Brown International Scholars Program
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) announces fellowship deadlines for the 2009-10 Brown International Scholars Program. The International Scholars Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to make international studies an integral part of their Brown curriculum. Twenty scholarships will be awarded for the current academic year.
Students will receive up to $5000 to support an international research project in Summer 2010, will work with an international mentor, and may be eligible for an additional $1000 to help cover expenses for a capstone project in their senior year. Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply. Applications are due 5th October 2009.
Objectives
The International Scholars Program provides an opportunity for students to deepen their academic explorations by integrating their curriculum and their international experiences in innovative and thoughtful ways. The program will create an enhanced context for students to prepare for and probe the challenges and opportunities of international engagement through reflection and dialogue with a community of scholars and mentors.
Components of the Program
The program has three components:
1. International Experience (Summer 2010)
The international experience can include archival, lab or field research, public service engagement, an internship and/or any other kind of project that the student would like to design during the course of the year as the centerpiece of the international scholar experience. Research-based critical intellectual projects are encouraged.
2. Coursework and Mentorship in Advance of International Experience (2009-10)
Students will be taking courses at Brown that contribute to their topic of study and build the groundwork for their summer experience. To complement their course preparations, scholars should also meet on a regular basis throughout the year with a Brown faculty member who has agreed to be their mentor and to help prepare the student for the summer abroad. The mentor should provide academic guidance that will help the student define her or his project and shape the international engagement in ways that will enhance their pedagogical experience. Brown International Scholars are expected to participate actively in the monthly Dinner Seminar that will be scheduled during the course of the year. This seminar will convene the Brown International Scholars, faculty mentors and guest speakers to encourage and catalyze critical reflection and debate regarding different aspects of international engagement.
3. Capstone Project in the Year Following the International Experience (2010-11)
When students return to Brown after their study abroad, the subsequent 12 month period should be channeled into a capstone project. A statement describing the project should be submitted early in the fall upon their return (September 30, 2010) but the nature of the project is open – it could include an article for publication, an Independent Study project, a senior thesis, a research project, the founding of a public service initiative or some other project of the student’s design. Returning scholars will be eligible to apply for capstone funds of up to $1000 to help cover project costs if relevant. Students will be expected to continue to work with their faculty mentors in designing and implementing these capstone project. Students are also expected to commit to being peer mentors to next year’s scholars and are invited to their monthly dinner seminars.