Fellows Application Details

Program Structure and Application Process

Pre-Travel

Upon completion of a rigorous two-stage application and interview process, a maximum of ten students are selected each fall as MSC L.T. Jordan Fellows. The Fellows are then recognized at a banquet in the spring with their guests, academic advisors, and Texas A&M University officials. In preparation for this independent international travel, Fellows will participate in educational programs related to international topics, which may include monthly seminars, films, exhibits, and lectures.

Post-Travel

Upon returning, each Fellow is required to:

• Write a 7-20 page report describing the experience.
• Deliver a 20-30 minute narrated slide presentation (PowerPoint with photographs is suitable) of the cultural experience and research during travel.

These tasks assist the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute in its continuing goal of developing international awareness among the students of Texas A&M.

Application Process

The Fellows application process is conducted in three steps:

1. Pre-Proposal

• Completed Coversheet
• Resume (Limited to two pages)
• Essay discussing:
  • Destination
  • Purpose
  • Benefits to the applicant
• A letter from an advisor stating the relevance of the proposed research to the applicant’s academic or career goals.

All else being equal during pre-proposal evaluation, preference will be given to applicants who:

• Have little or no international travel experience but who have demonstrated interest in or awareness of international affairs.
• Will be fully immersed in an international culture.
• Are receiving little or no other international grant money.
• Receive the greatest benefit from the grant money.
• Are moderately competent in the native language of the destination.
• Plan for duration and intensity (at least one month).
• Have designed a program that coincides with the applicant’s long-term academic or career goals.
• Are innovative and organized.

2. Proposal

• Detailed travel itinerary
  • The MSC L.T. Jordan Fellow must begin travel after the end of the semester of acceptance but before December 31 of the following year. (For example, the 2005-2006 Fellows would be required to begin travel between December 4, 2005 and December 31, 2006.)
  • A detailed plan of activity is critical for consideration as a Jordan Fellow. Should you be selected as a Jordan Fellow, specifics of your proposed itinerary may be modified if necessary. The required information should be submitted in a timeline format on separate pages.
  • Your travel itinerary should include (but is not limited to):
    • Country or countries you plan to visit.
    • Length of time you plan to stay in each country.
    • Cities you intend to visit.
    • Length of time you plan to stay in each city.
    • Activities you intend to pursue (i.e. study, research, employment, museums, cultural events, historical sites, visiting friends or family, etc.).
    • How you plan to travel from city to city.
    • What type of accommodation you intend to use in each city (i.e. youth hostel, bed and breakfast, hotel, private residence, etc.).
    • Brief description of why you have chosen to visit that particular city/region/country.
  • All submissions should be detailed and realistic according to your time and funding constraints.
  • Estimated budget
    • The budget will be used to decide how much funding the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness will give to each Fellow.  Each fellow will receive up to $2,000, based upon the strength of the application.  List and total all anticipated sources of funding and expenses.
    • This includes but is not limited to:
      1. Transportation (including travel by land, air, or sea)
      2. Lodging
      3. Food allowance
      4. Insurance/medical coverage
      5. Other expenses related to your chosen activity (i.e. hiking gear for mountaineers; books, fees, tuition for scholars; camera and gear for photographers; clothes for job-seekers, etc.)
      6. Alternative sources of funding (i.e. general spending money, loans, savings, other grants, etc.)
    • Please provide realistic and detailed information in the budget.
  • Official Transcript(s)
  • Three completed recommendations
    • Three recommendation forms should be requested from persons qualified to evaluate you. At least two of these references must be academic.  All references must use a copy of the form provided. References should mail their remarks in a sealed envelope directly to the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness at the address listed on the form. All three recommendations must be received by the deadline, or your application will be considered incomplete.

3. Interview

Interviews will be conducted in-person with members of the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute, MSC L.T. Jordan Student Committee, and Texas A&M Faculty.