The Vietnam Education Foundation 2011 Annual Report

Annual Report 2011 Page 127
4. Other Financial Support. VEF will also pay for the following:
a. All costs related to pre-academic English language training, if required by the University. Such
English as a Second Language (ESL) courses must be conducted at the University during the summer
prior to the first fall semester start date. However, a specific performance level in the ESL training
cannot be a condition of admission. VEF does not fund ESL at any other time.
b. All costs related to the Pre-Departure Orientation training conducted in Vietnam by VEF, the visa
application (if any), and a physical exam and required inoculations provided in Vietnam prior to
departure to the United States.
c. Costs of economy-class airfare from Vietnam to the primary airport nearest the University and return
economy-class airfare to Vietnam at the completion of the Fellow’s academic program.
d. A modest settling-in allowance given directly to the Fellow during the VEF Pre-Departure
Orientation in Vietnam to help cover personal incidental expenses in the United States.
5. Annual VEF Fellows and Visiting Scholars Conference. To facilitate interaction among our Fellows and
Visiting Scholars and between our Fellows and the U.S. and Vietnamese scientific community, VEF organizes an
Annual Conference in the United States from January 3-5 at a U.S. university that hosts the Conference. During
the Fellowship period, VEF will pay for the costs for the Fellow to attend the Conference, including round-trip
economy-class airfare, lodging, and a fixed allowance toward expenses. Please facilitate schedules so that our
Fellow is able to attend our VEF Annual Conference.
6. U.S. Government-Sponsored Visa. As a Federal Government agency, VEF serves as the visa sponsor
throughout the Fellow’s academic program in the United States. VEF works closely with the American Embassy
in Hanoi to ensure that the Fellow will be able to enter the United States, prior to the start of the academic year.
The Fellow is given a J-1 visa, with a two-year home-residency requirement after completion of the Fellow's
academic program in the United States.
As we search for the best Vietnamese scholars and prepare them for graduate training in the United States, we
look to top U.S. academic institutions to join us in supporting them. We respectfully ask for your favorable
consideration of [Mr/Ms]. [First Middle Last]. By sharing in our mission, you will not only have the finest alumni
in Vietnam, but you will also help build lasting scientific and educational bridges between the United States and
Vietnam.
Please contact me or Ms. Sandarshi Gunawardena (email: sandarshigunawardena@vef.gov), VEF Senior Program
Officer, at 703-351-5053 if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Lynne McNamara, Ph.D.
Executive Director
3 | P age VEF Financial Support Letter