Description
APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Who I am What we will be discussing Applying for scholarships generally Requirements/what they are looking for Applications Essays Supporting documents Process Interviews Follow on programs
YSEALI programs specifically Questions
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Brainstorm all the YSEALI scholarships or programs you’ve heard of Professional Fellows Academic Fellows YSEALI Mental Wellness for Reduction of Narcotics Use Regional Workshop Entrepreneurship Seminar on “Navigating the Startup Ecosystem” Enhancing ASEAN Human Capital in Health
BE IN THE KNOW Follow or sign up for programs to know when they are announced: Sign up for YSEALI: https://asean.usmission.gov/yseali/ US Embassy https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.rangoon https://mm.usembassy.gov/education-culture/yseali/ https://www.facebook.com/americancenter.rangoon/ YSEALI https://www.facebook.com/yseali/ https://asean.usmission.gov/yseali/ yseali.state.gov PFP: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysealipfp/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysealipfp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ysealipfp/ Academic https://mm.usembassy.gov/education-culture/yseali/academic-fellowship-announcement/
RESEARCH THE PROGRAMS Go online to their websites https://www.ysealipfp.org/ or https://mm.usembassy.gov/education-culture/yseali/academic-fellowship-ann ouncement/ Ask friends who are alumni Contact administrators Go to discussion sessions
KNOW THE PROCESS Start early. It takes time. What are the deadlines? How do you apply? What documents will you need?
WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR An investment in the future Scholarship programs look at applicants and participants as investments in the future of your country.
Creating networks Regionally, nationally, locally
Academic excellence Leadership skills Demonstrated commitment to service Potential to have an impact upon return from the program A clear vision of how the knowledge/skills acquired during the exchange can be used to better communities/society/country as a whole. Engaging individuals, with good communication skills, who are highly curious, open, and adaptable.
APPLICATION Be in a place with good internet. Use a computer. Review the application first. See if you can click ahead to see all of the questions to prepare. Can you save the application and come back to it?
ESSAYS Tell us about you. Why are you interested in the program? Why should we select you? How will you use this program in future work? How will this program impact you, your country or your organization? What are your career goals? How have you overcome challenges? Tell us how you are a leader.
TIPS FOR WRITING ESSAYS Give yourself time.
Answer the question.
BE SPECIFIC. Vague and broad statements make people stop reading.
No need to explain situation in Myanmar.
“I want to gain knowledge” or “I want to use my knowledge.”
Consider what is possible in a short amount of time.
Show your passion. Don’t pick a topic you think they want to hear about. Pick one you are passionate about.
Focus your goals on something you can change.
Be succinct. Every sentence should matter.
Be positive and hopeful about what you are going to do
Tie together what you do now to what you want to learn to what you will do after. Know your audience. You can’t use the same essay for every scholarship.
Show resilience, not just hardship.
STRUCTURE OF ESSAYS Have a topic sentence and theme throughout your essay. No one expected that a girl from a village in Sagaing would be the top of her graduating class and running her own organization, but that’s just what happened. The look on the face of a child when they receive a book, is what gets me through even the tough days.
Create an outline to organize your thoughts. Is it relevant? Use real life examples (show, don’t tell) Have a wrap up sentence. Don’t summarize, but conclude
PROOFREAD Proofread. Have others proofread. Have you really answered the question? Have we learned about you? Is it relevant to the scholarship you are applying for? Is it professional? Sell yourself but be humble. Don’t use cliches. Don’t use abbreviations, acronyms or CSO speak.
REFERENCES People who know you the best. Should be fluent in English or have it translated. Can be academic, work-related, personal. Should not be family. Should have access to internet. Just because they are important doesn’t mean they will be your best reference.
FINANCES Be sure to see what is covered on the program. Most YSEALI scholarships are fully covered (airfare, visa, room and board, expenses). Interview process expenses will not be covered.
VISA Be sure to have an updated passport J1 requires that you return to your country for two years after program
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREME NTS Specific degrees Experience Age Background Masters or undergrad Access to internet
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. Virtual academic residency and an integrated in-person experience approximately two to three weeks in length at a U.S. host institution. If conditions allow, travel to the U.S. to participate in educational and cultural activities inside and outside of the classroom, lectures and site visits to local communities.
ACADEMIC FELLOWSHIP YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement: University of Nebraska – Omaha and Kennesaw State University YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Environmental Issues and Natural Resource Management: the University of Montana and the East-West Center YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: the University of Connecticut and the University of Texas-Austin
ACADEMIC FELLOW REQUIREMENTS •Be a Myanmar citizen •Be between 18 and 25 years of age; •Have a strong interest in ASEAN-related issues; •Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; •Demonstrate interest, knowledge, or professional experience in environmental issues; •Demonstrate leadership qualities and commitment to community; •Have approval from your current employer or university to take a leave of absence; •Be currently living and working in his/her home country; •Be committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program and •Be willing to join the broader YSEALI network.
WHO ARE THEY LOOKING FOR Undergraduate students enrolled at colleges, universities, or other institutions of higher learning; or young professionals who have graduated within the past four years. All candidates must have a strong interest in a related topic but can come from any field of study.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS •Completed, signed application form (MS Word | 60KB) •A personal essay •High school completion certificate that shows your marks (scores) •University transcripts •Two letters of recommendation
PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM A two-way U.S. Department of State exchange program for professionals. Fellowship placement in an office in the US for 6 weeks. Fellows Forum in DC with all fellows. Follow-on reciprocal exchanges. Focused on a follow-on Action Plan.
PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM For the Professional Fellows Program, there are four themes that you can rank in order of interest: Civic Engagement Economic Empowerment Governance and Society Sustainable Development and the Environment.
PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS REQUIREMENTS •Be a citizen and resident of Myanmar. •Be an emerging leader in government, civil society, or the private sector who has demonstrated expertise pertaining to the respective theme under which he/she is applying. •Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application. •Be between 25 and 35 years old at the start of the program. •Be self-directed and able to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting. •Be able to identify an objective/project of their own selection that the applicant would like to implement in their home workplace or community. •Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and oral English. •Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.
WHO ARE THEY LOOKING FOR The Professional Fellows Program is looking for people who are already working in their field and are on the leadership track. People committed to their profession but also active volunteers. Able to put together an Action Plan that ties together what they’ve learned on the program.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CV/Resume References
POST PROGRAM Follow on programs Reciprocal exchanges Alumni networks Funding possibilities Eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops.
COMMON MISTAKES Too vague, not specific Not making a linear case for career path Not concise Citing your data, not your passion
QUESTIONS
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