December 21, 2011
Welcome to the University of Richmond Study Abroad Newsletter for spring semester 2012.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Exciting new programs in many different regions of the world
- Incentive grants and scholarships
- Upcoming application deadlines
WHY NOT STUDY ABROAD?
Each year, hundreds of UR students are chosen to go abroad for a semester or a year to take classes at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Through study abroad, students have a unique opportunity to develop highly valued intercultural skills and to enhance or acquire foreign language skills needed for today’s global economy. They have all kinds of travel experiences and adventures. Most return home with greater maturity, experience, increased marketability, and a lifetime of memories…why would you not study abroad?
STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION DEADLINES
Students who wish to study abroad for fall 2012 or the 2012/2013 academic year need to apply by these dates:
- London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) or Oxford (both programs available for academic year only): January 16, 2012
- Other programs: January 23, 2012
Our online application allows you to begin an application, save it, and return to it and finish it later. To learn more about the process, click here.
SPECIAL INFO SESSION ON AUSTRALIA JANUARY 17
Students interested in studying in Australia for fall 2012 or the 2012/2013 academic year are invited to an information session January 17 at 5 p.m., INTC, suite 103. Learn about the various program options and the application process. This session can substitute for an individual meeting with Chris Klein, advisor for Australia. Please note that the deadline to apply for study abroad in Australia is January 23. Contact Chris Klein for additional information.
GENERAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
You are required to attend an information session in the INTC, Office of International Education (OIE), suite 103 before meeting with an advisor or before submitting your application to study abroad for a semester or year (Note: Students applying for programs with applications due before the semester begins can speak to an OIE advisor by phone; call 804-287-1849). During the session, an OIE advisor will explain the UR policies on study abroad, credit transfer, and financial aid. The advisor will also offer guidance in choosing a program and deciding when to go abroad. It is not recommended that students miss class in order to attend an information session. Please see the scrolling announcements in the left menu of the study abroad home page for the most up-to-date schedule.
NEW UR SEMESTER ABROAD PROGRAMS
The Office of International Education (OIE) is constantly adding options for Richmond students.- Australia – University of Sydney - Richmond's newest partner institution. The University of Sydney was Australia’s first university, established 1850. It is a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight organization, sometimes compared to the US Ivy League. Most exchange participants will study at the Camperdown/Darlington Campus, like a small, self-contained town within Sydney, a 15-minute bus ride from the city center. The University of Sydney is a large institution (49,000 students) offering a very comprehensive range of subjects. In addition to Humanities, Business and Science subjects, it has a School of Law, and offers art and music classes through its Sydney College of Arts and a music conservatorium; Richmond students will have no shortage of rewarding choices here.
- Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad – University of the West Indies (UWI) - UWI is the oldest and most prestigious university in the Caribbean. Students can study at one of three campuses in three different countries and take courses in a wide range of subjects. On campus accommodation is available at all three locations. Richmond students will have the opportunity to join in diverse cultural, social and athletic activities.
- Botswana – University of Botswana, Gaborone - The UB is Richmond’s first exchange partner in Africa. Botswana is an African success story – peaceful and prosperous, with a stable government and a free press. Take a wide variety of classes (all taught in English) in subjects as diverse as History, English, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, African Studies and Pre-Med.
- France – CIEE Paris Critical Studies - The Critical Studies Program is meant for students with an interest in contemporary French thought on literature, film, philosophy, art, and aesthetics. All instruction in French. The program aspires to enabling students to engage in high level academic discourse in a range of intellectual fields.
- France – Sciences-Po, Paris - Sciences-Po is a world-renowned university, one of the world's best institutions for political science, law and other social science areas. It is located in the Left Bank area of Paris. The university's alumni include Nicolas Sarkozy (current President of France), Pascal Lamy (former Director-General of World Trade Organization), Boutros Boutros-Ghali (former Secretary-General of the United Nations). No French language requirement applies. Classes in French as a foreign language offered at all levels throughout the semester. NOTE: The stated GPA requirement is 3.50 but there is some flexibility with this.
- France – Université Paris Dauphine - Dauphine is a highly prestigious and selective university, specializing in business, management and economics. Its business curriculum, which is EQUIS accredited, is one of the best in Europe. Many courses are taught in English. Intensive French classes are offered at the beginning of each semester.
- India – CIEE Mumbai International Business & Culture - The program takes place at the CIEE Study Center at the Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research in Mumbai. Gain a global perspective on business and the business sector in India through English-taught business courses taken with local students, a seminar focusing on current business trends and Indian culture, intercultural training workshops, and a beginner’s-level Hindi language course. Note: Robins School of Business students may transfer credit from only one business course towards business degree requirements.
- Ireland – new options at University College Dublin (UCD) - Expanded study opportunities are now available at University College, Dublin. The program will be available to all majors, meaning that students can study subjects as varied as humanities, science and law. On-campus housing is available.
- Israel – University of Haifa - Study at a liberal arts university in the beautiful and diverse coastal city of Haifa. The university’s International School offers a wide range of classes taught in English. Special features include Peace and Conflict Studies, an honors program in Psychology, a Global Law program (law students only), and language study in Hebrew or Arabic. Students live in secure, on-campus housing with students from Israel and many other countries. Internships and service opportunities also available.
- Morocco – IES Rabat - The IES Rabat program offers many opportunities. Study Arabic on the beginning, intermediate, or advanced levels. Take courses on North African and Islamic Studies topics in either French or English. Gain a unique cultural perspective and practical work experience from an internship with a local organization, school, or business. Learn about daily life in Morocco from studying alongside Moroccan students at a local university, or from conversing over dinner with a host family in an (optional) home stay. No language prerequisite applies.
- The Netherlands – IES Amsterdam - This program offers two tracks: one for Gender/Sexuality Studies and another for Studio Art (Studio Art students need to be working at an advanced, independent level and must be prepared to submit a portfolio and video interview). Both tracks include a Dutch language course. Set in Amsterdam, a city of around 765,000, offering the charm of a small city with the rich cultural life of a large city.
- The Netherlands – Maastricht University, Faculty of Law - The Maastricht University Faculty of Law offers UR law students the opportunity to take courses in English alongside their Dutch peers in a variety of areas of law, with a focus on International Law, European Law, and Human Rights. The medium-sized city of Maastricht is well located near the borders with Germany and Belgium – convenient for exploration of continental Europe.
- Multiple locations – International Honors Program - The IHP offers a rigorous curriculum utilizing experiential learning, site visits, and case studies to examine the global issues of the 21st century. Affiliated with the School for International Training (SIT), the IHP program allows students to examine a thematic topic in multiple countries during the semester or year abroad (countries visited depends on program selected).
PROGRAMS FOR SOPHOMORES
The mission of UR’s study abroad team is to send as many students as possible on rewarding experiences abroad. We now offer more programs than ever before that are open to second-semester sophomores. Speak with a study abroad advisor for details.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDY ABROAD
Office of International Education (OIE) ScholarshipOpen to all students participating in UR semester/year abroad programs. Awards based on financial need and merit; minor service requirement applies. Application requires students to submit a budget sheet. Contact the Study Abroad team with questions. Applications will be due in September or October for spring abroad, or in March for fall and academic year abroad. Visit the UR Scholarships for study abroad page for more information.
Bridging Scholarships
For study in Japan. Application deadline for fall 2012/year 2012-13 is April 6, 2012. Majors in any field are eligible. Prior Japanese language study is not required. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and full time undergraduates at a US college or university. Semester and year-long abroad students can be awarded up to $2,500 and $4,000 in scholarship money respectively. Click here for details.
Freeman-ASIA Program
Aims to increase the number of US undergrad students studying in East and Southeast Asia. Service component required. Awards are $3,000 for summer abroad, $5,000 for semester abroad, and $7,000 for academic year abroad. Click here for details and application. Application deadlines: February 15, 2012 for summer awards and April 4, 2012 for fall 2012 and 2012-13 academic year awards. Interested students should contact Amy Bergmann, as advisor certification is required.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The largest study abroad scholarship program in the nation, the Gilman funds over 2000 students each year, with awards up to $5000 each. Applicants must be eligible for a Pell grant. Preference given to those studying in non-Western countries. Application deadline for summer 2012/fall 2012/2012-13 academic year awards is March 1, 2012. Interested students should contact Amy Bergmann, as this award is competitive and assistance can be given with the application process. Click here for details and the application.
National Security Education Program (NSEP Boren)
NSEP Boren Scholarships provide support to US undergraduates studying languages and cultures that are not commonly studied by Americans and that are critical to US national security. US government service is required upon graduation. World regions included are Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Maximum award is $10,000/semester or $20,000/academic year (summer + semester is also an option, as are limited summer-only awards). There is also a specific African Languages Initiative through which students can apply for additional language training in Bambara, Swahili, Yoruba, or Zulu. Instructional webinars are available; click here for the schedule. Interested students should contact Amy Bergmann for application details and deadlines.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC GRANTS TO GET YOU ABROAD!
The OIE will provide grants to all students who are approved to take part in the following programs:• University of Botswana – $2000
• Warsaw School of Economics – $3000
FINANCIAL AID
If you are receiving federal, state or UR aid, it will be applied to UR semester/year abroad programs. For UR semester/year abroad programs, the OIE also provides each student with a travel allowance to defray the cost of your travel. We also reimburse students for the cost of your passport, student visa and residence fee abroad, when applicable. We will reimburse you for the cost of joining a gym (if exercise facilities are not available at your host university) up to $200 per semester and we may reimburse you for pre-approved academic and cultural excursions up to a maximum of $500 per semester. You can read about these and other sources of support by clicking on our page concerning Financial Aid for study abroad.
NOTE FOR ALL SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS: Be aware that you cannot be awarded funding above your demonstrated educational costs (i.e., personal travel or expenses, sightseeing, etc.).
WANT TO HAVE A GREAT TIME ABROAD? START SAVING MONEY NOW!
Did you know that the single greatest non-billed expense on study abroad is...fun? Like weekend trips, and other entertainment.When Richmond students go on study abroad, you get a bill for tuition (from UR), and a bill for housing (usually from your university abroad or a local apartment owner), and of course you expect to pay for food. You can know the amounts of all of these expenses, or at least estimates of them, in advance.
But we can't tell you what you will spend on leisure travel and other entertainment. The amounts vary greatly from program to program, and from person to person. We can't really estimate an amount that you should take to cover your weekend trips to Helsinki, or to the Great Barrier Reef, or to the Great Wall. But we can give you two pieces of advice:
• Talk to a variety of former study abroad participants about what they each spent on travel & other fun while abroad.
• Start saving NOW. And before holidays & birthdays, make strategic requests for cash in lieu of other gifts.
Bon voyage!
MEET VISITING PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVES
The OIE hosts international visitors frequently and many of them do information sessions about their home universities and/or the study abroad programs they represent. Attending these sessions is a great way to learn about Richmond’s many options abroad. In the last few months, we have been visited by colleagues from…
• University of Botswana
• University of Haifa (Israel)
• Université Catholique de Lille (France)
• University of Warwick (England)
• University of St Andrews (Scotland)
• IES-Rabat (Morocco)
• ESSEC (France)
• University of East Anglia (England)
• University of the West Indies (Trinidad campus)
• University of Sydney (Australia)
…and many more!
Watch your email for invitations to meet other visitors in the months to come.
