Category Archives: Announcement
Apply for full scholarship to study abroad in summer 2021!
Ready to change the world? Apply for the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, a full scholarship to study abroad with a cohort of student leaders from around the country.
The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship was founded to empower students of color with a transformative experience abroad, much like Frederick Douglass was inspired by his travels. All program fees are covered, as well as airfare.
This year’s cohort is co-sponsored by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Douglass’s four-month journey around Ireland. You’ll be based in Dublin and visit other cities where Douglass campaigned, while meeting with government leaders and social justice activists.
The application is open to first-, second- and third-year students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are from ethnic backgrounds typically underrepresented on study abroad programs.
This opportunity is offered by CIEE, a student exchange organization whom Chatham partners with. As a next step, start your application at www.CIEE.ORG/FDGF. (If you enter your name and email, you’ll receive updates before the February 14, 2021 deadline.) All eligible students who submit an application also qualify for a $1,500 scholarship towards any CIEE summer program.
Questions? Email FDGF@ciee.org
Chatham’s Office of International Affairs (internationalaffairs@chatham.edu) is available to support students and answer questions related to this opportunity as well as other study abroad scholarships and post-graduation fellowships.
October Immigration Updates from ISSS
October Immigration Updates
DHS Proposal to eliminate D/S
On September 25, 2020, a proposed rule was published to the Federal Register that would, if finalized, impact students and scholars on F and J visa status. The proposed rule seeks to eliminate D/S (duration of status) for these visa types, and instead implement date-specific admission. This impacts many aspects of international student and exchange visitor programs, including: limitations on how long a student can study, reduction of the F-1 grace period, required extension applications, and impacts on employment authorization, to name a few.
It is important to note that the proposed rule is not finalized. A period of public comment recently closed on October 26th. Members of the Chatham community, including OIA, submitted comments opposing the proposed rule change.
Additional information on the proposed rule change, as well as current updates, can be found on the NAFSA interest site.
USCIS Fee Rule injunction (important for those filing OPT applications)
On September 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a nationwide preliminary injunction and stay on implementation of the 2020 final USCIS fee rule in its entirety. New fees and form versions associated with that rule that were to be required on October 2, 2020, as well as all other aspects of the rule, are now on hold while the injunction is in place. Read the court’s order.
Based on the court injunction, USCIS is blocked from implementing the fee increase and new forms. As you are preparing to file an OPT application, or STEM-extension application, you will be able to use the current fees ($410) and the current form (issued 8/25/20) for your I-765 application.
OIA will keep you updated on the outcomes of these items. If you have any questions, please contact us at InternationalAffairs@Chatham.edu
Chatham Summer 2021 Field Experiences
Chatham Summer 2021 Field Experiences are now open for application! Program options are:
Costa Rica: Education and Social Work for Sustainability, Dr. Bell and Dr. Cunningham
Cyprus: Exploring Environmental Extremes, Dr. Carrillo
Cyprus: Special Topics – Politics of Cyprus, Dr. Rossbach
Taiwan: Fulbright Taiwan Tunghai Program, Dr. Kingsbury and Dr. Tippen
Please click on the above links for program and application information. The application deadline is 12/2/2020.
Important Notes:
- At this time, Summer 2021 field experiences are conditionally approved and will only run if health and safety conditions, including visa and entry restrictions, US Dept. of State Travel Advisory and CDC Travel Health Notice for each location, permit. Chatham does not approve study abroad to US Dept. of State locations with a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory; or to locations with a CDC Travel Health Notice of Level 3. Restrictions on entry, including quarantine and testing requirements, and other travel conditions may also affect Chatham’s ability to offer these field experiences.
- Chatham will announce a decision on if summer 2021 study abroad will be permitted in January 2021. There is no risk or cost to students in applying for a summer field experience. Deposits for students participating in these field experiences would not be due until after the January 2021 announcement.
- Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, conditions may require changes to field experience programs, including program dates, cost, facilities, activities, transportation, and itinerary. Students considering participating in these field experiences will need to be flexible, understand the risks of participation, and will be required to agree to health and safety protocols and any restrictions put in place by Chatham, in-country partners, and country, regional and local agencies. Chatham is monitoring travel conditions and is working closely with in-country partners for updates on current protocols, restrictions and health and safety information. Chatham is committed to transparency in communicating information that may affect these field experience programs.
- Students may apply their $1,200 study abroad voucher toward any of these field experiences. This one-time voucher is available to each undergraduate student who has 30+ credits, at least 15 of which have been completed at Chatham. Students do not need to apply for the study abroad voucher; it is applied to your Chatham account for the term in which you study abroad, reducing the amount you pay by $1,200. For the Cyprus and Taiwan field experiences, students completing an International Studies Certificate may apply their $1,800 certificate funding toward the program cost. For more information the International Studies Certificates, please see the Certificate checklists at https://my.chatham.edu/tools/_departments/advising/checklists/
- Students may apply for Chatham experiential learning scholarships which offer summer funding (application deadline is 2/28/21). These awards are competitive as funding is limited. Please see https://chatham.edu/academics/international-programs/scholarships-and-vouchers.html
- Students who receive Federal Pell grants may be eligible to use Pell funding toward summer programs of 6 or more credits (please contact Office of Financial Aid for details of your award) and should consider applying for a Gilman Scholarship for additional funding (there are two application deadlines -10/6/20 and early March 2021 for summer 2021 study abroad).
Join the Zoom Q&A on Summer 2021 Chatham Field Experiences on Friday October 9, 12:30-1:30 pm. See https://my.chatham.edu/happenings/details.cfm?EventID=28393 to register for this Zoom meeting.
Questions? Please reach out to field experience faculty leaders and/ or internationalaffairs@chatham.edu
Virtual Study Abroad Fair
Our study abroad fair is virtual this year! Learn about in-person and virtual study, internship and research programs, and plan for your international experience.
Drop in at your convenience to learn more about opportunities abroad through Chatham, partner institutions, and providers.
Find out more information about upcoming summer abroad opportunities and scholarships
Free to attend! Fair open times are: Sept 21-24 (11-4 pm) | Oct 19-22 (11-4 pm) | Nov 16-19 (11-4 pm)
Register at https://lunafairs.com/study-abroad/virtual-fair/?university=Chatham%20University
Questions? Reach out to internationalaffairs@chatham.edu
Scholarship opportunities for international experiences!
Looking for a funded experience abroad or for funding towards an international experience? Check out these opportunities with deadlines approaching!
Gilman International Scholarship, deadline October 6, 11:59 PM, PT. The Gilman International Scholarship is a program of the US Department of State for US citizens who are Federal Pell Grant recipients to enable them to study or intern abroad. The program provides awards of up to $5,000 for participation in in-person or virtual international programs. This cycle is for in person or virtual programs that are at least 21 days in length, with a start date between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Program for Women in Global Leadership, deadline November 1 at 4:00 PM ET . The VIH program prepares scholars for tomorrow’s global challenges by offering a unique opportunity for international experiences, leadership development, and community service. Three first-time woman travelers from each member institution, including Chatham, are admitted into the program and receive a scholarship of at least $5,000 to put toward the cost of an international experience of their choosing.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), deadline November 17, 8:00 PM ET. CLS, a program of the US Department of State, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. The program is fully funded and includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
If you have any questions, or need support with your application, please reach out to internationalaffairs@chatham.edu.
Fulbright Canada Internship program
The application is now open for the Fulbright Canada- Mitacs Globalink internship program that will allow exceptional U.S. undergraduate students to do an internship in Canada during the 2021 summer semester.
This program will provide high performing students with the opportunity to be part of a 10 to 12-week research internship under the supervision of Canadian university faculty members in a variety of academic disciplines, from science, engineering and mathematics to the humanities and social sciences.
The application deadline is Sept 30 2020.
Fulbright Canada – Mitacs Globalink program
Program Summary
- U.S. students will come to Canada to undertake advanced research projects.
- Projects will cover a broad cross-section of research topics including most academic disciplines.
- Students will spend 10 to 12 weeks (May – October) in Canada on a research project in their area of interest.
- Students will be placed at a Canadian university and undertake a supervised research project.
- Students will have extensive opportunities for cultural, social, and recreational experiences.
Eligibility
Participants in this program must:
- be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited university located in the United States ;
- be a United States citizen, and hold a valid U.S. passport;
- have at least one semester remaining in their program of study as of Fall 2021 (this program is not suitable for 1st-year NOR last year students);
- ideal candidates will be in their third year in the 20/21 academic year;
- have a competitive grade point average;
- be available to spend between 10 to 12 weeks in Canada between May and August;
- apply by September 30, 2020 at 10 PM EST
Benefits
Students who participate in this program will have:
- access to the prestigious worldwide Fulbright network (the Globalink program will not impact the eligibility to apply for Fulbright Student programs);
- access to some of Canada’s top research facilities;
- the opportunity to gain valuable international experience;
- a rewarding experience combining academic research, professional skills, and personal growth; and,
- a grant in the amount of CAD$7800
To apply, students must provide:
- a completed application online form;
- unofficial transcripts from their home university or college;
- a two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- two letters of reference (to be submitted by Sept 30)- see submission details here;
- a one-page personal statement- no final project needs to be identified at this time.
The program is highly competitive. Students will be evaluated on a combination of factors including:
- their record of academic achievement,
- their personal statement,
- their current skills and interests
- fit to program
- letters of recommendation
Further information:
- Email for Information requests: globalink@fulbright.ca
- Program website and application instructions available here
- Register here for the August 12- 3 PM EST webinar Fulbright-MITACS Globalink- Submit a competitive application
- Candidates can see past projects on this page and confirm if anything has been done in that particular field. In the Search Projects section, select +MORE FILTERS and under programs select Globalink.
Interested Chatham undergraduate students should reach out to the Office of International Affairs at internationalaffairs@chatham.edu with any questions and/or for application support.
Social Distancing Activities – Engage with OIA and each other- win prizes!
As we move into summer 2020- it may be challenging to engage with each other, while keeping up the necessary social distancing.
The Office of International Affairs has put together a list of fun, and interactive, activities to participate in- and possibly win some prizes!
Below is a list of (20) things that you can easily do while social distancing. When you complete a task, post a picture (tagging OIA) or share with us. Each level complete, will lead to fantastic Prizes!
Share your tasks by tagging us on Instagram (Chatham_OIA or #ChathamOIA), Facebook (ChathamOIA), or by emailing us at InternationalAffairs@chatham.edu .
A downloadable PDF can be accessed here: OIA social distancing chart
Many of our activities will be listed on this blog, or on MyChatham Happenings!
Questions? Contact us at InternationalAffairs@Chatham.edu
Fulbright US Student Program 2021-2022 grant competition
Teach English in Malaysia? Conduct research in Brazil? Study in a graduate program in the UK? These opportunities and more are possible and funded through the Fulbright US Student Program 2021-2022 grant competition! Students who will hold an undergraduate degree by August 2021 can apply for a funded grant to teach English, study in a graduate program or conduct research in one of 140+ countries worldwide. Attend an upcoming or recorded webinar to learn more!
The grant competition is now open. The online application closes at 5 pm EST on October 13, 2020.
OIA is here to support you by email and with Zoom advising meetings as you explore Fulbright opportunities and throughout the application process. Please reach out to internationalaffairs@chatham.edu for more information.
Update on Opportunities Abroad
Summer 2020 update: We know you can’t travel physically right now, but you can engage with the world without leaving home, and:
- earn credits, with costs as low as $750 per 3 credit course
- complete an internship
- make global connections
Chatham undergraduates may use their study abroad voucher toward these credit-bearing programs! Click links below for virtual courses and internships around the world through Chatham partners and providers:
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CAPA online courses and virtual internships
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CEA virtual internships
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CIEE virtual internships and online courses
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CIS Abroad virtual internships
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Global Experiences virtual internships
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IFSA online internships and classes
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ISA virtual internships
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Universidad Nebrija online courses in English and Spanish
Fall 2020 update – OIA is continually checking in with partners and assessing program availability and safety. At this time, many Fall 2020 study abroad programs are scheduled to proceed. We are advising students to register for Fall 2020 courses at Chatham as a backup in the event that study abroad is not possible.
Check out Chatham’s study abroad opportunities for study in ten countries!
For more information on registering for opportunities abroad and using your study abroad voucher, email internationalaffairs@chatham.edu for guidance!