The Importance of Studying Abroad
As fellowship coordinator one of the hardest tasks I have is persuading students to consider learning opportunities in international locations. So many scholarships, such as Boren, CBYX, CLS, DAAD-RISE, and Fulbright, offer fully funded experiential learning opportunities around the world. They seek a broad representation of students from all over the U.S. and want applicants from North Dakota. International study adds so much to a student's learning, but I find it difficult to explain how.
My appreciation for the educational power of study aboard came during the year my family hosted a German CBYX high school exchange student. He brought joy to my life as I learned from him how to see and find interesting what we so naturally take for granted. Yes, he thought living in Grand Forks was amazing! He marveled at the most innocuous things like what he called the dizzying number of food options in our grocery stores, the opportunities for high school students to talk about their interests beyond academics during sporting events or while preparing for a school musical. He looked forward to attending a prom that is not a social custom in his German village. He loved that U.S. high schools offered courses that allowed him to develop his interest in becoming a movie director. He engaged each day as if it was his first.
International learning offers opportunities to engage the world through a high level of wonder, excitement, and joy much like how we once did during our first day at school.Think about how that level of awareness and motivation can enhance the exploration of your professional interests. International scholarships support the concrete aspects of progressing as a professional, but also add perspective and nuance.
November offers many study abroad opportunities. I am working with students applying for the CBYX Young Professional Program to take courses and intern for one year in Germany. Meanwhile, other students continue to work on their Critical Language Scholarship applications. My NSPA students and I will be hosting a scholarship ceremony that recognizes UND students who won national and international scholarships in year 2020-2021. Nathan Foster, who won the Boren Scholarship to study abroad in Taiwan, will be the student speaker to close the ceremony as he shares his experiences preparing for the Boren. In this month’s newsletter, Nathan offers a few words about the Boren Scholarship. May you discover that the world is truly just at your fingertips.
Yee Han Chu PhD MSSW
Academic Support and Fellowship Opportunities Coordinator
What is the Boren Scholarship?
The David L. Boren Scholarship is a National Security Education Program (NSEP) funded award that focuses on language acquisition in a geographic area deemed critical to United States security interests. Awardees will spend a significant time abroad (typically at least 25 weeks) in a country they have proven to the selection panel is vital to U.S. national security. Awardees have the option to design their own program while abroad so long as intensive language training is the primary focus. Boren scholars have a demonstrated interest in careers with the US intelligence community and are required to serve a minimum one year in the federal government supporting U.S. national security.
Why did you apply?
The Boren really seemed like it was made for me. Not only would it allow me to study a language I was already invested in, but it was setting me up for my dream career in intelligence. Aside from language skills, I was going to leave undergrad without any “hard” skills like one would receive from a STEM degree. The Boren presented me with an opportunity to add some serious experience to my resume that would also bolster my existing language skills.
What did you do to prepare your application?
First off, I technically started the application process in August; the due date was in February. Starting early gave me the chance to work through different ideas and really workshop my essays. I drafted, redrafted, and redrafted some more. Some months were slower than others but I was constantly working on my essays. All in all I had seven drafts of essay 1 and nine drafts of essay 2.
How did Boren fit into your academic plans?
Boren really didn’t “fit” in my academic plans. Before I had even thought about applying I was about ready to finish my undergraduate studies. The Boren was such an outstanding opportunity that I knew if I got it I would work my academic plans around it. While I didn’t need the credits from studying abroad, my time in Taiwan will mesh with my Chinese Studies and International Studies degrees nicely.
How did COVID19 impact your Boren study abroad plans?
Covid really did a number on my Boren plans. As far as the application process itself, things probably could have been worse. I was fortunate enough to really only be minimally affected by Covid so that I was able to go through applying without much disruption there. Covid did make it trickier to find a program in Taiwan that would work due to restrictions on capacity at most schools. In the end I think I was able to find the best program for myself anyways.
After winning my Boren is when Covid really started to become a factor. I should be in Taiwan right now, but due to the border still being closed, I was forced to delay my start date until (hopefully) this spring semester. There was an unimaginable amount of back and forth between UND, Boren, and my host institution in a cycle of figuring out if I was going to be able to go at all. The whole story is a long roller coaster, but I am confident that this spring all parties involved will be able to work through Covid complications so that I can enjoy my time abroad.
What advice do you have for students interested in applying?
First, I would ask that you only apply if you really have a passion for the language, country, culture, or intelligence career you center your application around. Without a sincere commitment I fear that an application would lack the heart needed to move on in the selection process. Otherwise, the best advice I can give is to understand what the Boren is looking for. Demonstrate in your essays why it is important that you go abroad for your eventual career, why your specific language is important, and why you need to be abroad in that specific country to study that language. Look into what the essays are asking of you and try to imagine what would make you a valuable investment for the government.
Dr. Yee Han Chu & NSPA
Email: yee.chu@und.edu
Website: https://und.edu/academics/national-scholarships/
Location: Columbia Hall, Room B307 501 North Columbia Road, Stop 7187 Grand Forks, ND 58202-7187
Phone: (701) 777-4436
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/108818960563786/posts/196605401785141/?d=n&substory_index=0