All posts by kchipman

Summer 2018 Study Abroad Opportunities

Summer is often the perfect time to study abroad – you don’t have to worry about missing required courses at Chatham and you can study a topic that interests you and/ or in a unique location.  There are also many fully or partially-funded study abroad opportunities. We will update this list as more opportunities and applications become available.

2018 Indonesia Summer Studies Program, May 24-August 2, 2018.  This ten week program is held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.  Accepted students will pay $2,000 each for this program, partially funded by the US Indonesia Society (USINDO).  See program details and the application at http://www.usindo.org/grants-fellowships/summer-language-study/ The application deadline is February 8, 2018.

Global Health – International summer program, July 3-July 31, 2018.   This program, taught in English, is based at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Israel. The program consists of two courses, Health in the Age of Globalization (4 credits) and Israeli Public Health Innovation for the world (2 credits) as well as one week on-site practicum, professional field trips, exercises and small groups mentoring, and excursions. Students must have completed their junior year to be eligible.  Applications will be evaluated by an admissions committee. Scholarships are available for outstanding students. The application deadline is February 25, 2018.  Learn more.

University of Roehampton International Summer school, June 7-June 30 and June 28-July 21, 2018.  Just outside central London, England, modules offered at University of Roehampton summer school include Londonopolis, Introduction to the London Stage and Media City and Cultural Capital, Please visit their website to find out more and to apply.  Each session is about $2990 or attend both sessions for about $5735.

When will you study abroad?  For more information about these and other study abroad options, the $1200 study abroad voucher, and study abroad scholarships, stop by the Office of International Affairs, Falk lower level or email internationalaffairs@chatham.edu.

Study abroad scholarships and opportunities roundup!

There are many scholarships and opportunities for study abroad with deadlines approaching…don’t wait, check your eligibility and apply now!

October 3, Gilman Scholarship for Spring 2018 and Summer 2018 (Early Application)

October 11, Bridging Scholarships for Spring 2018 Study in Japan

October 13, Go Overseas – Full Scholarship to Study Abroad in New Zealand

October 17, IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants

October 18, Freeman Asia for study in East or Southeast Asia

November 15, Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for summer 2018

January 15, 2018, Fund for Education Abroad scholarship

February 8, 2018, Boren Scholarship for summer STEM students and semester study abroad (must include language study) 

March 1, 2018, TEAN Full Ride Scholarship (for any summer 2018 or fall 2018 TEAN program)

March 6, 2018, Gilman Scholarship for Summer 2018

When will you study abroad?  Contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu for more information on study abroad options, opportunities and scholarships.

Apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program

While applications for 2018-19 Fulbright grants are due October 6, 2017, it’s not too early to start thinking about applying for 2019-20 grants.

What is the Fulbright U.S. Student Program?

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs.  A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.  For details see https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. Through engagement in the community, the individual will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.  Grant lengths and dates vary by country. Please consult the specific country summary for details.

Who can apply?  

Applicants for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program include:

  • Recent graduates: Graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s-degree recipients have some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience related to the project.
  • Master’s and doctoral candidates: Graduate-level candidates must demonstrate the capacity for independent study or research, together with a general knowledge of the history, culture, and current events of the countries to which they are applying.

For more information,  please contact Chatham University Fulbright Program Advisers:  Karin Chipman kchipman@chatham.edu  or Chris Musick cmusick@chatham.edu.

Study abroad during Maymester 2018

Chatham undergraduates –  Chatham field experiences for Maymester 2018 have been approved and are open for applications. The four options are:

Berlin, Germany and Brussels, Belgium: Identity and Social Policy in the European Union with Dr. Rossbach and Dr. Rubin

Costa Rica:  Special Topics in Sustainability with Dr. Saez

Greece: Discovery Course with Dr. Carrillo and Dr. Lettan

Indonesia: Indonesian Field Experience with Professor Biss and Professor Galford

Full program details, applications, fees and prerequisite requirements are available by clicking the links to the programs above.  The application deadline for MM 2018 programs is 10/16/17.   Please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu with questions.

 

Breakfast On the Cheap: US vs. Japan

By Teri Bradford, Communication ’18

For five US dollars in the states, I’m almost guaranteed processed, sugary, and maybe even greasy breakfast on the go. A sweet yet savory pastry, a coffee with caramel, and maybe some hand fruit to balance it all out is what I’m all about. I perfected that order. So when I toured the Kansai region on the Japan field experience abroad, I was surprised to find a way of eating breakfast that I always wanted to exist, but never knew was possible. For five hundred yen ($4.50 USD), I could get a complete breakfast set that consisted of at least four different subtle yet flavorful foods to dive into before my day began.

Breakfast in Japan

My first breakfast set was at our hostel in Wakayama, Japan called Guesthouse RICO. When they said we’d eat at the hostel I was expecting, I don’t know, Japanese Cheerios? Instead, I was handed a tray with food that looked and was arranged in an aesthetically beautiful way. Pieces of thick, buttery, and fluffy toast accompanied by rich cheese caught my eyes first. Then it was the sweet but bitter Mikan fruit pieces sitting next to our slightly sour yogurt topped with homemade citrus mikan jam made by our Guesthouse RICO hostess herself. Of course it was all pulled together with a warm cup of tea. I gushed over my meal and took too many pictures before diving in and, trust me; it tastes as good as it looks. Every taste bud awakened before 8 AM? That was something I could get used to. Luckily, I had time to do just that because I tasted many versions of this meal over the next 12 days. One breakfast from a little café near the hostel still had the delicious toast that smelled heavenly, but also eggs that weren’t too runny with a dollop of ketchup. There was rich coffee instead of tea, two creamy but light salads with flavorful sauces, and a piece of pork where I expected bacon to be, that was tender and made with care. And of course I had to have one in Osaka for my last breakfast in Japan. It was bread, eggs, coffee, and the perfect send off.

Trying on local attire

Truly comparing Japan to the US involves a complex analysis. But in the case of “what can 5 USD vs. 500 yen get you for breakfast?”, the difference was clear. When I eat out in the US, I’m expecting a bang for my buck meal with as many components as possible, the actual quality being neither here nor there. The Japanese meals were well done, simple, filling, and not overwhelming. They were fresh, cheap, and always way better than I expected for the price. Am I going to replicate the meals at home? I don’t know if I have the time or the skills. Will I keep getting huge bagels that can hardly fit in the toaster (I’m looking at you Café Rachel)? Not as often, that’s for sure. My post-Japan mission has been to find something just as satisfying right in between.

When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.

Study abroad reflections: Taiwan and Japan

An interview with Indigo Baloch (BA Creative Writing and Journalism, 2017) by Sarah Bangley

Indigo studied abroad in Taiwan (Maymester 2016) and Japan (summer of 2016).

MM 2016 field experience students in Taiwan

Sarah Bangley (SB): Did you receive any scholarships?

Indigo Baloch (IB): Because I took more than 6 credits I was able to use both my study abroad voucher ($1200) and the International certificate voucher ($1800), I also received a scholarship from from the institution I was studying at in Japan.

 

SB: Tell me about your experience—what did you enjoy the most?

IB: I loved all of the amazing things that were planned for our trip. On the Maymester to Taiwan, Dr. Kingsbury and Dr. Chung curated so many incredible experiences for us. And my program in Kyoto planned out so many field trips and club meetings—so I could get a very rich idea of the culture and area.

 

SB: Did you travel anywhere fun?

IB: Definitely! On both trips I had countless adventures! My favorite in Taiwan was going to the town of Jiufen. My favorite in Japan was going to the Ghibli Museum with a family friend.

 

SB: What do you miss?

IB: Everything—but especially the food!

 

SB: What large-scale challenges did you face?

IB: I did face a lot of exhaustion. There was a lot to do all the time and I wanted to do it all. However, especially once I started my program in Kyoto, I also had schoolwork to worry about. I wanted to do so many things, but my body couldn’t always keep up with me.

 

SB: What was the take-away from your experience? Do you feel like you’ve changed or grown?

IB: Definitely! I’m so thankful for my time abroad, and thankful to everyone who helped make it possible. Because of my experience, I’d love to teach in Taiwan or Japan some day.

Indigo with friends at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in Japan

SB: How did you discover your study abroad program?

IB: Dr. Kingsbury was the person who told me about the program at Doshisha University in Kyoto. And then the Maymester in Taiwan was planned facilitated by her. I couldn’t have done any of it without her.

 

SB: What words of advice would you give to a student considering the study abroad program?

IB: Think about your goals for your time abroad and sit down with Karin Chipman in the study abroad office.  If there are any gaps or problems, she can help! She will make sure you have the most perfect experience possible.

 

SB: Any final remarks?

IB: I’m so thankful to have gone to a school that really tried to promote studying abroad and I hope more students go for it too.

 

Open Competition for New Fulbright ETA Awards in Brazil – February 2018!!

Just announced:

Open Competition for New Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Awards in Brazil – February 2018!!
Special application open May 2, 2017- July 14, 2017

With funding from the Brazilian government, the Fulbright Brazil ETA Program is expanded for the Program Year 2017-18 with 76 additional grants to be offered.   A special open application period will be held from May 2 to July 14, 2017.  The deadline is Friday, July 14 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

To be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. citizen and hold a bachelor’s degree by July 14, 2017.  Additional requirements/preferences for this program include:

  • Must available for the full grant term: mid-February to November, 2018.
  • Cannot be residing in Brazil for more than three months in the 12 months prior to the grant start. Exception can be made for language immersion program enrollment.
  • Proficiency in a Romance language at the intermediate level (equivalent to 2-years college level study) is required at the time of application.
  • Experience working in an educational environment, specifically with classroom teaching or leadership is strongly preferred..

Persons who applied for a Fulbright U.S. Student Program in the fall 2017 but did not receive a grant offer for 2017-18 are also eligible to apply for this opportunity.  In this case, candidates will create a new application account in Embark with a different email address and complete the full application—respond to all questions, revise and upload new essays, request new Reference Forms (2 are required for this competition), request a Foreign Language Evaluation in one of the required languages, and upload the most recent transcript(s) of all degree level course work.  However, the Campus Committee Interview/Evaluation will not apply.

For further information after May 1, please refer to the Brazil Country Description.  (link to http://us.fulbrightonline.org/countries/selectedcountry/brazil)  If you have specific questions about this opportunity, please feel free to contact Jody Dudderar (jdudderar@iie.org, 845-212-5565) at IIE. Please note there is a separate application for this award that will be found in the country description. Applicants must apply through the appropriate portal to be considered. 

Chatham University encourages students and alumni from all disciplines to apply for a Fulbright grant and hope that you will consider submitting an application. Chatham students and alumni, for support, please contact the Office of International Affairs, internationalaffairs@chatham.edu.

Congratulations 2017 study abroad scholarship recipients!

We are pleased to recognize the following Chatham students who are recipients of the following study abroad scholarships:

Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership – Kelly O’Donnell (Ireland), Carina Stopenksi (South Africa), and Maria Taylor (Morocco)

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship – Sivan Nizan (Costa Rica)

Glenda Rich DeBroff ’60 Memorial Scholarship  – Eden Bloom (Spain)

Theo Colborn-Rachel Carson Endowed Scholarship Award for Environmental Studies – Sivan Nizan (Costa Rica)

Sally Mercke Heym ’63 Memorial Award for Cross Cultural Understanding – Jacqueline Litz (Russia)

Lorin Maazel-Rachel Carson Scholarship Award for Environmental Studies – Sivan Nizan (Costa Rica)

When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.

 

Scholarships for Study Abroad: Gilman Scholarship

Veritas University, Costa Rica

There are many scholarship and fellowship opportunities for students and recent graduates to study, intern and/or do research overseas, including the Gilman scholarship.

The Gilman scholarship is a program of the US Department of State. Named after retired congressman Benjamin A. Gilman from New York,  this scholarship program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a  college or university to use toward study and intern abroad programs worldwide.  Applications for spring 2018 and summer 2018 (early application) study abroad will open in mid-August and will be due in early October.

The program encourages students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries and world regions and to study languages, especially critical need languages (those deemed important to national security and diplomacy).

Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the academic preparedness and impact on the student’s academic and career trajectory; diversity of the student’s background and experience; the student’s choice of program and destination; and the impact to the student’s community.

Sivan Nizan, a junior at Chatham studying Policy Studies  and Sustainability  has been awarded a Gilman scholarship for summer 2017.  She will study Spanish, sustainability and political science at Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica this summer.  Congratulations Sivan!

Costa Rica – pura vida

If you are interested in applying for the Gilman scholarship or other study abroad scholarships or overseas fellowships, please contact the Office of International Affairs so that we may be of assistance.

When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.

My experience studying in Grenoble, France

by Jess Turner

Grenoble France

Traveling alone to Grenoble, France changed my sense of self. Through this experience, I learned to become independent and strong. Everyday, I had to communicate in a new language.

At first, I didn’t have any friends, so I had a lot of alone time. In that alone time, I found a clear identity, and I began to admire myself. After a few weeks in the program, I was able to make friends. I established special connections with people from France, Saudi Arabia, England, South Africa, Mexico, and Spain. These are connections that I will maintain throughout my life.

By the end of the program, I was able to speak and understand the language with confidence. It is such an intimate experience, to be surrounded by a new and beautiful language. I miss hearing it, so, I am excited to go back this summer. I had such a life changing experience that I am currently looking into programs to teach and live in Grenoble. I fell in love with the city—the mountains, the people, the rivers, the food, the wine.

My host mom was a perfect match for me. Each night she made me a home cooked meal. She was very patient with my French, considering that I only speak at an intermediate level. She gave me the perfect amount of space, and she always invited me out with her friends and family.

One of my favorite parts about Grenoble was taking the tram every morning to my university. The ride took about 10 minutes and along the way, I watched the mountains pass by and listened to the people around me chat quietly in French. Altogether, studying abroad changed my life. I wish that I could have stayed longer than 6 weeks, but I am sure that one day, I will call Grenoble home.

Jess Turner studied in France in spring 2017.  When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.