UB Asian Studies Study Abroad Award/Rustgi South Asian Language Award (deadline March 29, 2021)

Posted by Tim on February 22, 2021 in Academics, Scholarship Opportunities, Study Abroad

The Rustgi South Asian Language Award

Current UB undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for funding to attend intensive summer language programs such as those offered by

·       The American Institute of Indian Studies

·       University of Wisconsin South Asia Summer Language Institute

·       University of Washington Summer Nepali Language Course

·       University of Texas at Austin Summer Language Courses in Malayalam, Telugu, or Kannada

Applications for funding will be evaluated by UB Asian Studies Program faculty and staff. The Rustgi South Asian Language Award provides partial tuition subventions. Additional funds for living expenses incurred during the summer program may also be available. It is anticipated that the average award will be approximately $1,000 per student.

Eligibility:

• Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Buffalo in good academic standing at the time of application.
• At the time of application for this award, applicants must demonstrate that they have already applied to a summer language program. 
• Awards are contingent upon the applicant’s acceptance into an appropriate South Asian summer language program

Criteria for Selection:

• Awards will be based on academic merit and seriousness of purpose
• The applicant agrees to be an ambassador for Asian Studies at UB by sending occasional posts and photos of their experiences for use on the Asian Studies Program’s social media and website. The applicant must also be willing to talk with other students about their experience upon returning to UB.
• The applicant’s prior South Asian coursework or plans to enroll in additional South Asia-related courses at UB.
• Preference shall be given to students seeking to learn “critical need” languages (Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu).
• Preference shall be given to students who can demonstrate that they have also applied for the Critical Language Scholarship, Boren Awards, and/or  Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships.

Required Application Materials:

Applicants should send the following components in a single PDF file:

1)    Completed language program application form
2)    one-page (less than 500-word) statement of purpose describing your academic reasons for selecting a particular program, detailing how the study abroad program will fit into your overall academic program and goals, and how the program benefits you
3)    Transcripts: Applicants should scan their undergraduate and graduate transcripts (from U.S. or Canadian universities only) and include them in the single pdf file.
4)    Confirmation (email or scanned document) from AIIS, SAFLI, etc. indicating receipt of complete summer language program application.
5)    A simple budget indicating anticipated expenses and other sources of funding to which the applicant has applied.
6)    Recommended: documentation confirming submission of completed applications for the Critical Language Scholarship and/or Boren Scholarship
7)    Applicants should also submit one (1) letter of recommendation emailed as an attachment directly from their professor or instructor. Instructors may also mail their recommendations in a sealed envelope signed by the instructor to Asian Studies Program, 412 Clemens Hall, Buffalo NY 14260.

*Application deadline is March 29, 2021

Please contact the Asian Studies Program at Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu if you have any questions.

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The Asian Studies 2020-2021 Study Abroad Award

The 2020-2021 study abroad award supports study abroad for Fall 2021, AY 2021-2022, or Spring 2022. The deadline for applications is March 29, 2021.

The awards will range between $500 and $1000. All UB undergraduate students who are studying abroad in Asia are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to students majoring or minoring in the Asian Studies Program and/or minoring in Korean.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate at the University of Buffalo in good academic standing at the time of your application
• At the time of applying for this award, you must already have applied to a study abroad program in Asia through the UB Study Abroad office. Exceptions will be considered with prior approval from the Asian Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Walter Hakala.

Criteria:

• Foreign language study is a component of the program
• Participation in an established, credit-bearing study abroad or exchange program
• Preference shall be given to applicants who are studying abroad for the first time or in a country or region to which they have never before traveled
• Awards are based on academic merit and seriousness of purpose
• The applicant agrees to be an ambassador for Asian Studies at UB by sending occasional posts and photos of their experiences while in-country for use on the Asian Studies Program’s social media and website. The applicant must also be willing to talk with other students about their study abroad experience upon returning to UB.

Application Materials and Guidelines:

Please submit the following 4 items:

1. The application form.
2. A personal statement no longer than 3 pages double-spaced, 11 or 12 point font following the outline below:
   1. The Program. Describe the program: what is the length of the program, the course of intended study, and the language focus? You may include a program info sheet or brochure as supporting paperwork if one exists.
   1. The Language. What language training have you acquired prior to the study abroad program? What is your expected proficiency at the end of the study abroad program? What is your goal in learning this language?
   1. Academic Purpose. Describe your academic reasons for selecting a particular program and explain in detail how the study abroad program will fit into your overall academic program and goals.
   1. Development. Describe how the program benefits your personal, academic, and professional development.
   1. Candidacy. Why are you a particularly strong candidate for this award?
3. One letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught you in an Asian Studies-related course. The letter of recommendation must be emailed as an attachment directly from the professor.
4. A current copy of your unofficial transcript.

All application materials must be submitted no later than 4pm on Monday, March 29, 2021. 

Submission Guidelines: 

Email Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu with “Study Abroad Award Application: [your name]” in the subject line. Attach the completed application form, your personal statement, and your transcripts. Ask your professor to email their letter of recommendation as an attachment to Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu with “Study Abroad Recommendation: [your name]” in the subject line.

Please contact the Asian Studies Program at Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu if you have any questions.