants are successful in being awarded a place but Scotland often fares very well in the selection process and our District’s Rotary Clubs have been awarded several places in recent years from our local secondary schools.

Further Information

Much information is available on the GRSP website via grsp.org and through information on this D1320 website, including many helpful attachments.Clubs should be contacting their local secondary schools to alert pupils (particularly those currently in their S5 year and who will be aged 18 before 1st August 2026) to the fact that District will soon be seeking applications for the 2026-27 academic year placements in Georgia.

Downloads

Noticeboard flyer -

Local Head Teacher letter -

Pupil Info note -

Powerpoint summary -