Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Youth Voices on China Video Contest: Win over $2,000!

Youth Voices on China Video Contest: The 1990 Institute’s inaugural national online video contest encourages U.S. middle school, high school, and college students to think more broadly about U.S.-China relations and seek balanced viewpoints. Submit a short, thought-provoking video of 2 to 3 minutes’ length on a China topic that relates to the 2014–15 contest theme, "Why Understanding China Is Important to My Future." With more than $30,000 in total cash and prizes, students and their sponsoring teachers may win over $2,000 each, a trip to San Francisco, and visibility for their work. Deadlines are January 4 (Early Bird) and January 19, 2015 (Final). Learn more.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships -- Application Deadline Jan. 16, 2015

Happy Holidays!

Now that exams are over, it is time to apply for scholarships!  

The deadline to apply for Fund for Education Abroad scholarships is January 16, 2015.

The current application cycle will fund students with financial need who will be studying abroad in Summer 2015, Fall 2015, or Spring 2016.

If you are a U.S. citizens or permanent resident and need help funding your summer or year in China, please apply.  Multiple scholarship available!

For information about FEA Scholarships, please visit fundforeducationabroad.org/applicants/

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at fea@fundforeducationabroad.org.

Gilman Scholarship - Application for Summer/Fall 2015 to Open Mid-January

The U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is pleased to announce two exciting updates for the upcoming scholarship application set to open in mid-January 2015.   Thank you for sharing this information with students and helping them prepare their applications!

To encourage  more non-traditional students to participate in education abroad, the Gilman Program will accept applications from students enrolled at community colleges/two-year institutions who will participate in credit-bearing education abroad programs that are a minimum of 14 days in length in one country, so long as the students meet all other applicant eligibility requirements.  This is a change from the four week minimum currently in place for all applicants. The  14 day minimum only applies to students enrolled at community colleges/two-year institutions.

Additionally, the Gilman Program will accept applications from students participating in education abroad programs in Mexican states where no advisory is in effect according to the U.S. Department of State Travel Warning (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html) *

Eligibility requirements; an applicant must be:

* A United States citizen;
* Enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. institution;
* Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term abroad;
* Applying to or accepted into a credit-bearing study abroad program or international internship;
* Participating in a study abroad program or international internship that is no less than four weeks (28 days) - or two weeks (14 days) for current community college students - in one country and no more than an academic year; and
* Studying or interning in any country not currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Cuba. Students applying to programs in Mexico may only apply for scholarships to support study in Mexican states where no advisory is in effect according to the U.S. Department of State Travel Warning.

The application for summer 2015 and fall/academic year 2015-2016 programs will open in mid-January and student applications are due March 3, 2015 by 11:59pm (central).

Advisers have until March 10, 2015 to certify summer and fall 2015 applications.

The Gilman International Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  The Gilman Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go.  Since the program's inception in 2001, the Gilman Program has awarded over 17,000 U.S. undergraduates with high financial need representing more than 1,100 U.S. institutions, to study and intern abroad in more than 140 countries. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

For more information and application resources, please visit the Gilman website at www.iie.org/gilman or contact the appropriate contact below:

STUDENTS

Last Name A-D
Phone:  832-369-3477
Email: gilmanforms@iie.org

Last Name E-K
Phone: 832-369-3484
Email: gilman@iie.org

Last Name L-Q
Phone: 832-369-3475
Email: gilmandocs@iie.org

Last Name R-Z
Phone: 832-369-3485
Email: gilmanapp@iie.org

UNIVERSITY ADVISORS

Midwest & Northeast Regions
Phone: 832-369-3487
Email: gilmanadvisors@iie.org

South & West Regions
Phone: 832-369-3483
Email: gilmanadvisors@iie.org

Friday, December 5, 2014

Job Posting - Study Abroad Foundation (SAF)

  
Position Announcement:  Program Coordinator-China
Application Deadline:  December 22, 2014

Position Overview:

The Program Coordinator-China will manage the enrollment of undergraduate study abroad (visiting non-degree) students from Brunei, China, Taiwan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore who are attending SAF-affiliated host universities in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australasia

The successful candidate will be responsible for processing 100-plus applications per semester and will take candidates from their initial admission review through to their host university submission, course registration, housing procurement and finally the issuance of final transcripts.  Specific responsibilities include the evaluation and analysis of prospective students’ credentials, submission of qualified candidates’ applications to SAF host universities, communication with SAF Country Offices in China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea as well as affiliated host universities, creation of relevant program materials, and the provision of personal, cultural, academic and emergency advice and assistance for the duration of participants’ study abroad experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities to Include:

  • Communicate with the SAF Country Offices in Asia and, in particular, China (Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai) ensuring effective exchange of information and providing guidance regarding student placement, acceptance criteria, application deadlines, etc.
  • Ensure accurate input of data into the SAF student database and subsequent extraction of relevant data for weekly reports and enrollment projections; previous database use a plus
  • Create, organize and ensure integrity of applicant’s paper and electronic files
  • Screen, evaluate and submit applications to SAF host universities
  • Follow-up with host universities to facilitate quick turn-around on student acceptances
  • Ensure timely and organized delivery of information and materials to SAF Country Offices, and SAF host universities
  • Secure participant housing, orientation participation, class registration, and arrival transportation
  • Create, revise and review pre-departure orientation materials and on-site communication sequence including emergency protocol
  • Provide prompt on-site student support services via phone and email; provide after hours student support services as needed

Qualifications:

  • BA/BS required
  • Proficiency in spoken and written standard Chinese and English
  • Previous study abroad experience
  • Adept at prioritizing and multi-tasking
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and exercise good judgment in addressing questions and problems
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
  • Energetic and creative with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong teamwork skills and an interest in working in and supporting a rapidly changing work environment
  • Willingness to travel in the U.S. and abroad

Work Environment:

  • Close-knit office environment
  • Willing to perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned
  • Resolving emergency situations may require additional work hours

The Foundation:

The Study Abroad Foundation is a US non-profit education organization – a 501(c)(3) - focused on student international mobility. SAF’s HQ is in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the majority of its staff based in the Foundation’s Country Offices in China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.  SAF facilitates study abroad opportunities in the US, Canada, Europe and Australasia for international students attending its member universities in Asia.  For more information about the Foundation please visit our web site at www.studyabroadfoundation.org.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter in English by email to:  hr@studyabroadfoundation.org and include “Program Coordinator-China” in the email subject line.  Resumes will be screened as they are received and qualified candidates contacted for interviews.

The Study Abroad Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Study Abroad Foundation
1100 W. 42nd Street, Suite 216
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Tel: 317-925-2943
Fax:  317-925-2961