CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange is pleased to announce the establishment of the Speedwell Study Abroad Scholarship for participation in CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs during the Fall 2011 semester. These scholarships, funded by a generous grant from the Speedwell Foundation, will make it possible for ten 2011 graduates of Lancaster and Lebanon County (Pennsylvania) high schools to participate in one of six semester-long CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs, located in Valparaíso, Chile; Shanghai, China; Santiago, Dominican Republic; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; or Seville, Spain.
The gap year, long a feature of education in the U.K. and Australia, is an experience designed specifically for students between high school and college. Gap year participation, an opportunity to gain language fluency, explore new educational interests, and gain maturity, is fast gaining popularity in the U.S. CIEE Gap Year Abroad offers recent high school graduates who have deferred college enrollment the opportunity for intensive language study, homestay accommodation, volunteer service, and cultural immersion in one of six Gap Year Abroad locations around the world.
The Speedwell Study Abroad Scholarship will cover program costs, including round trip international air travel, of a semester abroad (Fall 2011) in one of six CIEE Gap Year Abroad locations. Recipients will be selected in a competitive process with multiple reviewers, based on academic achievement, maturity and flexibility, genuine interest in the program, appreciation for the scholarship, and recommendations.
Interested graduating high school seniors are invited to learn more and access the application form at www.ciee.org/gap/speedwellscholarship. All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Spring 2011 graduate of a Lancaster/Lebanon high school, including private high schools
• Minimum GPA of 3.0, two years of high school language study
• College or university application(s) in progress at the time of applying
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2011. Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1. Prospective applicants should contact their school counselor or CIEE International Studies Director Caeley Cote (ccote@ciee.org, 207.553.4127, www.ciee.org/gap/speedwellscholarship) for more information.