May 7, 1999

3 KU STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY ABROAD

• Matt McGarry, Woodbridge, N.J., senior majoring in Russian and Eastern European Studies to study at Moscow State University for academic year 1999-2000.
• Heather Hart, Lawrence sophomore majoring in Russian and Eastern European Studies to study at Moscow State University for fall 1999.
• Bihn Thai, Larned sophomore majoring in chemical engineering to study Mandarin language through the EducAsia Summer in China program in Beijing, China, for summer 1999.

The NSEP scholarship, initiated in 1994, is a U.S. government program to provide U.S. undergraduates with the resources and encouragement needed to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the nation's future security. Awards can be up to $8,000 for a semester or summer session and $16,000 for a full year. Scholarship recipients must agree to work for an agency of the federal government with national security responsibilities for a period of time equal in length to that of their time abroad.

Beau Pritchett, program coordinator in KU's Office of Study Abroad, said, "The most important part of the application is the statement of purpose. Students put a great deal of effort into their proposal for studying abroad when applying for the NSEP award."

A faculty review committee assesses the applications and interviews the students before the materials are sent to the NSEP office in Washington D.C. The applications then go through another review process before a final decision is made.

For more information on the NSEP scholarships, contact Beau Pritchett in the Office of Study Abroad at (785) 864-3742 or osa@ukans.edu.