2012 Forum on Education Abroad Annual Conference

<strong>2012</strong> <strong>Forum</strong> on Education Abroad 

Annual Conference 

Jody Dudderar - U.S. Student Fulbright Program 

Chris Powers - Boren Scholarships and Fellowships 

Malaika Serrano - Critical Language Scholarship Program 

Jane Thiele - Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Boren Scholarships & Fellowships 

an Initiative of the National Security Education Program administered 

by the Institute of International Education 

• Created by the David L. Boren National 

Security Education Act of 1991 

• Provides funding to study in areas 

critical to national security 

• Emphasizes less commonly taught 

languages

Tips for a Successful Application 

• Address National Security 

– Based on student’s own background, major, 

and perspective 

– Any international issue can affect security 

• Demonstrate a Commitment to Language Learning 

• Show a Commitment to Federal 

Service


Study overseas for a significant period of time


Use All Resources 

• Boren Staff 

– Phone: 1-800-618-NSEP 

– Email: Boren@iie.org 

• Boren Website www.borenawards.org 

• Social and Multimedia 

– Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Webinars 

• Campus Resources 

– Campus Representatives, Faculty Advisers, Writing 

Centers

Common Pitfalls 

• Not meeting more than one of the 

preferred criteria 

• Not addressing national security 

• Not showing ongoing language 

commitment 

• Not addressing service or doing so in 

a cursory way 

• Writing a personal statement rather 

than answering questions 

• Not reading instructions

Selection Timelines 

Late August Application Opens 

Late January/Early February Application Deadline 

March Regional Review Panels 

April National Review Panels 

May Applicants are Notified

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program Overview 

Program objective: increase the number of Americans studying 

critical foreign languages. 

Highlights and Eligibility Requirements: 

• Since 2006 over 2700 participants 

• Fully-funded program 

• 8—10 weeks during the summer 

• 630 Awards for <strong>2012</strong> 

• U.S. citizen 

• Currently enrolled in U.S. university 

Target languages: 

Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, 

Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu 

www.CLScholarship.org

Key Elements of a Successful Application 

Make a clear connection between target language and academic/career. 

• How did you become interested in studying the target language? 

• Why is proficiency in the target language critical to your academic 

and professional goals? 

• How will you continue your language study after the CLS Program? 

CLS is a very intensive, group-based program. 

• How have you dealt with challenging living or cultural situations? 

Letters of Recommendation are extremely important. 

• Letters from faculty or instructors are preferred. 

• Be sure to include language reference if required.

Pitfalls to Avoid 

Common mistakes include: 

• Spelling and grammatical errors/not following directions. 

• Weak letters of recommendation. 

• Applying for language without meeting prerequisite. 

• Not articulating direct correlation between 

target language, current academic 

program, and future plans. 

• Vague career goals or lack of clear path 

to career or language proficiency goals. 

• Personal connection to language rather than 

academic/professional. 

Application tips available on the website: 

http://www.clscholarship.org/applicants.htm

Selection Timeline 

• September – Application Opens 

• November 15 – Application Deadline 

• December (1 st round) 

• Each application read by two independent readers across the U.S. 

• January and February (2 nd round) 

• Top 1/3 applications are forwarded to the second and final round. 

• Applicants not forwarded to panel are notified. 

• Selection panels convene in Washington, D.C. 

• Final approval by U.S. Department of State. 

• February/March 

• Finalists and alternates are notified. 

• Must confirm award by mid-late March.

<strong>2012</strong> Program Diversity Snapshot 

• All 50 states including DC, PR, USVI. 

• 10% are STEM majors; 

• 20% self-identify as a student of color. 

• Nearly 240 institutions represented including: public and private, 

community colleges, HBCUs and HSIs. 

• Undergraduate students 70%; 

graduate students 30%. 

• Women 60%; Men 40%.

Preparing U.S. Students for Competitive 

Study Abroad Scholarships 

Sponsor: 

U.S. Department of State 

Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs 

Administrator:

Program Overview 

Gilman Mission: To diversify the kinds of students who 

study abroad and the regions where they go. 

• Awards over 2,300 grantees 

• Fall, Spring and Summer 

• Up to $5,000 award per student 

• Critical Need Language Awards of 

$8,000 

• Eligibility requirements 

• 10+ years: Over 10,600 recipients

Key Elements of a Successful Application 

Choose a program location that aligns the student’s personal, 

professional and academic goals with the Gilman program mission. 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

9% 

5% 

• Non-traditional locations are a priority 

30% 

11% 

5% 

2% 

Regions of Destination 

16% 15% 

5% 

1% 0% 1% 

Africa Asia Eastern Europe Latin America Middle 

East/North Africa 

North America* Oceania Western Europe 

Gilman Recipients National Study Abroad^ 

(AY 2010-2011) (Open Doors 2009-2010) 

3% 

6% 

32% 

53%

Underrepresented Students 

Encourage students to apply who are currently underrepresented in 

U.S. education abroad. 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

16% 

Ethnic minorities 

Students who attend minority-serving institutions 

Students who attend community colleges 

Students with disabilities 

Underrepresented academic majors 

Students who chose to study abroad for an academic year 

4% 

1% 

0% 

15% 

7% 

Black/Non-Hispanic Native American Asian or Pacific 

Islander 

Ethnicity 

17% 

6% 

Gilman Recipients National Study Abroad^ 

(AY 2010-2011) (Open Doors 2009-2010) 

38% 

81% 

8% 

2% 

Hispanic White/Non-Hispanic Multi Racial/Other

Pitfalls to Avoid 

• Not selecting a program that meets 

Gilman eligibility criteria. 

• Not addressing why the study abroad 

location is critical to your goals. 

• Not addressing all the questions asked in 

the essay sections, especially the impact on 

the student. 

• Producing a generic Follow-on Service 

Project that does not demonstrate careful 

planning and a reasonable timeline. 

• Not having your essays proof-read by an 

advisor for spelling and grammatical 

errors.

Selection Process 

Gilman Scholarship Program Deadlines 

Academic Term Deadline Announcements 

Fall & Academic Year March 1st Late May/Early June 

Spring October 2nd Early December 

Summer March 1st Early May 

1. On-campus advisor certifications (Study Abroad & Financial Aid) 

2. Eligibility checks on all applications 

3. Completed applications reviewed by international educators & 

administrators 

www.iie.org/gilman

Sponsored by: U.S. Department of State 


fulbright.state.gov 

Administered by: 

Institute of International Education (IIE) 

www.iie.org

I. Know the Program 

For more information, visit: 

• Mission and goals 

• Program Design 

• Eligibility factors 

• Preference factors 

• Selection criterion 

http://us.fulbrightonline.org

Fulbright Program 

About… Goal 

Senator J. William Fulbright 

ARKANSAS 

• 1946: Created by U.S. Congress 

• Student Program administered 

in U.S. by IIE 

• Administered overseas by 

NGOs and U.S. embassies 


http://us.fulbrightonline.org 

To increase mutual 

understanding between 

people of the U.S. and 

people of other 

countries through 

exchange

Two Types of Grants 

U.S. Student Program 

Research/Study Grant 

• 1,000 awards 

• 8-12 months 

• ~140 countries 

• Independent research, study, 

or arts projects abroad 

• Limited experience in host 

country 



English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) 

• 600 awards 

• 8-12 months 

• ~70 countries 

• Help teach English and U.S. culture in 

the classroom 

• Limited experience in host country

Research / Study Grants 



General Qualifications 

• A well-developed project and/or 

study plan 

• High level of academic and/or 

professional achievement 

• Sufficient language proficiency 

(varies by country) 

• Demonstrated leadership ability 

• Community engagement—service 

orientation

English Teaching Assistantship 



Improve students’ understanding of 

English language & U.S. culture 

• Assistant teach 20-30 hours/week 

• Excellent communication skills 

• Flexibility, adaptability, openness 

• Demonstrated leadership & service

II. Know the Application 



• Application components 

• Application instructions 

• Supplementary materials 

• Application deadlines

Application Components 

1. Basic Personal Data 

2. Essays 

• Statement of Purpose 

Research/Study: 2 pg max 

ETA: 1 pg max 

• Personal Statement (1 pg max) 

3. Reports / References 

• Language Report 

• Three (3) References 

4. Transcripts 

5. Other 

• Research/Study: Affiliation Letter(s) 

• Arts: Supplementary Materials 


http://us.fulbrightonline.org

Application Timeline 

Design Project, 

Prepare Application 

Campus Deadline 

IIE Application Deadline 

National Screening Committees 

Commissions/Embassies 

Foreign Scholarship Board 

Final Notification 



May - Sept 

Sept / Oct 

October 17 

Nov / Dec 

Jan - May 

Mar - June

III. Proofing and Feedback 


http://fulbright.state.gov 

• Make sure uploaded documents are 

legible 

• Correct and revise 

• Have COMPLETE application critiqued 


• Print final copy before online 

submission 


• Make sure references are submitted

Utilize the Contacts… 

Topic Area / World Region 

General Inquiries, Arts 

East Asia and Pacific 

Europe and Eurasia (except Germany) 

Germany; South & Central Asia 

Africa and the Middle East 

Canada, Mexico, South America 

Central America & the Caribbean 



Relevant Program Managers 

Walter Jackson (wjackson@iie.org) 

Jonathan Akeley (jakeley@iie.org) 

Rachel Holskin (rholskin@iie.org) 

Cara Doble (cdoble@iie.org) 

Jermaine Jones (jjones@iie.org) 

Jody Dudderar (jdudderar@iie.org) 

Pamela Jennings (pjennings@iie.org)

Connect 

Video 

youtube.com/fulbrightprogram 

vimeo.com/fulbright 

Webinars 

us.fulbrightonline.org 

On Facebook 

facebook.com/fulbright 

Sponsored by: U.S. Department of State 


fulbright.state.gov 

Podcasts 

us.fulbrightonline.org and 

iTunes 

Applicant Blog 

blogs.fulbrightonline.org/usapp 

On Twitter 

@FulbrightPrgrm 

Administered by: 

Institute of International Education (IIE) 

iie.org/fulbright

Ryan Bracken (Boren Award, China 2010-11) 

Emily Jenkins (Critical Language Scholarship, Indonesia 2011) 

Gilman Scholarship 

Deborah Pruce (U.S. Student Fulbright Program, Chile 2007-8)

2012 Forum on Education Abroad Annual Conference

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?