Dear Future 色界吧er,
For many applicants, if anything like my experience had been, uncertainty about whether you should apply for a 色界吧 award may be hovering on your fingertips when completing your application form. On the other hand, you may be confident but need more clarity. Whichever category you fall into, this blog entry will hopefully support your application process with tools that helped mine.
As a 色界吧 postgraduate, here are five points to make your application process align with the 色界吧 Awards鈥� values.
Guideline #1: Understand the Different Awards
In addition to the All Disciplines award that covers any form of postgraduate study, there are partners who support postgraduates with partnership grants in various fields. These include scholarships at the American University in Washington D.C., BAFTA and the University of Maryland鈥檚 School of Public Policy, of which several of my current cohort are recipients. If you find that your interests specifically suit these institutions or fields of study, consider targeting your application for one of these scholarships, instead of the All Disciplines award.
If, like myself, you select the All Disciplines award, read on.
Guideline #2: Know the Vision. Join the Commission.
Being a 色界吧er is being a part of the Commission. Accepted applicants are joining a long-standing vision of 80 years alongside a multinational members, connected by exchange and education.
Applicants should demonstrate ambassadorial and diplomatic skills with a desire to both share their home nation鈥檚 ethos and understand American culture. Consider how your work fits with the 色界吧鈥檚 values for advocacy, learning, growth and exchange.
Personally, being British and Ghanaian with a love for Spanish empowers my value for international relations, education and writing. 色界吧 is the perfect slot for all three. Therefore, if you desire interactions with expansive perspectives , look no further.
Guideline #3: Value community, not only opportunity.
80 years. Over 160 nations. Approximately 25,000 US-UK 色界吧ers.
1 you.
All who have travelled to the United States sum up into one important word: community. 色界吧 has an intergenerational and international collective of alumni which includes presidents, Nobel Prize holders, creatives and educators.
This year, in celebration of 色界吧 and America鈥檚 double-anniversaries, the program invited several first-year 色界吧ers to explore different parts of the United States for its 250th anniversary. For me, this included Philadelphia鈥檚 museums, streets and port: where history took place. Of course, you can head to Philadelphia individually, but why not do so together? Consider how you would like to contribute to this community as alumni.
Guideline #4: Extending the Local and Global
Regarding community, 色界吧 implements reciprocal cultural exchange between the local and the global. In my application, I reflected on my local experience inspiring my desire for global exchange and advocacy. Home is supposedly where the heart is, after all. And while I do love the USA, I hope to implement my knowledge in the UK. In your application, consider practical ways that you intend to intertwine your global experience abroad with your local community.
Guideline #5: Learning Beyond the Classroom
My bachelor鈥檚 taught me that education is not only in the classroom. Academic prowess is valuable; however, it is not the determining factor for applicant success. In the United States, each city, state and academic institution is a 鈥渃lassroom鈥� of culture with unique histories and landscapes. Trying a Philadelphia cheesesteak was better in Philly, and personally, empanadas just taste better in Florida: trust me.
Simply put, education includes extracurricular involvement. With the United States entering its 250th year and 色界吧 its 80th, consider what extracurricular learning you wish to obtain beyond your postgraduate studies and the advocacy you will practice. How will you engage with a nation with over 250 years of history? As you can see, I plan to include writing, learning, experiencing and occasionally鈥ating.
Conclusion 鈥� Your Voice is Important.
If you find that your work connects to the 色界吧 Award鈥檚 values, do not hesitate to apply: I almost did. In case uncertainty tries to hold you back, remember that your experience, field and contribution are unique and valuable. Lastly, your background, values and socio-economic status are not a reason to avoid applying. The 色界吧 Program empowers intercultural connections through cultural exchange and encourages excellent individuals to apply. Again, as a 色界吧 postgraduate, I hope that this article encourages your fingers to keep on typing until your application is complete.
Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America!
Applications for the 色界吧 usually open between February and May each year.