The SRAS Home and Abroad Program
a scholarship program for future translators, academics, and adventurers!
|
| This Program is Available in: |
|
| |
|
| |
|
The SRAS Home and Abroad Program offers $10,000 to students who want to build translation, writing, research, and language skills at home and abroad. The scholarship may be applied to any SRAS program held in Irkutsk or Vladivostok lasting a full academic year. A rigorous internship component will be included with the program.
The Internship
Students begin their internship from home. Under the guidance of SRAS staff, students will translate texts ranging in subject matter from business to politics to culture. These projects will widen students' Russian vocabularies while helping them develop a marketable skill in a much-needed profession. Students will continue translating once in Russia and will also take on tasks that will encourage them to get out, explore, and be active. Students will write restaurant and cultural event reviews for the SRAS website, as well as update our online city guide and our student university guide. Students additionally will research and write three three-page articles and complete one major translation project (usually a political platform) during the course of their program. Most of the student's work will be published online on SRAS.org and/or our partners' sites, creating a solid professional portfolio.
The Program
Eligible programs for this scholarship include full-year sessions of Russian as a Second Language (RSL), The Russian Far East (RFE), and Siberian Studies (SS). If the student selects RFE or SS, the internship listed for the second semester will be with SRAS but will include additional tasks related to Siberia or the Russian Far East.
The Student
Applicants will have advanced Russian skills, native or near-native English, 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. Most translation projects will be expected to be completed 72 hours after they are assigned. The student will be able to work independently and creatively. The student will be adventurous and eager to explore their chosen Russian city independently.
Program Dates
Applications Due: May 15, 2013!
Final Decisions Made: Before May 20
Internship from Home Begins: June 1
Program Abroad Begins: September 5
Program Abraod Ends: May 17, 2014
The Application
Students will apply according to SRAS's regular application procedure, indicating which city and which base program (RFE, SS, or RSL) they are interested in. Students should list the "Home and Abroad Program" as an additional program of choice. In addition, students must submit two academic papers longer than 10 pages. Students will submit additionally one paragraph explaining why they want to participate in this program as well as 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 within one week of acceptance. All questions about the Home and Abroad program may be addressed to Josh Wilson.
The Selection Process
Once students have completed the application process for Home and Abroad and for RSL, RFE, or SS, they will be given short tests in translation (by email, usually the first will be received within a few days of completing the application). Tests will be evaluated based on style, accuracy, speed (they must be completed within 24-72 hours), and the author's ability to edit their text based on editorial comments and feedback. 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 20th.
Start Your Application!
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.
How does this program work?
Home and Abroad is essentially an add-on to full-year sessions of Russian as a Second Language (RSL), The Russian Far East (RFE), and Siberian Studies (SS) in Irkutsk and Vladivostok, adding an internship and scholarship to these programs simultaneously. Tuition and fees are all as listed on the program pages for RSL, RFE, or SS. The scholarship then discounts the tuition by $10,000. So, in the case of RFE, for instance, tuition would be just $2,495 for the year (12,495 - 10,000 = 2,495).
What are my odds of getting the scholarship?
This is the first year SRAS has offered this program, so we don't know how many applications we will receive. However, we have two scholarship places to fill - one in Irkutsk and the other in Vladivostok. Students not accepted for the program may still attend the RSL, RFE, or SS course without the Home and Abroad scholarship and internship or may change their application to attend a shorter or less expensive SRAS program.
I have not had work 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 even 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.
Do the papers need to be about Russia-related topics?
We prefer papers on Russia-related topics. However, we will accept any examples that the student considers to be outstanding examples of his/her writing.
Can this program be applied to learning another language besides Russian?
This program is only open to those students interested in building Russian skills. Other languages offered by SRAS programs can be studied as customized additions (which may entail extra costs) to the three eligible programs.
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.
