Naomi Gunderson Scholarship for Foreign Language Study Abroad
Overview
The Naomi Gunderson Scholarships for Foreign Language Study Abroad are awarded each year to University of Iowa undergraduate students to develop proficiency in a foreign language while studying abroad. $4,000 is awarded annually.
Naomi Gunderson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1916 and her master’s degree in 1919. She went on to teach Latin, Spanish and English in Iowa and California high schools. Upon her death at age 92, Naomi Gunderson left a bequest to the University of Iowa to provide scholarships to students who wish to spend at least a semester in the country whose language they are studying. This award is a fitting tribute to a remarkable teacher who, in order to prepare herself for teaching Spanish, made several trips to Mexico to study.
Award Details
Award Amount
$1,000
Deadline For Spring Programs
October 15, 2007
Deadline For Fall Programs
March 3, 2008
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply, students must:
- be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at the University of Iowa
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- have earned a minimum of 45 s.h. by the time of application
- have completed at least two years of language study in the target language (this restriction may not apply for less commonly taught languages)
- propose to study abroad for at least one semester during the academic year
- clearly demonstrate their intention to develop advanced proficiency in the language
Students may enroll in a formal academic program sponsored by the University of Iowa or by another accredited U.S. university or exchange organization, or they may enroll directly in a foreign university. Preference is given to students who are studying one of the languages taught at the University of Iowa and who propose to study abroad for an academic year at a foreign university.
Application
Applications are available at the Office for Study Abroad, 1111 University Capitol Centre or you can download the Merit Based Scholarship Application.
Selection Procedure & Criteria
Applications are reviewed by (and finalists will be interviewed by) faculty members of the Study Abroad Scholarship Committee. The following criteria are used in recommending awards:
- clearly defined academic and personal objectives
- academic achievement and preparation
- quality and completeness of the project proposal
- contribution of the study abroad experience to the student's overall academic program
- evidence of maturity, motivation and adaptability to a different cultural environment
- demonstrated interest in learning a foreign language/learning about a foreign culture