Scholarships Tips

The Boren Awards Scholarship Opportunity

Stuart Ray1 Comment

It is no secret that one of the most effective ways to learn a new language is through full immersion. Unfortunately, studying languages abroad can be prohibitively expensive. This can be discouraging to language students, but there are scholarships that could cover a portion or entirety of the expenses. For students interested in United States national security, the Boren Awards could be an ideal option.

 The Boren Awards are financial grants available to graduate and undergraduate students studying languages of interest to the national security establishment. There is a broad list of languages that qualify, but applicants may suggest others as well. Students must be pursuing a study abroad program in which language learning is a key component. Successful applicants may receive up to $25,000 from the US government. In exchange for the financial assistance, awardees commit to spending at least one year working for the federal government.  

Despite heavy competition, applicant requirements are relatively basic. Applicants must be American citizens who hold at least a GED and are enrolled in an accredited degree program. Boren Scholarships are open to undergraduate students and Boren Fellowships to graduate students. There is no required proficiency level. Applicants may be novices or masters of the language if they can show how their proficiency will improve as a result of the program.

Eligible students may complete an application process that includes two short essays. The first should explain how the applicant’s chosen region and language are significant to national security. The second essay is much more personal. Applicants must describe their motivations, career goals, and what they plan on learning during their studies. When the essays are complete the rest of the application is standard. Applicants must submit their previous work history and may include information on their extracurricular activities. Students should include a detailed description of the abroad program they are pursuing. For graduate students pursuing a fellowship, this may include a research proposal. Finally, the application requires at least two, with an optional third, letters of recommendation. The completed application is then evaluated based on various criteria. The first is the desired language’s relevancy to national security. After that, the applicant’s desire to work for the government is evaluated. Finally, the student’s cultural fluency skills and learning aptitude are considered.

A Boren Awards grant certainly is not for everyone. It is a highly competitive process and, once again, successful applicants are bound to work for the federal government for at least a year. Still, the program is a very good option for language students interested in a national security-related career. In addition to the financial benefits, Boren scholars will find they have a great head start on their careers. Awardees are responsible for finding their federal employment, but recipients are highly sought after and have access to an unparalleled network of scholars. In addition to the career benefits, living abroad can be an unmatched opportunity for personal growth. If this sounds appealing, certainly consider filling out an application for the Boren Awards.

What you should know if you want to study in Europe

Michael NzeribeLeave a comment

Before packing your bags and planning your trip, you should consider different variables.

  • Studying abroad is getting easier.
  • Students looking for new experiences can find out about a wide variety of things before they travel.
  • Which country is more convenient? What university? What topics are recommended to study?

Studying abroad is the dream of thousands of students, who each year set themselves the goal of taking on new challenges and improving their learning at the best universities in the world. Thanks to all the access to information available from international universities and different scholarship programs, embarking on the journey is becoming easier.

Training abroad is an ideal way to get to know new destinations, explore cultures other than your own and explore what life is like away from your comfort zone. In addition, it allows adding a highly valuable experience to the CV, which will indicate to companies that the candidate is capable of successfully adapting to new contexts.

In other words, studying abroad is not only an unbeatable personal experience but also a way to open up paths in the professional field.

Among the destinations most chosen by young people, European countries represent a large percentage. The idea of ​​getting to know some of the most visited countries in the world and going through the history of cosmopolitan cities leads thousands of students to choose to study in Europe.

Are you going to study abroad? Did you choose Europe as a destination? Here are some of the things you should know before you travel:

Choose a country

Choosing a destination is never easy because, after all, it implies ruling out others. But doing so is unavoidable. The good news is that, even if you select one, you will always have other destinations nearby to visit.

The choice of country will largely depend on the language you speak, so if you only speak Spanish, it is advisable to opt for countries like Spain where you will have no problems adapting. If you speak English, French or other languages ​​then you can consider more options.

If you handle languages, the most useful way to choose an educational destination is to check the World University Ranking that the company Quacquarelli Symonds carries out every year. This includes the best universities in the world ranked by country, so you can choose a country based on the number of prestigious universities it has.

According to this, the United Kingdom is undoubtedly the best European destination to study, as it has 76 centers in the classification. Germany with 45,  France with 39, and Spain with 23 universities in the ranking are other leading European destinations.

Study at the best universities

If you are going to make the effort to study outside your comfort zone, you must ensure that the investment is worth it. Therefore, it is best to train in the best universities.

The fastest, easiest, and most reliable way to choose a good university is to review -again- the World University Ranking. In this publication, 800 university centers around the world are analyzed, placing the best in the first positions.

According to the 2018 edition of this ranking, the best European universities are:

  • University of Cambridge
  • Oxford University
  • University College London
  • Imperial College and London
  • Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
  • Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne
  • University of Edinburgh
  • King’s College London
  • University of Manchester
  • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Which studies to choose?

Clearly, this will depend on your vocation and what you decide to study. However, if you are still not sure what your ideal profession is, there are some areas of study that are especially important for the new global context that European universities can offer.

Studies linked to the area of ​​Computer Science, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence are clear examples of infallible topics when deciding on a career. These studies not only provide access to employment today but also guarantee it in the future.

Admission Essay or Personal Statement for Scholarships?

Michael NzeribeLeave a comment

Importance – Components – Structure.

A personal statement also called a statement of purpose or an essay, allows you to introduce yourself to a college admissions office or interview committee. There are various types of admission essays and they all serve the same purpose. It is an integral part of your college application and is also considered by many to be a deciding factor.

Whenever you apply for a job, college degree, or scholarship, there are certain factors that should be highlighted, including all of your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.

If there are multiple applicants with the same level of academic achievement and positive letters of recommendation, then the personal statement can play a very important role in helping the admissions committee decide who to award the offer of admission or scholarship. 

Therefore, everyone who is planning to apply for such programs should be very careful to write a well-thought-out and structured admission essay, which can make them shine among all the other applicants. A good personal statement will require proper planning and preparation.

Importance of the Admission Essay for applications and interviews

  1. It is an integral part of any application to a college program or scholarship.
  2. It can make or break your chances of receiving a scholarship or an offer of admission.
  3. It serves as a way to introduce yourself to the admissions committee.
  4. You can broadcast all your academic achievements and qualifications, as well as your work experience. You can also talk about your academic and professional aspirations.
  5. You should bring your application to the attention of the admission committee, and they should have an idea of ​​what you are like and how suitable you are for their program or scholarship.
  6. Your essay will reflect your communication skills.
  7. The personal statement will play a role in determining whether or not you will receive an interview call.

Components of the Admission Essay or Personal Statement

Your personal statement will be a reflection of your motivation, aspiration, and sweat, which should be clearly expressed and highlighted within its content.

The following are the three basic components of a well-written personnel statement:

  1. What motivates you?
  2. What is your aspiration?
  3. Describe how you get your motivation

It may interest you: Letter of Motivation for Scholarships + Example

How to structure a personal statement or Admission Essay?

If you’re about to start the process of writing a personal statement, you can use the key points below to learn how to structure your admissions essay, as well as what to include and avoid in it:

  1. Make sure you’ve done all your background research on the degree or scholarship you’re applying for before you start writing your statement.
  2. Make a list of the various aspects of the program or scholarship that you find most appealing so you can include them in your report.
  3. Use your essay as an opportunity to personally describe yourself to the admissions committee.
  4. You must identify what your goals and priorities are in life, as well as the factors that have motivated you to follow a particular program.
  5. You should also try to make links between the course you want to follow and your goals in life.
  6. As the name suggests, the personal statement should have a personal touch. It shouldn’t sound like an academic essay, but more like an interesting story.
  7. While it is important to talk about your educational background, you should also combine the skills you have acquired over time, as well as your experience that is relevant to the course you wish to pursue.
  8. You might also consider including any setbacks you’ve faced in life, which could be academic or personal in nature, as well as how you managed to overcome these obstacles.
  9. When writing your personal statement, make sure it is truthful and authentic. This is because if you get an interview call, there is a good chance that their admissions committee will base the interview on your personal statement. Therefore, all applicants are strongly advised not to include false or incorrect information in their personal statements.

Finding the right Scholarship

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Planning for university can bring a world of excitement, as well as, uncertainty. For most, this will be your first time going through the university process and knowing where to start can bring lots of questions. Some students may choose to study near their home while others are looking to see new places and experience different cultures. Staying at home means saving money and studying abroad typically comes with a larger bill. Funding groceries, accommodation, international tuition, and transportation may seem unreachable, but there are scholarships to help aid with the financial situations for students that want to study abroad.

If you’re an international student looking to get help with studying in Canada, there are a variety of scholarships that you can apply for or receive automatically. Scholarships are a non-repayable financial award that help to cover some, or even all of your expenses. Typically, they’re provided to students with outstanding academic records. For some scholarships, they will also recognize work and volunteer experience. You’ll most likely have to submit an academic transcript and write an essay on why you believe you deserve the scholarship. Now, getting a scholarship can be difficult as awards are limited and highly competitive, but here are some ways to get you started.

First, take a look at the universities that you’re interested in and get in touch with their financial aid office to ask for more information about their scholarships available to international students. Screening only the universities you want to apply for can help you when finding more information about the scholarships you want to apply for. You can send the financial aid office an email or give them a call. Let them know your situation and where you’re from and they’ll be better equipped at providing you with relevant information. Find out what the application guidelines are, the criteria that needs to be met, deadlines to apply, if there are any automatic scholarships, and how much each scholarship will cover. Some scholarships will be partial coverage meaning that only a portion of your expenses will be covered. Others may cover the entire cost of your education and are typically awarded to the best students out there.

The second place you want to look are government websites. In Canada, there are a couple of bodies that award scholarships including the Canadian government, provincial governments, private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations. There are a wide variety of scholarships available, here’s a list to guide you on your search:

  1. Academic Scholarships
  2. Average Academic Performance Scholarships
  3. Athletic Scholarships
  4. Scholarships for Minorities
  5. Scholarship for Women
  6. Creative Scholarships
  7. Unusual Scholarships
  8. Community Service Scholarships

With so many scholarships available for all types of students, don’t feel like you need to have perfect marks to be able to receive an award. First, start by selecting the universities you want to apply to. Second, contact their financial aid office to find out more about their scholarships. Third, search the internet for scholarships that aren’t offered by the school, but by the government, other organizations, or even individuals. Lastly, do the same for scholarships available in your own country. Don’t let the financial burden of studying abroad stop you from going to the school you want and get out there to see what scholarships are available for you!