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Study Abroad Scholarship Writing

Getting Started

  • Review the scholarship requirements (including deadlines).
  • Research the scholarship organization. Who are they? What are their goals?
  • Ask for letters of recommendation with at least 2 weeks' notice. One month in advance is preferable.
  • Take time to understand your own motivations.
  • Get to know your strengths and story.
  • Get your ideas onto paper!

Writing a Successful Essay

  • Start strong!
  • Know your audience
  • Answer the prompt
  • Clearly state your thesis
  • Showcase your strengths
  • Support your statements with evidence
  • Incorporate your unique perspective
  • Be descriptive in your writing
  • Review & revise, revise, revise

Study Abroad-Specific Tips

  • Make connections between your program of choice and your personal, professional, and academic goals.
  • Make connections between your host country and these same goals.
  • Avoid generalized statements without providing evidence.
  • Everyone wants to study abroad to "learn about another culture" or "expand their horizons". If this is you, great! But what does this really look like to you? How will you achieve this goal?

Let's Get Started!

  • Research scholarships that you can apply for and make a list of their deadlines and requirements.
  • Identify cross-over. Work smarter, not harder!
  • Update/ create your resume to send along with letter of recommendation requests
  • Start brainstorming & writing
  • Ask for help ( Online Writing Lab via CAPS, peer-review, your study abroad advisor).

Credits:

Created with images by Dmytro - "Colorful nautical boats with tourists top view, copy space" • Luis - "Iglesia de San Pedro Telmo (Church of Our Lady Belen), a XVIII c. jesuit church in the old parish of San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina" • Jo - "Workers and teacher houses in Machu Picchu.dng" • yaophotograph - "Colorful Autumn in Mount Fuji, Japan - Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the best places in Japan to enjoy Mount Fuji scenery of maple leaves changing color giving image of those leaves framing Mount Fuji." • Marc - "Große Sanddüne im Sonnenuntergang in der Sossusvlei Ebene in der Namib Wüste, der ältesten Wüste der Welt, Namibia."