A new program in the Office of International Affairs will give 10 students scholarship money and an opportunity to connect their studies at Brown to the global community.
The office's Web site describes the three components, spanning two years, that will make up the new International Scholars Program. During the summer of 2009, selected students will use up to $5,000 in scholarship money for an international experience that could encompass language study, research, public service, an internship or another project of the student's design.
During the 2008-09 school year, the students will prepare for their international experience by taking certain classes, consulting a faculty mentor and participating in monthly dinner seminars.
Finally, during the 2009-10 academic year, the students can apply for another $1,000 to fund a capstone project related to the time spent abroad. This project could be public service, publication of a paper, research, or another project the student designs.
"There's a huge appetite for going abroad on the Brown campus," Director of International Affairs Vasuki Nesiah said. For some students, however, she said time abroad was time away from academics rather than an integrated part of the studies. Nesiah said the program was created to help students integrate their curricula in Providence with their experiences overseas, and to get Brown faculty more involved in students' experiences abroad.
Nesiah said the project has been in the works since January. The creators sought feedback during the spring and finalized plans for the program over the summer. It was announced to Brown students during the first week of classes.
Because the summer abroad is not intended to provide academic credit, students do not have to go through a lengthy approval process to study in some countries, though Nesiah said they need to prove the location is safe. Students who feel their summer activities should merit academic credit may fill out an additional application.
Zina Miller '02, a visiting fellow in international studies, has received between 10 and 20 queries about the program in the last week, most of which have been logistical.
Elizabeth Adler '11 is in the process of applying. While researching a potential semester abroad in Nepal, Adler came across a grassroots NGO in the Lalitpur district of Nepal called the Society for Health, Environment and Women's Development. If she is awarded one of the 10 scholarships, Adler said she wants to help coordinate a women's health camp that delivers care to an underserved population. She said she would like to look at the factors that create barriers to providing communities with health care and use the data she collects to analyze and create a sustainable project for the society to implement.
"I think it's really easy to take your classes as isolated units," Adler said, adding that she is excited Brown has started a program that will help students integrate international experiences with what they really want to do.
