This program is one-of-a-kind. We have been bringing nations together since 1946. The program began with only 4 scholars, and now we are proud to say that we have more than 3,800 alumni from all over the world. The program’s purpose is to broaden the understanding of world peace through people and that is exactly what we’ve done.
GRSP News
Bolivian Student Isabella Velasquez Gallardo Honored with 2025-2026 Lynn Clarke GRSP Women in Leadership Award
The Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) is proud to announce Isabella Velasquez Gallardo as the 2025-2026 recipient of the Lynn Clarke GRSP Women in Leadership Award. The Bolivia native and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) student has distinguished herself through...
Four Georgia Students Headed to Denmark, Norway
Georgia Rotary Student Program selected four outstanding Georgia college students the opportunity to participate in prestigious international academic programs in Norway and Denmark this summer. We are proud to support these exceptional students as they represent...
GRSP’s Biral, Jin Honored Duo for Thomas Peace Awards
Julia Carlotto Biral of Brazil and Guang 'Loski' Jin of China were recently announced as the winners of the 2025-2026 Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas Peace Award. The awards were presented in December by Rotary Club of Roswell Committee Chair John Carruth, alongside...
Being a part of the Georgia Rotary Student Program has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. This program has afforded me the opportunity to forge lasting friendships with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This, perhaps, is the greatest gift that one can hope to get for it allows us to see through differences across cultures and instead find similarities between one another. I feel that such fellowship across participants, both students and host families, is what made this program such an enriching experience for me.
Ali Shaaban Shahid
Pakistan
GRSP 2013-14
Since 1946, Rotarians in Georgia, USA, have promoted world peace through understanding by offering ambassadorial scholarships to international students for one year cultural immersion and of study in Georgia colleges and universities.
Each year, students from all over the world make friends in the United States and other nations and learn about differing cultures and lifestyles. Georgia Rotarians believe “Peace is Possible” and through GRSP promote international goodwill through friendship and understanding.
The students become adopted members of a Georgia “host family,” living on-campus at the school they attend. This is an ambassadorial scholarship program, not an exchange!
Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsor students recommended by a Rotary Club in their home country.
🏍️Student Spotlight: The Open Road to Peace: Meet Sebastian Sluga Delgado!
Sebastian Sluga Delgado of Colombia is a Georgia Rotary Student Program scholar for the Class of 2025-2026 currently immersing himself in the vibrant "Owl Life" at Kennesaw State University . Sebastian loves highlighting the thrill of a major sports win—a moment that perfectly captures the "Hoot Loot" pride and the sense of community that makes being an Owl so special. Whether he’s navigating the halls of the Burruss Building or cheering in the stands, Sebastian’s enthusiasm is a reminder that shared celebrations are a universal language that brings people together from all corners of the globe.
When he isn’t focused on his studies or cheering on the Owls, Sebastian is likely exploring the scenic beauty of Georgia in his favorite way: on the back of his motorcycle. For Sebastian, riding is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to truly connect with the landscapes and people of his new home. By blending his Colombian roots with his adventurous spirit and newfound KSU pride, Sebastian is helping us build a more connected world, one mile at a time.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to the District 6900 Rotary Clubs of East Cobb and Paulding County for their generous sponsorship of Sebastian. This life-changing journey is made possible through your dedication to international exchange, and we are so proud to have Sebastian representing GRSP in Kennesaw thanks to your support!
#GRSP #RotaryInternational #PeaceThroughUnderstanding #StudentSpotlight #CulturalAmbassador #KennesawStateUniversity #KSU #Colombia #InternationalStudent #Scholarship #UniteForGood #EastCobb #PauldingCounty #KennesawGA #GoOwls #HootLoot #MotorcycleLife #ExploreGeorgia #RotaryDistrict6900 ... See MoreSee Less
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Bolivian Student Isabella Velasquez Gallardo Honored with 2025-2026 Lynn Clarke GRSP Women in Leadership Award🏆✨
The Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) is proud to announce Isabella Velasquez Gallardo as the 2025-2026 recipient of the Lynn Clarke GRSP Women in Leadership Award. The Bolivia native and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) student has distinguished herself through extraordinary leadership, a nurturing spirit and a deep commitment to fostering international harmony. Currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with a 3.5 GPA, Isabella has emerged as a vital voice on her campus and within the Rotary community, consistently demonstrating her desire to grow as a leader who listens, learns, and connects across diverse cultures. 🌎
Throughout her time in Georgia, Isabella has balanced a rigorous academic load with significant advocacy work. As a peer leader in GGC’s HACER (Hispanic) Learning Community, she was recently selected to represent her campus at the HACU Conference in Washington, D.C., where she advocated for educational opportunities for Hispanic students. Her dedication to community service is equally impressive, seen through her volunteer efforts with the CarePoint Food Pantry and the Grizzlies Serve campus initiative. Reflecting on her journey, Isabella noted that education plays a vital role in building respect and compassion, stating that when we build understanding, we effectively replace fear with friendship and conflict with cooperation. 🤝
Isabella’s path to this recognition was marked by a unique twist of fate, joining the program as a last-minute substitute through the direct scholarship program. Her Trustee and host father, John Petrillo, describes her as the ideal ambassador for Rotary, noting that she has become a "contributing club member" who provides regular updates on campus life and service projects. Her presence has made a lasting impact on her host community, proving that "some things are meant to be" as she embodies the core Rotary value of Service Above Self in every interaction.
The Lynn Clarke Women in Leadership Award is named in honor of Lynn Clarke, a former longtime member of the Rotary Club of Bremen and a licensed attorney in Georgia for 50 years. Lynn dedicated more than two decades to the Georgia Rotary Student Program as a District Chair, District Director, Trustee and host mother. Lynn was named Trustee Emeritus for during the GRSP Winter Meeting held in January and will be formally recognized in July. This prestigious scholarship, resulting from a $100,000 anonymous donation made in her honor in 2017, continues Lynn’s legacy of advancing world peace through understanding.
By receiving this honor, Isabella Velasquez Gallardo joins a distinguished lineage of international ambassadors dedicated to representing their home countries, their universities, and the spirit of the Georgia Rotary Student Program. In addition to this honor, the award includes a $1,000 check.
#studentspotlight #grsp #georgiarotarystudentprogram #worldpeace #peacethroughunderstanding #internationalstudentscholarships #leadershipdevelopment #themagicofrotary ... See MoreSee Less
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🍑Student Spotlight: A "California" Girl in the Peach State: Meet Luana dos Santos!
Luana dos Santos from Brazil is a Georgia Rotary Student Program scholar for the Class of 2025-2026, currently calling the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) home. Luana has a fun surprise for anyone who asks where she’s from: she’s a "California" girl through and through! But there’s a catch—she hails from the charming city of Califórnia in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Luana has jumped headfirst into "Mariner life," giving us a tour of her dorm at Lakeside Village and the beautiful CCGA campus. While she loves the scenic views of the college lake and the energy of the volleyball and basketball courts, she admits with a laugh that she keeps a watchful eye out for any local frogs that might be lurking near the water. By sharing these lighthearted stories and her unique "California" heritage, Luana is a wonderful example of our mission: building Peace through Understanding—and a little bit of laughter.
A huge thank you to the District 6920 Rotary Clubs of Brunswick, Camden County, and St. Simons Island for their joint sponsorship of Luana. Your support is helping this "California" scholar make a world of difference right here on the Georgia coast!
#GRSP #RotaryInternational #PeaceThroughUnderstanding #StudentSpotlight #CulturalAmbassador #CollegeOfCoastalGeorgia #CCGA #Mariners #Brazil #InternationalStudent #Scholarship #UniteForGood #BrunswickGA #StSimonsIsland #CamdenCountyGA #CoastalGeorgia #CaliforniaGirl ... See MoreSee Less
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