Meet One of our Summer 2014 Gilman Scholarship Recipients #hogsabroad

What does earning this scholarship mean to you?

When looking at scholarships for study abroad, compared to some of the other applications I completed, the Gilman Scholarship was the one that looked the most formidable. With so much information required and documents that had to be scanned, I wondered if I should really commit to filling it out. I am happy to report that it was well worth it. It took some time to gather everything, but the application was not as difficult task as it had seemed. The part that required the most effort was the essay. In order to be successful in the essay, you have to express you and your need as well as your dedication to study abroad and international relations. I would recommend working with a study abroad adviser on the essays because they know what Gilman judges are looking for and are here to help you. I know I couldn't have written a paper that awarded me money if Meredith McKee had not met with me and helped edit my papers.

Where will you be going abroad, what will you be doing there and how will it impact your academics/degree completion/life goals?

This summer I am going to go study abroad with the University in Japan for a language study in Matsue, Japan and Yokohama, Japan (located 30 minutes away from Tokyo). Our group will be taking Japanese classes as well as doing many activities and excursions with the students at Shimane University and Kanto Gakuin University. Career-wise, I want to eventually end up teaching English in Japan, so I was ecstatic when I got this chance to not only go, but to study Japanese while in Japan! Because we are required to a follow-up project that promotes study abroad or international relations, I will be posting on a blog about my experiences while in Japan and I hope to do a follow-up presentation on campus to encourage other University of Arkansas student to go on the U of A: Intensive Japanese program or simply just to study abroad.

If you are someone who looking for funding for study abroad and receives Pell Grant money, I encourage you to look at this scholarship and talk to Study Abroad advisers. Both the money and the advisers are there to help.

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About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program) offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

12 U of A Students selected as Summer Gilman Scholarship Awardees & Alternates #hogsabroad

Ten University of Arkansas undergraduates have been selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, for their study abroad program during the summer 2014 term.  An additional two undergraduates have been selected as alternates for this scholarship.  

This award allows undergraduate students with high financial need the opportunity to study or participate in an internship abroad, develop valuable career and language skills, and prepare themselves for the global economy while serving as citizen ambassadors in their host country.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad program costs, and a limited number of students will also receive additional funding for language study through the Critical Need Language Awards, for a total award of $8,000.  For more on the Gilman Scholarship, visit www.iie.org/gilman.

My Incredible Study Abroad Experience #hogsabroad

Amy James participated in the U of A Community Development in Belize trip in the summer of 2013.

How and why did you choose your specific program(s)?

·         When I began to look into study abroad, I didn’t have very much travelling experience. I became interested in the study to Belize because there wasn’t a language barrier and I thought that a faculty led experience would be helpful. Going to Belize is three weeks in country, which was a perfect length of time! All of these reasons helped me to feel comfortable in my first study abroad and made for an incredible experience!

How did your experiences abroad contribute to your overall education, especially in your field?

·         Working in Belize provided learning opportunities and hands on experience that I could not have gotten from studying in a classroom. One of the most valuable things I learned was how to understand the importance of health disparities. When speaking with a patient in Belize, it is a completely different experience than at home. I learned how to understand the differences in culture and general health knowledge, which is something that I know will be applicable to my future career.

Why would you suggest your program(s) to others?

·         Studying abroad taught me so much in just a short amount of time! Even though you may spend an entire semester studying for a certain class, the skills I gained from Belize in three weeks are irreplaceable. I was able to receive upper level honors biology credit, but there will never be a good way to classify what is learned when studying in another country. This study abroad was relaxed, but you could make the experience be all that you wanted it to be. You can learn about medicine practices and education from an entirely new perspective, all while experiencing a unique culture.

For information about the programs discussed in Amy’s interview, contact the Study Abroad Office (studyabr@uark.edu)!

How Study Abroad Can Work For You! #hogsabroad

Recently the Study Abroad Office partnered with the Career Development Center to show students how experiences gained abroad can benefit them in the near future. Skills and attributes developed by international study can translate to an improved resume and cover letter, as well as the ability to stand out of a crowd of applicants when applying for graduate programs or jobs.

The workshop reviewed and discussed the following relevant articles online:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/travel/irpt-study-abroad/index.html?iref=allsearch

http://www.skidmore.edu/ocse/coming_back/resume.php

 http://www.gooverseas.com/blog/study-abroad-resume-tips

These articles presented information of the value of international study and how to incorporate it into your applications and resumes.

The workshop showed a presentation by the Career Development Center over an example resume and cover letter that properly includes study abroad experiences and international knowledge. Handouts were given to follow along with the presentation, giving examples of great resumes and cover letters exhibiting integrated study abroad experiences. The following are copies of the helpful handouts: 

For more information about the Workshop’s contents, please contact Kathleen Connery at kconnery@uark.edu. For more information about study abroad programs at the University of Arkansas, please visit the Study Abroad Office website (http://studyabroad.uark.edu/).

A Moment with a Study Abroad Veteran: Kelly Williams #hogsabroad

Kelly Williams, Nursing Major

U of A Health Teams Abroad in Sweden

U of A Tanzania: The Political, Social, and Natural History of East Africa

How and why did you choose your specific program(s)?

·         I choose my program because I knew I wanted to do something short-term, in the summer, and with faculty I could make really good connections with here in Fayetteville!

How did your experiences abroad contribute to your overall education, especially in your field?

·         My trip to Tanzania contributed to my education by giving me an open mind. I wouldn't say it was exactly related to my career path (Nursing) but experiencing a different culture in such an interesting way broadened my perspective on how I approach dealing with all types of people, an invaluable experience. As for my trip to Sweden, I realized I did not know very much about the United States healthcare system so what better way to learn about it then spending a month comparing it to Sweden?! Even though the trip was directly meaningful to my career path, the most meaningful experiences came from experiencing the culture.

Why would you suggest your program(s) to others?

·         Because the programs I went on were in the summer, I didn't have to worry about fitting them into my schedule, which was fantastic! I also ended up with extra credits that I could try a minor very easily if I wanted to. Faculty led trips are incredible because you work out all the details through the University (no third parties!), you get a chance to know some incredible faculty in a different way that is not possible strictly on campus, and best of all, you get to experience a country with people that know it best in a very unique way! How many people can say they saw the big 5 in one day on the Serengeti? Or had a traditional Swedish feast in the home of a Swede? Or hiked up to the first base camp of Mount Kilimanjaro? Or trekked with chimpanzees where Jane Goodall did her research? Or lived in a hostel/boat for a week in Stockholm? Studying abroad provides such an amazing opportunity to further your education in a unique way that takes learning outside the classroom and into so many different cultures. Long story short, it rocks!

For information about the programs discussed in Kelly’s interview, contact the Study Abroad Office (studyabr@uark.edu)!

#hogsabroad Frequent Flyer

Fulbright Scholarship Information Meeting, April 24

Silas Hunt Rm. 223 at 4:30 pm

Competition for the 2015-2016 Fulbright Scholarship for U.S. students to study, research or teach English abroad opens May 1^, 2014.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have completed their bachelor’s degree by the time they accept the grant, so rising seniors and graduate students are encouraged to apply. The campus deadline will be September 19, 2014. Come to this information session to learn more! For scholarship details, go to:  http://us.fulbrightonline.org/. To make an appointment with the campus Fulbright Program Advisor, DeDe Long, please contact the Office of Study Abroad, studyabr@uark.edu, or call 575-7582. 

Earth Day Celebration, April 22
Union Mall from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Come by the Union Mall to Celebrate Earth Day with the Office of Sustainability. We will be hosting a table with information on sustainability focused programs!

Last Hogs Abroad 101 Info Session of the Semester, April 30

Looking for a place to start your study abroad journey? Consider attending one of our Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions. The info sessions are offered on Tuesday and Wednesday and last approximately 45 minutes. All sessions will take place at 4pm in the Foreign Language Lab, J.B. Hunt 207. The last Hogs Abroad 101 Session of the semester is on Wednesday, April 30! Start making plans now! Check our website calendar (http://studyabroad.uark.edu/Calendars_and_Deadlines.html) for dates!

#hogsabroad

Follow #hogsabroad to see pictures and videos from students who are currently studying abroad! Check it out https://tagboard.com/hogsabroad!

Lima Lima #hogsabroad

After two weeks in Peru I have eaten two of what Sebastian says are the three definitive Peruvian dishes. (I’ve eaten chifa and pollo a la brasa and am missing ceviche). I have survived an allergic reaction to a bug bite and unboiled water (ALWAYS boil the water). And I can make brief statements in Spanish sometimes with correctly conjugated verbs but most times not. 

Lima, so far, has been a pleasant experience. The people are friendly and helpful. I have kissed more cheeks in the past two weeks than the rest of my life combined. My host family is one of the sweetest families you will ever meet, and the staff at the school has been accommodating and kind. Hearing a little voice call, “Miss!” and looking up to see a smiling student has become one of the highlights of my day.

Like any big city Lima has its grime and grunge, but it is also full of wonderful smells. The women smell like flowers. Not the bottle of cheap body spray scent, but the walking through a flower market kind. I must find a way to pack a year’s supply of the shampoo and soap they use in my bag before I leave. The food tastes delicious and smells delicious too. There is fresh produce everywhere and it tastes better than any apple I’ve had from an American supermarket. And when in Miraflores the fragrance and breeze of the ocean is delightful.

The weather may be the most pleasant change from NWA. Fall is just beginning in Peru which means warm days and sweaters in the evenings. It should be an Indian summer until May, and I am definitely okay with that. 

My weekdays and Sundays are consumed with school work, but the goal is to keep Saturday’s completely free for exploring. I’ll be posting pictures on the gallery page of this blog, and throughout the week via Instagram if you care to see them. 

This weekend Susan and I went on a Mirabus night tour. The tour takes tourists through historic district of Lima and to the Parque de la Reserva. I completely forgot to charge my phone before we left, and sadly, it died before the night was over. I did get some pictures of the park which is full of beautiful, giant water fountains. They even have a a laser and water show. It was a fun evening, even when I dropped some of my ice cream on my foot. More pictures on the gallery page (http://alainarainey91.wix.com/how-to-be-still/#!portfolio/c3ao). Adios!

Read more from Alaina at alainarainey91.wix.com/how-to-be-still/ 

#hogsabroad Ready for Prague and Seville!

 Hello! My name is Cicely Samuels and I’m a junior-to-be studying Advertising/Public Relations Journalism and Communications here at the wonderful University of Arkansas. On May 25^th of this year, I will be embarking on the trip of a lifetime…however cheesy that may sound. I will be studying abroad through CIEE for 4 weeks in Prague and 4 weeks in Seville. Throughout my trip I will be giving updates on the many inspiring experiences attached to this (hopefully) life altering summer. I will write of the diverse cultures, vast history, beautiful sights, and the inevitable character-building surprises to come. To say that I am excited (and maybe slightly nervous…in the best way) is an ample understatement. Stay tuned!

Cicely