Home and Abroad: Report
A Year of Intensive Reporting
SRAS's Home and Abroad: Report offers $10,000 to students who want to build writing, research, reporting, and language skills at home and abroad. The scholarship applies to a specific academic program from SRAS lasting approximately one year with a rigorous internship component included.
The Internship
Students begin their internship from home beginning June 1, 2013 and continue the internship on a more intensive scale once abroad. Students will research and write articles and other materials related to Eurasia for a general audience. These will likely cover politics, culture, food, international relations, and more. The internship will begin under the staff of SRAS and its publications and then largely move to Kyiv Weekly, Kyiv Post, or similar. Materials produced will be published on SRAS.org, its partner sites, and/or Kyiv Weekly, Kyiv Post, or similar.
The Program and Scholarship
The related study abroad program will include a $5,000 scholarship which may be applied to the Fall, 2013 semester of Russian as a Second Language offered in Kiev, Ukraine. The student may also attend all classes and seminars offered as part of Policy and Conflict in the Post Soviet Space (on an audit basis) and may choose to participate in any travel included for that program (at additional cost). Moldova, Russia, the Crimea, and Georgia are currently scheduled as travel destinations.
The student, upon completion of all requirements, will then receive a scholarship of $4,995 which may be applied to the Spring, 2014 semester of Report from Abroad, also based in Kiev, Ukraine. The internship portion for this second half will continue from the first – served with SRAS and Kyiv Weekly, Kyiv Post, or similar. The total value of the scholarship is thus worth about $10,000 and the total cost to the student is $7,995 as indicated below.
Russian as Second Language = $8,995 - $4,000 = $4,995
Report from Abroad = $8,995 - $5,995 = $3,000
The program and internship are designed to require a very intensive writing schedule – one that should prepare a student of journalism well for their chosen profession. The student will reside in a homestay while in Kiev.
The Student
Applicants must have previous experience in journalism. Previous Russian study is desirable, but not required for eligibility. Applicants must possess native or near-native English skills and strong writing and research skills. The student will be well-organized, motivated, have his/her own laptop, and be able check email once per day. The student must be able to work independently and creatively. The student will be adventurous and eager to explore all aspects of Eurasia and to inform others about these subjects.
- Dates and Costs -
Cost: $7,995*
Dates: June 1, 2013 - May 17, 2014
Apply by April 30, 2013
Final Decisions Made: Before May 20
Internship from Home Begins: June 1
Program Abroad Begins: September 5
The Application
Students will apply according to SRAS's regular application procedure, indicating Russian as a Second Language as their base program. Students should list "Home and Abroad: Report" as an additional program of choice. In addition, students must submit:
- Two academic papers longer than 10 pages each;
- Two examples of published reporting;
- One paragraph explaining why the student wants to participate in this program;
- A letter of recommendation from a former (current) employer and a former (current) professor.
All of these additional materials should be emailed to Josh Wilson, SRAS Assistant Director. Students indicating interest in Home and Abroad Program are not required to pay the $250 deposit until after acceptance. The deposit will be due on May 30, 2013, or before. Only the $50 application fee is due at the time of application. All questions about the Home and Abroad program may be addressed to Josh Wilson.
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The Selection Process
Once students have completed the application process for Home and Abroad: Report, they may be asked to revise or edit their writing submissions to test how well they work with an editor over email. A telephone interview may also be arranged. Based on the outcome of this process, students will be informed if they will remain in consideration for the scholarship. Final decisions will be made before May 20.
Program F.A.Q.
What if I am not currently a student anywhere?
Not a problem. For more on eligibility issues, please see our main FAQ page.
What is the total cost of this program?
Students will pay the $50 application fee upon applying. The $250 deposit is due after acceptance and no later than June 1, 2013. The remaining $6,745 ($6,995 - 250 deposit) is due before September 1, 2013.
What do the program costs cover?
Program costs include tuition for study as outlined, visa and registration, pre-departure materials, local orientation, health and accident insurance, home stay w/half board, round-trip airport transfers, SRAS in-country support, and use of a mobile telephone for the duration of the program.
What are my odds of getting in this program?
There is one scholarship available for Home and Abroad: Report from Abroad. Chances of getting in are entirely dependent on how many applications are received and upon the quality of those applications. Students not accepted for the program may apply for another SRAS program without having to pay the $50 application fee again.
I have no employment experience - what do I do about the recommendation?
Students who do not have a past employer to request a recommendation from may submit a recommendation from anyone who can comment on the student's ability to work hard, work creatively, and work independently. This may be someone who oversaw the student's participation in volunteer work, community projects, campus activism, student government, Russian (or other) clubs, or a (second) professor who can comment on these issues.
What form should the recommendations take?
The recommendation from the professor should be completed according to our online form (part of the application process). The second should be a free-form letter but should cover three topics: the student's ability to work hard, work creatively, and work independently. We prefer that the person writing the recommendation letter email it directly to Josh Wilson.
Do the papers or articles need to be about topics related to Eurasia?
We prefer papers and articles about any of the states which were once part of the former Soviet Union. However, we will accept any examples that the student considers to be outstanding examples of his/her writing.
Can this scholarship be applied to any other program or location?
No.
What if I am not a US citizen?
Not a problem so long as you have native or near-native English skills. For more on eligibility issues, please see our main FAQ page.
