About the author

  • Name: Erin Alisa Guntly
    Occupation: Freelance Writer in Portland, OR
    Graduate Education: M.A. in Commercial Diplomacy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies
    Undergraduate Education: Pacific University
    Major: Modern Languages, with a Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies
    Work Experience: Northwest International Study Exchange, Group Coordinator; Center
    for Nonproliferation Studies Research Assistant; Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
    Languages: German, Russian, Spanish, Japanese
    Awards: National Security Education Program David Boren Fellow in Tokyo and Vladivostok

    This bio was accurate at the time this article was printed.

Obtaining International Fellowships & Scholarships

By Erin Alisa Guntly
This article was printed in Abroad View fall 2004

International study fellowships and scholarships not only provide a great deal of independence and flexibility, but they can also serve as a springboard for international careers. Luckily, opportunities for international fellowships and scholarships are not unobtainable. Securing this chance-of-a-lifetime experience simply requires early planning, research and a well-prepared application.

Scholarships and fellowships differ from traditional study abroad programs in funding and content. While traditional study abroad requires participants to pay their expenses, fellows and scholars are funded, normally for tuition, fees, tickets and room and board. Often other costs such as books and materials can be included as well. Scholars and fellows have more latitude over where they go, which institutions they affiliate with and the progress of their programs. Fellowships and scholarships are not work programs; there is no set of tasks for participants to accomplish. They are study opportunities in which the participant has the autonomy to take control and the responsibility to make it work.

The first task of international fellows and scholars is to design a program of study. The program will answer questions such as organizational affiliation, living arrangements, methods of study, travel requirements and academic purposes. Some of these questions will be answered by the sponsoring organization. For example, in some countries, Fulbright limits affiliation to approved universities, and the National Security Education Program does not fund projects in Western Europe.

A good place to start looking for opportunities is the Institute for International Education, the administrator of the Fulbright program. This and similar web sites have links to various programs and allow you to search by region, specialty, undergraduate or postgraduate support, duration and amount of stipend. Some fellowships, such as Fulbright and Rotary, are also available to applicants without university affiliation.

Planning ahead is critical to succeeding with these kinds of funding opportunities. Departure dates are often nine to 15 months after applications are due, and preparing a solid application can take two or three months. Most applications are due in the fall, from October to January, though some are due as early as May.

When choosing a sponsoring program, it is important to read the fine print. Some federally-funded programs have a service commitment after graduation. Others have speaking commitments before, during and after a scholar’s term of support. Some programs are limited in their support, and some have stringent reporting practices during the scholar’s time abroad. While these terms and conditions are usually not decisive in choosing which program is best, applicants should be aware of the commitment expected by the supporting organization. Factors that are decisive usually concern destination country, language requirements, potential fields of study, duration and other program-related issues.

Once a potential scholar has chosen a program and is aware of its requirements, he or she must design a program of study. A well-designed program will include verifiable details that demonstrate that the scholar has done his or her research and that the program is viable. Consider the difference between the following two statements:

"I intend to study Kazakh at a language school in Kazakhstan."

"I will begin my program abroad with a month-long private intensive course in Kazakh at the University of Alma Ata’s Department of Language and Literature, which will provide a foundation for beginning my research."

The first sentence presents a nice statement of intent, but the second shows that the scholar has a clear agenda and has taken the time to research his or her program.

This level of detail—listing approximate dates, specific organizations and locations and achievable goals—can mean the difference between a worthy applicant and a successful scholar. The litmus test is viability: Can you accomplish what you say you want to accomplish? The application is the only chance to prove that a program is feasible, and the inclusion of details helps sell the package: names of relevant nonprofits and organizations, overseas contacts doing related work, a general timeline and travel dates, goals for each phase of the program and an explanation as to how this program fits into your broader educational agenda. It is also important to have made contact with the people and institutions that you mention. This can be as simple as an email describing your program and asking for a tentative meeting, but it demonstrates that you can do what you describe. Some applications require documented evidence that your program is viable, in which case copies of letters and emails are critical.

Evidence is also important if part of the application involves a budget. Any program-related expense can be requested in a budget, including computer equipment and climate-specific clothing, but it has to be verified by printouts of ticket prices, course tuition and room and board costs.

One final issue is language. For some countries English is sufficient; for some sponsoring programs, language study is included. More advanced language requirements need not be a deterrent, however. Many of the world’s languages are not taught at U.S. universities, and it is understandable that few Americans have a command of Mongolian or Swahili. Finding a tutor, private course or even self-study materials and describing these efforts in an application can demonstrate an earnest commitment to language study. Unless it is specifically prohibited, including a few hours a week of additional study in your program can also reflect your sincerity. Both measures show that you are realistic in assessing your language needs.

International fellowships and scholarships are a chance of a lifetime, and they are available to everyone who is willing to plan ahead, do the research and design a program that suits their goals. AV

5 Myths of Fellowships and Scholarships

1. They are only for policy people. Many sponsors encourage applicants from the arts and from hard sciences. Disciplines include dance, biology, music and engineering.

2. They are only for Ph.D. candidates. Fellowships tend to be for postgraduates, including Ph.D. candidates, but scholarships tend to be offered to undergrads or recent graduates. Advanced study sponsors often have a related program for junior scholars.

3. Participants can only go to certain countries and regions. Sponsors do have geographic limitations, but the wealth of programs ensures that almost anywhere is a potential destination. It is a question of finding the right program.

4. Only fluent speakers are considered. Some sponsors require fluency prior to departure; others will fund beginning language study as part of a scholar’s program.

5. You must be affiliated with a university. Some major programs, notably Rotary and Fulbright, accept and encourage at-large applicants. Other programs are available to recent graduates.