In the coming years, the Global Internship Program may see more Alliance universities offering a myriad of internship opportunities in its leading laboratories and central offices. The Internship offerings are made possible because of the close knit relationship of the Alliance members, who avail their mentors and facilities to one another for this program.

Participants have benefited greatly from the program as it parallels the earliest stage of actual employment, with the added support and guidance to complete challenging assignments. Interns are acknowledged as a core team member, and assigned significant roles and responsibilities that affect the final outcome of the project. Internships usually occur in a country foreign to the interns, adding to rich life experiences, new skill sets and self-development. A possible outcome from the Internship is a post-doctoral or full time recruitment with the host university upon graduation.

For more information, please visit http://www.iaruni.org/gei/internships.

Lucky Cat knows about financial aid...do you?

Summer aid is available for study abroad, *but* it all depends on what program you choose, the number of units and length of your program, and your remaining aid eligibility from the past academic year.

To help simplify things and figure out your financial aid scenario for this summer, start by reviewing the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office webpage on Summer Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students and Summer Frequently Asked Questions, then check out the following resources for our most popular programs:

1) UC Education Abroad Program
Students studying on the UC Education Abroad Program for summer should review the handout Summer Education Abroad Program Financial Aid Information (PDF) from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (click on the link in the lefthand nav section titled “Publications / Flyers”).

2) Berkeley Summer Abroad and Global Internships
For students participating on Berkeley Summer Abroad and Global Internships programs, the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office has posted these Frequently Asked Questions.

3) IARU Global Summer Program
The types and amount of financial aid for the IARU Global Summer Program will depend on whether you are enrolled in one of UC Berkeley’s GSP offerings or in a course at one of the IARU partner institutions. Refer to the Berkeley GSP webpage on costs and financial aid for more information.

4) Independent Programs
Students studying on an independent program for summer 2012 should review the handout Summer Consortium Program Financial Aid Information (PDF) from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

Yes Virginia, there is a paper application.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…no, not the holidays–it’s application time for 2012-13 summer, fall and academic year options for the UC Education Abroad Program!

If you are submitting an application for the first time, be sure to read all application information carefully, follow instructions on your program application checklist, and avoid the five most common EAP application mistakes below:

#5 Submitting only the online MyEAP application
All UCEAP programs require submission of an online application called MyEAP. However, most programs require supplemental hardcopy materials that must be submitted directly to Berkeley Study Abroad. Refer to the application checklist for your program to make sure you have all the requested items.

#4 Incomplete/illegible passport photocopy
Many programs require submission of a photocopy of your passport ID page (this is the page with your photo and personal information). Be sure that the photocopy is legible and that you sign your passport before making a photocopy–your signature is necessary in order for the passport to be considered valid.

#3 Missing Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend Form
UCEAP gives students the option to extend participation for an additional semester on many programs. In order to do this, you must complete a Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend Form and submit with your EAP application. Even if you’re not sure about extending, you must submit this form and indicate whether or not you would like to have the option to extend (if you don’t plan to extend, you simply mark “No” on the form and sign, but we encourage you to consider extending).

#2 Forgetting to sign your MyEAP application printout
In addition to electronically submitting the MyEAP online application, you must print a hardcopy of your completed MyEAP application and include it with the supplemental materials indicated on your application checklist. One of the most common application mistakes is forgetting to provide your physical signature on the last page of the printout. Without your signature, your application is not complete, so don’t forget this crucial detail.

#1 Not having a valid passport
Maybe your passport is expiring this year. Or maybe you have a passport from when you were six years old, complete with an adorable photo of your child-like self. If you do not have a passport currently or if your current passport will expire prior to six months after your program end date (twelve months for some countries), you must apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible. Not having a valid passport can present complications when applying for a visa or entering/exiting countries, so be sure to apply for or renew your passport today. Check the passport information on your program application checklist to see if you need to request rush processing.

Honorable Mentions

• Printing all your application materials on scratch paper
• Submitting passport-size photos you made yourself
• Enclosing your application in a Hello Kitty folder
• Sending the application directly to your study abroad country

BERKELEY – Forty-three UC Berkeley students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to participate in spring 2012 study abroad programs, making UC Berkeley the leader in Gilman scholarships awarded among U.S. institutions and breaking previous University records for the award.

The forty-three recipients were awarded a total of $161,000 in scholarships for study abroad destinations in Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Students receive individual awards of up to $5,000 and in some cases are eligible for an additional $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement. The forty-three awards marks a record number of Gilman scholarships received by UC Berkeley students, representing a 79% increase in the number of Berkeley Gilman recipients from spring 2011 and a 38% increase from fall 2011.

The Gilman Scholarship Program supports students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The program also aims to encourage students to choose non-traditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe and Australia.

“We are extremely pleased that Berkeley leads the nation in the number of Gilman awards,” said Dr. Darin Menlove, Director of Berkeley Study Abroad, “particularly because the Gilman Scholarship is meant to promote accessibility, and student and destination diversity in study abroad—goals that align perfectly with core values here at Cal.”

Some 64% of UC Berkeley undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. In 2008-09, 37 percent of all Berkeley undergrads were eligible for Pell Grants (family incomes generally less than $45,000 a year). Berkeley educates more of these economically disadvantaged students than all of the Ivy League universities combined.

The list of spring 2012 Gilman Scholars, including students’ U.S. institutions, countries of study, and grant amounts, is available at www.iie.org/gilman.

A recent NPR article reports on Xiao Bayou, a mainland Chinese father whose parenting skills included beating his son and three daughters as part of his system for getting his children into Peking University, considered by many to be China’s top university.  He even wrote a book, originally titled Beat Them Into Peking University (it has since been changed).

We hope none of your parents had to beat you to study at UC Berkeley, but we also are very aware of the helicopter parent phenomenon and that some of your parents are very involved in your academic and personal lives.

What influence have your parents had in your decision to study abroad? Share your experiences in the comments below.

PS You can study at Peking University on the UC Education Abroad Program and the IARU Global Summer Program. No beating required!

2 December 2011

BERKELEY—Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA) has announced the winners of the 2011 Study Abroad Photo Contest. Every fall, BSA hosts its annual Study Abroad Photo Contest for returned UC Berkeley study abroad students.

This year’s competition featured a total of 142 photo entries from participants on 2010-11 BSA programs. A winner and two runners up were chosen in each of the following categories: Landscapes; People and Culture; and Bears Abroad.

To view all of the photo contest entries, visit the BSA Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/31722631@N06/sets/72157628030661278/.

Landscapes

Winner
“Sunset in the Cinque Terra” by Shiantel Fields / Manarola, Italy

First Runner-Up
“Frozen Fjords” by Melissa Hong / Kiruna, Sweden

Second Runner-Up
“In South Africa a Rainbow Signifies a Monkey’s Wedding” by Caroline van Wissenkirke / Drakensberg, South Africa

People and Culture

Winner
“Sacred Cow in a Sacred City” by Kira Charlesworth / Varanasi, India

First Runner-Up
“Sinbad” by Danielle Moultak / Essaouira, Morocco

Second Runner-Up
“A Lasting Legacy” by Katherine Connolly / Berlin, Germany

Bears Abroad

Winner
“Waters of Kiliminjaro” by Trevor Allen / Tanzania

First Runner-Up
“Escadaria Selaron” by Samuel Contreras / Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Second Runner-Up
“Cal Bears In Atacama” by Maria Hurtado / San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

OK Computer

We’re in the midst of pre-departure orientations for the spring 2012 UC Education Abroad Program and one of the most common questions we hear is “Should I bring my laptop?”

For most students who have a laptop already and want to continue using it while abroad, the answer is “Yes” but with some questions to consider before packing up that computer.

1) What kind of work will you be doing?
Laptops are great productivity tools, allowing you to create correspondence, take notes in class, collaborate in groups, give presentations, and lots more. While these are great for Cal, not every university or academic culture embraces using laptops in the same way, especially in the classroom. Think about what type of work you plan to do while abroad and whether it’s really necessary to have a laptop on hand.

2) How reliable is internet access?
If you’re used to having a constant internet connection, be aware that in many countries, wireless access may be limited or nonexistent, and even ethernet connections (remember those?) may be the primary way to connect. There’s plenty of other uses for a laptop besides going online, but if internet connection is spotty, consider whether bringing a laptop is better than connecting from a campus computer lab.

3) Are you okay with losing your laptop?
While the worst case scenario, it is not uncommon for a laptop to break, get lost, or even be stolen during your time abroad. If you just bought a brand new laptop that you really cherish, consider whether it’s worth subjecting it to the risks of travel. Granted, there are certainly risks having a laptop around Berkeley, but it’s best not to bring things abroad that you aren’t willing to part with, laptops especially.

4) Is it time to unplug?
Laptops and computers keep us connected to our friends and family, as well as the rest of the world through news, social media, chat, email, video, and much more. While these can be handy in communicating with others while abroad, they can also prevent you from “being in the moment” by tethering you to people and events back home.

Once you unplug from the daily checking of email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the like, you may realize how much time you spend on these activities and just might discover a new perspective, sans laptop.

Duttenhaver Extension Scholar Extension Program

• Kelly Del Curto (Italy)
• Christina Lopez (Thailand)
• Briana Sherlock (Chile)

UCEAP Spring Scholarships

• Christina Javier (China)
• Emma Levine (Israel)
• Ildiko Polony (Germany)
• Jasmine Peterlin (Spain)
• Kellie Hall (Germany)
• Laya Madsen (Argentina)
• Mika Ciotola (Italy)
• Nicole Campbell (Brazil)
• Sheila Lam (Germany)
• Sierra Senaki (United Kingdom)
• Tracy Paulson (Germany)
• Tyler Greenway (Spain)
• Veronica Lim (France)

For more information about scholarships and funding opportunities, visit the Funding Resources page on the Berkeley Study Abroad website.

The National Univ. of Tres de Febrero in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is host to a new summer program in Latin American Studies for UCEAP students.

Australia’s newest UCEAP option is an international summer school at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, where students may study engineering, conservation, sports, politics, film and literature, media, tourism, and international business.

In China, UCEAP has opened new spring options to Beijing at Peking University, which offers Chinese language courses and courses taught in English, and Tsinghua University, where students can pursue coursework in economics, electrical engineering, computer science, microelectronics, and information science, as well as Chinese language study.

Situated in central downtown, Hong Kong Polytechnic University is UCEAP’s newest Hong Kong partner featuring a wide variety of subjects taught in English, including courses for pre-med, engineering, and nursing students.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel has announced new opportunities in Arabic language immersion through the university’s Rothberg International School, a new music program and dance training with the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and art practice at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

The Summer Russian Area Studies at St. Petersburg University gives participants the opportunity to develop their Russian language skills while learning about the history and culture of Russia.

Students can choose from two new summer options in Singapore, including a biodiversity program sponsored by the National University of Singapore featuring fieldwork on the south China sea and a science and engineering internship with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Students now have the option to study international business and economics in English in Barcelona at Pompeu Fabra University, UCEAP’s latest university partner in Spain.

Located in Istanbul, Koç University is one of Turkey’s newest and most modern universities offering participants a wide range of courses taught in English, while UCEAP students can now choose semester and year options at Boğaziçi University.

Check the UCEAP website for program information as it becomes available. Applications for 2012-13 UCEAP programs will be posted by early September.

Scott--still standing. USSR...not so much.

Today’s a very special day in our office–Scott McElhinney, one of our advisors, is celebrating his 20th anniversary here at BPSA!

Known for his approachable demeanor and extensive archive of EAP t-shirts, Scott’s first day in the office was memorable to say the least:

“On August 19, 1991 when I arrived for my first day as the incoming USSR adviser, [our former director] was on the phone with [UCEAP] trying to figure out a plan for the Leningrad program, given that an attempted coup was happening in Moscow and tanks were firing on the parliament building just days before the students were supposed to depart.

They decided to postpone departure by two weeks to see if things would settle down.  They did, and the students were still able to have their semester in Leningrad despite the turmoil.  Another crisis averted – and to think it was all done by telephone!“

20 years later, Scott is still here and the Soviet Union is long gone.  How’s that for resiliency?