For 2008, three Rolex scholarships will be offered: one in North America, one in Europe, and one in Australasia. Each Rolex Scholarship provides a hands-on introduction to underwater and other aquatic-related endeavors for a young person considering a career in an underwater-related discipline. One scholar is selected from each of the three regions and each scholar spends approximately one year working side by side with current leaders in underwater fields. Each scholar travels primarily within his or her region, but may have opportunities throughout the underwater world. The range of experiences may include active participation in field studies, underwater research, scientific expeditions, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and other specialized assignments.

Each of the three Rolex Scholarships has a coordinator who organizes itineraries for his or her scholar - emphasizing breadth of experience, but tailoring the itinerary to the individual scholar’s background and interests. These itineraries include time with specialists in such areas as biology, hyperbarics, anthropology, and archaeology. Scholar hosts include scientists, engineers, filmmakers, and marine mammal researchers. Visits to dive store operations, classes in underwater photography, and working with conservation organizations are also typical experiences.

During the course of the year, exposure to a wide array of types of work and the chance to actually jump in and experience specific jobs provides scholars with invaluable career-deciding opportunities. The scholarship emphasizes hands-on experience in activities that will contribute to a well-rounded education and a broad network of contacts.

The 2007 OWUSS Summer internships are offered for a 1 to 3 month period and are primarily directed at college undergraduates and graduating seniors. Internship recipients will receive a grant to help fund travel to/from site, room and board, and a stipend to cover living expenses. For the summer of 2007 the OWUSS is pleased to announce an additional internship for North America: the Aquarena Center Environmental Education Internship, which is sponsored by the River Systems Institute at Texas State University - San Marcos.

• Aquarena Center Environmental Education Internship

  The Aquarena Center is situated along the headwaters of the San Marcos River and provides the Austin and San Antonio area with the opportunity to discover a natural wonder created by the Edwards Aquifer, a major water resource for Central Texas. Open to the public, this environmental education center offers a variety of exhibits focusing on the endangered species of the San Marcos Springs, including the Texas Blind Salamander, San Marcos Salamander, and Fountain Darter, the importance and diversity of wetlands, and the native and exotic species found in this area. Day-to-day operations at Aquarena offer a variety of opportunities for students interested in the practical aspects of the emerging field of environmental education. The intern’s responsibilities will be divided among aquatic maintenance, science diving, boat tours with staff and photo documentation on land and underwater. The intern will be expected to provide his or her own SCUBA equipment (including full wet suit) as well as a completed SCUBA diving medical form and physical, as this internship involves long days of physically demanding work underwater in 71 degree water.

For 2007, three Rolex scholarships will be offered: one in North America, one in Europe, and one in Australasia. Each Rolex Scholarship provides a hands-on introduction to underwater and other aquatic-related endeavors for a young person considering a career in an underwater-related discipline. One scholar is selected from each of the three regions and each scholar spends approximately one year working side by side with current leaders in underwater fields. Each scholar travels primarily within his or her region, but may have opportunities throughout the underwater world. The range of experiences may include active participation in field studies, underwater research, scientific expeditions, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and other specialized assignments.

During its 32nd annual awards program held this year at the Explorers Club in New York City on April 22, 2006, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society presented its 2006 North American Rolex Scholarship to Ms. Michelle Fetzer. Michelle is 23 years old and a 2004 marine biology graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. The 2006 European Rolex Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Delia Ní Chíobháin. Delia is 22 years old and is a 2006 archaeology graduate of the National University of Ireland. The European Rolex Scholar will be presented to the European diving community in October, 2006 at a ceremony during the International Festival of Underwater Film in Antibes, France.

For more than 30 years the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) has offered a variety of internships and scholarships. Our goal is to foster development of the future leaders of the marine environment. We continue to believe that by investing in special young people, by exposing them to a broad array of activities in the underwater community and giving them opportunities to work with influential people who are leaders in aquatic disciplines, we are investing in the future of our oceans and lakes.

The 2006 OWUSS Summer internships are offered for a 1 to 3 month period and are primarily directed at college undergraduates and graduating seniors. Internship recipients will receive a grant to help fund travel to/from site, room and board, and a stipend to cover living expenses.