Princeton in Asia fellow Jon Jay at the Summit of Amangeldy Peak (4000m) near Almaty, Kazakhstan (October 27, 2012)
The name of the Princeton in Asia (PiA) program can be a little deceiving because this fellowship is not just for Princeton graduates – this incredible program offers 150 one-year fellowships annually to recent graduates from any undergraduate institution. Founded by students in 1898 (that’s not a typo!), PiA aims to foster cross-cultural understanding by offering American graduates service-oriented positions throughout Central and West Asia in the fields of education, journalism, international development, business and English teaching. Through extended exposure to Asian workplaces and cultures, fellows develop a life-long appreciation for that region of the world.
PiA states they are looking for candidates who are open-minded, self-motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking, so it’s no surprise Jonathan Jay was chosen to be a 2012 Princeton in Asia fellow in Almaty, Kazakhstan. An avid skier with an academic background in international development, Jonathan impressed the PiA selection committee with his passion, adaptability and sense of adventure. We asked Jonathan to tell us more about his experience and his tips for the competitive application process.
1. What inspired you to apply for the Princeton in Asia fellowship?
I finished my graduate degree in Global Economics and International Development at the University of Denver’s (DU) Josef Korbel School of International Studies in 2011, and took a job as a substitute teacher in my hometown in Western Colorado since the hours were compatible with the ski competitions I was doing that time. As a substitute teacher and, later in the year, a teaching assistant to special needs students at the high school level, I discovered I really enjoyed teaching but I still wanted to live abroad and see a lot of the world. I was looking at a teaching program in Japan when a good friend passed along a link to the Princeton in Asia (PiA) program. I was immediately impressed with the program’s emphasis on service-based learning and the opportunity to enact real change without dealing with a highly structured or restrictive program. It was also the only program I found that had a few Central Asia posts, so I was inspired to apply.
Even though my studies at DU focused on the Xinjiang Province in Northwestern China and Kyrgyzstan, PiA’s post at KIMEP University in Almaty, Kazakhstan was right in between the two, and the position was at a business and economics university, which was in line with my research interests. Also, Almaty is right on the doorstep of the beautiful Tien Shan mountains, so I could teach and work in a place where I could also pursue my passion for skiing, mountaineering, and climbing. The location seemed like a perfect fit, and through the interview process, I learned the program was a perfect fit for my lifestyle as well. PiA does not have rigid regulations or strict protocol in terms of what a fellow is required to do. Instead, they emphasize finding the right person for the job, and then they step back and allow that person the latitude to make the most of the opportunity. I could not be happier with this fellowship overall, and that was a major factor in my choice to renew it for a second year. It has also put me on the path of continuing in academia since my role here allows for quite a bit of individual research. Over the next few years, I plan continue my research and eventually apply for a PhD program.
2. What has been the most “eye-opening” experience during your fellowship?
I did not have very much knowledge about Kazakhstan until I was in the application process with PiA, so I did not know that the economies in Almaty and Astana would be so much more developed than those in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan or Urumqi in China, which I studied about in University. When I told friends and family I was moving to Kazakhstan, everyone assumed I was moving to the country portrayed in in the movie “Borat” – living in a hut and paying for everything with goats. Also, no one could point it out on the map, and quite a few people wondered if it would be safe since it shares the same last syllable as Afghanistan. But the cities of Kazakhstan, in particular Almaty and Astana, are developing at a very fast rate, and there are all sorts of shiny new skyscrapers, flashy European cars, and plenty of overpriced, fancy restaurants. Along with these things, status symbols are highly valued, so people here extravagantly flaunt their wealth. At the same time, however, a one hour drive in any direction from Almaty is like stepping back in time. There are still animal markets, old bazaars, decrepit Ladas (old Russian cars), and very visible poverty in almost every village not affected by the natural resource wealth. With my background in Global Economics and International Development, this incredible income disparity and general lack of the middle class has been the most eye-opening thing to me, while the wealth and status symbols of the city where I live have been the most surprising thing for the people I keep in touch with in the U.S. and Europe.
3. What tips would you give others applying to Princeton in Asia?
First of all, Princeton in Asia is a pretty large program, with close to 180 posts from Almaty to Manila. If you have the slightest interest in teaching abroad or working in an entry-level job with a non-governmental organization abroad, it is worth looking into. Also, there is a possibility to switch posts for a second year, which is good if you are looking for a change of pace but not interested in leaving Asia. Finally, they are always adding new posts, so what is on the website now might not be the only options available, so keep an open mind about where you might want to go. Do not fret about the video part of the application, just be yourself and do what feels comfortable. This advice really applies for the interview as well. The connection with Princeton University is a little intimidating to some, but the thing that stood out to me was that the directors value candidates with personality and the ability to adjust, moreso than a strong academic background. So, if you happen to show up six hours late to your interview in Los Angeles because of a flight delay, in a suit but carrying a grungy overstuffed backpack and ski boots because you are heading directly to a ski trip, and can still keep your cool for the interview, there is a good chance you will end up somewhere in Asia. At least that’s how it worked out for me.
The deadline to apply to Princeton in Asia is November 16, 2013.
Jonathan Jay graduated from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies’ BA/MA program in 2011 as a Boettcher Scholar. He studied abroad as a Cherrington Global Scholar in Karlstad University in Karlstad, Sweden in 2008, and is currently a Princeton in Asia Fellow in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he teaches Academic Foundation Courses at KIMEP University. A former President of the DU Alpine Club, Jon grew up skiing, hiking and mountain biking in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and competed on the Freeskiing World Tour while in graduate school. His current passion is ski mountaineering, and there is certainly no shortage of big peaks and first descents in the Tien Shan Mountains just south of Almaty. He plans to pursue a PhD in International Affairs in the future. You can read his travel blog at: http://jonjay.org/
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Anna, 2012-13 Cooney Center Fellow
Recently we discovered one of the coolest digital media fellowships on the market – the Cooney Center Fellows Program at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop in the heart of New York City. The Cooney Center was named after Joan Ganz Cooney, one of the creators of Sesame Street, now the single largest informal educator in the world, reaching some 100 million children and families in more than 140 countries. Founded in 2007, the Cooney Center serves as an independent research and innovation lab that develops original research on emerging technologies that can support children’s learning. The Cooney Center Fellows Program offers a year-long fellowship that attracts a wide range of applicants with expertise in digital media and/or in the fields of communication, child development, education, learning sciences, psychology, computer science, design, and public policy. Fellows participate in the day-to-day operations of the Center including publication production, annual leadership forum planning, and contributions to the website and newsletter. Fellows also have the opportunity to undertake an independent research project.
Anna Ly, a current Cooney Center Fellow, recently completed a Master’s degree at Stanford University’s Learning, Design and Technology program. At Stanford, her work focused on User Experience Research and Design, educational Tangible User Interfaces, and socio-emotional learning for children with autism spectrum disorders. We caught up with Anna to learn more about the fellowship and get her tips for the application process.
1. What inspired you to apply for the Cooney Center Fellows Program?
While I was in graduate school, Lori Takeuchi (Director of Research at the Cooney Center) came to speak to my class about her work. She talked about various Cooney Center initiatives including a project called Story Visit, a research collaboration between Nokia Research Center and the Cooney Center. The project examined the role that technology can play to support family communication and foster children’s literacy development. When I saw this project, I knew immediately that I wanted to learn more about the Center. It touched upon my passion for tangible user interfaces, well-researched product design and education innovation. After doing some due diligence, I realized that the Center was (and still is) the perfect combination of child education, media and technology. I found it extremely appealing that advancing children’s learning through digital media is the primary focus. Moreover, the Cooney Center is housed in Sesame Workshop, a leader in educational media for young children! Who wouldn’t want to work alongside such creative minds?
Cookie Monster with current Cooney Center Fellows Christina Hinton and Anna Ly
2. What is a typical day like at the Cooney Center?
Since I work on both industry and research initiatives, I usually have a packed schedule that starts right when I come in. What fills my schedule also changes every day. I sometimes have status update meetings with different industry project teams to discuss what needs to be done. For example, I am working on the National STEM Video Game Challenge, which is a video game design competition for middle school and high school students inspired by Obama’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign. For that project, I helped launch the challenge and the challenge’s website so I have meetings with the web team and our partners on a daily basis. I get pulled into partnership development meetings as well to figure out if they are good fit and what potential projects we could do with them. I have research meetings with the research team to plan out our studies. On some days, I am interviewing kids about their media use and other topics. This past week, I was at two conferences (SXSW Interactive and the Digital Media and Learning Conference) to attend relevant sessions, track trends and develop business relationships. Each day is different from the other, which is what makes this job so exciting.
3. What is the application process like, and what do you think made your application standout?
There is a written application that includes submitting a resume/cv, a personal statement describing your background and why you would be a good fit, a writing sample, and references. There is a first round interview that happens in April. Finalists then go on to interview again in May and the final selection is announced in June. It is a fairly organized and straight-forward process. For both interviews, there are usually several Cooney Center members present including the Executive Director, Michael Levine and the Director of Research, Lori Takeuchi. I had the opportunity to talk to the current and past fellows during my interview process.
I think what made my application stand out was my industry and design experience. On the website, they mentioned they were looking for scholars in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and related fields. I fall in that HCI category. I’m also familiar with the educational technology trends and have built my own educational applications with the help of my graduate education and past work experiences. What also helped was my ability to independently manage projects. I have a business and finance background so I enjoy managing workstreams and regularly communicating with partners and stakeholders.
The next deadline for the Cooney Center Fellows Program is April 1, 2013! Learn more and apply now.
Anna Ly is an industry and research fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop where she supports their efforts in areas such as “Games and Learning” and “Learning Together.” During her time at Stanford, Anna worked for Intel as a User Experience Specialist in the PC Experience Planning Group where she focused on design in education. She has previously worked for IBM in the Global Business Services sector as a strategy consultant. Anna completed her undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon in Business and Human-Computer Interaction.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Stephanie Kozofsky, 2011-13 Jeannette K. Watson Fellow
I recently met Stephanie Kozofsky, a Pace University student studying in Manhattan, who is participating in a unique, competitive summer fellowship program called the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship. The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship provides internships, mentoring, and enriched educational opportunities to promising New York City undergraduates with the goal of increasing their life choices and developing their capacity to make a difference in their own and others’ lives. Each year 15 students are chosen for the fellowship and provided a variety of paid 10-week internships in the nonprofit, government and private sectors for three consecutive summers. Fellows also convene regularly with their peers to discuss their internship experiences and talk about important issues with distinguished New Yorkers. Excited to learn more, we asked Stephanie about her fellowship experience thus far.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship and what did you do during the course of the fellowship?
I was inspired to apply for the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship because of the amazing opportunities it offered. I loved the idea of three summers of meaningful internships. The fact that the third summer was going to be in an international setting was the icing on the cake!
I never realized how much I would gain from the fellowship. During the course of the fellowship so far, I have had two amazing internships. Fellows spend the first summer in a nonprofit institution. My internship was at the New York Historical Society in the Education Department. I had the opportunity to co-facilitate the high school internship program, which was a huge learning process for me. Fellows typically spend the second summer at a governmental or private sector entity. I was employed by Hughes Hubbard & Reed law firm, working with their pro bono Criminal Trial Program. While interning there, I helped prepare litigation members for court appearances. I also did legal research and gathered information for new cases on the rise. This summer will be my third and final summer with the fellowship. I will be interning in Berlin, Germany at the International Summer University of Freie Universität Berlin.
2. What are the biggest advantages of participating in the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship?
The biggest advantages of participating in the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship are hard to explain because there are so many! The main advantage is the supplemental program to the internship program. Throughout the summer, fellows participate in weekly speaker seminars to hear stories and advice from industry professionals. There are also weekly cultural events, to help the fellows bond with one another and learn more about the five boroughs that make up New York City.
3. What tips would you give other applying and interviewing for the fellowship?
For those applying to and interviewing for the fellowship, I would say be yourself! Each year, the Watson committee looks for a diverse group of innovative thinkers to make up the fellowship class. They are always looking for people who can think on their feet, have goals and dreams, and are passionate about social change.
Also the Watson committee believes that people should go outside their “comfort zone” and have the courage to put themselves in situations where they may be uncomfortable, in order to grow. Don’t let this topic intimidate you. Demonstrate your perseverance and willing to participate in such activities by describing a situation where your values were challenged or when you were in a situation that you had never experienced before. The application process itself is a new and challenging situation, so I would certainly encourage you to apply!
Stephanie Kozofsky is a senior at Pace University studying English Literature and Criminal Justice. She is originally from Hampton Bays, New York. She is actively involved in her school’s Student Government and she works as a Resident Advisor. She also teaches action civics two mornings a week through Generation Citizen. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and seeking out New York’s hidden gems. She is currently in her final year of the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
José G. González, 2012-13 Butler Koshland Fellow (Photo by Carrie Anne Castillo)
In 2013, the Butler Koshland Fellowships program is offering a new fellowship opportunity for one emerging leader to be paired with and mentored by the esteemed Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO of the Commonwealth Club of California. The Butler Koshland Fellowships program, based in San Francisco, is an exceptional fellowship that pairs accomplished leaders with an emerging leader for one year to work closely together on a project. The aim of the program is to identify and mentor the next generation of public service leaders. Previous mentor-fellow pairs include: Lucy Blake, a visionary conservationist and winner of the MacArthur “Genius” Award, paired with fellow Paul Burrow; Dr. Sandra Hernández, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, paired with fellow Shannon Malone; and Malcolm Margolin, founder and Executive Director of Heyday, paired with fellow Kate Brumage, who is now Executive Director of the Butler Koshland Fellowships organization. In general, the program seeks emerging leaders who have at least a few years of professional work experience, a demonstrated dedication to public service, a good work ethic, a strong desire to learn, and a unique perspective to share with the program. We sought to learn about the fellowship and application process from José G. González, a current Butler Koshland Fellow who is being mentored by Hugo Morales, Executive Director and Founder of Radio Bilingüe.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Butler Koshland Fellowship?
I applied to the Butler Koshland Fellowship because the concept of it seems so simple yet so powerful: find great people who are working to change the world and partner each with a talented younger person.
Specifically it provides a mentoring opportunity different than what I see as a “standard” fellowship. It was not just about gaining new skills and acquiring new knowledge. It was about having the support, the feedback, the insights, and the experience of working closely together with a talented Executive Director.
I was looking for an opportunity like this to “re-pivot” in the work I wanted to do. I wanted to benefit from a mentoring experience to see how I could take my professional development “to the next level” and see what I needed for the next steps. I was not just looking for another job, or another position at which to simply work. I wanted a growing and learning opportunity.
My current fellowship position exemplifies much of that. I am working with Hugo Morales, Executive Director and Founder of Radio Bilingüe. It is Latino public radio, serving as an example of needed diversity in the field of public radio, but also crucially delivering news and information to underserved communities. For example, our key audiences are Spanish-speaking immigrants and farmworkers.
I have helped Radio Bilingüe with a service expansion into new communities in the Southwest and I am working to develop their online presence. Yet, beyond such skills, from Hugo I learn everything from the “radio side” to insights of being an Executive Director: responsibilities of having and being on a board, strategic thinking, fund development, management, and networking.
Lastly I would mention the opportunity to connect with the other fellows and their mentors. Though we are under the same Fellowship, each of our positions is unique and I really value that diversity and the opportunity to share and learn from others in the Fellowship.
2. What was the application process like?
I can say there is no “right way” to “get the Fellowship.” The best advice I could give is to be confident in who you are and what you have done, taking pride in the experiences that have defined you and helped guide you to what you want to do. You are not just meeting a checklist of requirements, you are presenting yourself so as to show that you are ready to learn and engage, but that you also have knowledge and experience to share. You will be a Fellow and a mentee, but it will also be a two-way experience in which your mentor will learn from you—and you will contribute to the success of their organization.
“Recycling Por La Causa” (2013) by José G. González. The title refers to a common phrase in Chicano history “por la causa, for the cause” as taking actions for the dignity and rights of the community.
For me the application process started by submitting the initial application via email as noted in the posting info. This consists of your resume, cover letter, references and possibly writing samples. If selected, then you have an opportunity to meet with the mentor for an interview. This may include other people depending on the organization and their processes. It may also include multiple interviews. For me this included submitting additional writing samples and doing a follow-up interview that included other Radio Bilingüe staff. In the end, Hugo called me personally to let me know I was accepted as a Fellow.
From then on, defining “what you do” is key since there may be no specific job description you are fulfilling, but there are a lot of opportunities. For me it was important to define what I wanted “being a Fellow” to mean since you are not just another staff member for the organization—you have a unique role, and with the support of your mentor, it can really provide opportunities to learn and grow.
3. What would you like to do next?
The future and next steps are full of potential and opportunity. When others ask me “where do you see yourself in five years?”, I have come to realize that the answer can be full of surprises. Five years ago I could not really describe what I am doing now and the wonderful people I have met. But the goals I have in mind are fairly straightforward:
- Be a solution to the “diversity problem” in conservation and provide leadership and actionable items in diversifying the conservation movement.
- Be a resource, advocate, and “bridge” for Latinos and environmental/conservation organizations.
- Be an educator for Latino perspectives on environmental/conservation issues through presentations, media, and on-the-ground work.
For that I ask others to reach out to me, take a risk on the work I want to do, and provide opportunities to make this happen as I work to leverage and nurture cultura and comunidad for conservation. Whether I will be doing this by starting my own non-profit, finding a sponsoring organization, working where I am now or within a mainstream conservation organization—that is to be seen.
I tend to use the word “opportunity” a lot. Part of that is because I am a proverbial optimist. But what I have also come to discover is that while some opportunities may seem easy or given, they can also be defined as challenges to overcome. What matters is how one chooses to handle it and align it to the goals you have in mind. It requires your actions, not just waiting for them. That is something I work to keep in mind as I think about where I will be next—and what I have learned in this Fellowship.
José G. González is an educator with classroom and outdoor experience across all age levels, from elementary school to college. Currently he is a Butler Koshland Fellow with Radio Bilingüe and has served as an adjunct faculty member with the National Hispanic University in their Teacher Education Department, as well as Program Coordinator for the California Mini-Corps Program. José was also the recipient of the prestigious Doris Duke Conservation Fellowship. He is interested in the intersection of Latinos and environmental/conservation issues. Mexicano by birth, Chicano/Latino by identity, illustrator by practice, and conservationist by pursuit, he grew up in the California’s Central Valley. Contact him for ideas, thoughts, workshops, collaborations, etc. on Twitter @green_chicano and @JoseBilingue. Check out his blog and his other work, including his artwork, at www.greenchicano.com.
2012-13 Butler Koshland Fellow Jose Gonzalez with his mentor Hugo Morales, founder and executive director of Radio Bilingüe, the National Latino Public Radio Network (Photo by Butler Koshland Fellow Ben Fash: www.benfash.com)
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Next in my series on How To Fully Fund Your PhD, I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their doctoral programs in communications.
In the ProFellow database, we list several competitive fellowships for graduate and doctoral study. However, to be successful in fully-funding your studies I recommend seeking out PhD programs that offer full funding to all admitted students. When a university indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted doctoral student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, so be sure to research the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.
Columbia University Journalism School (New York, NY): A full-time Ph.D. student is generally offered a tuition exemption during the years he or she is completing coursework. Stipends are typically awarded for three years and generally require service as a teaching or research assistant.
New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development (New York, NY): The Department of Media, Culture, and Communication offers a complete funding and mentoring program to all admitted doctoral students.
Northwestern University School of Communication (Evanston, IL): All students who are admitted to our MA/PHD or PHD programs receive financial support packages including both fellowships and teaching assistantships. Regardless of whether applicants are domestic or international, all who are admitted to either our MA/PHD or PHD program receive funding.
Ohio State School of Communication (Cloumbus, OH): The School of Communication funds nearly every student we admit to our M.A. and Ph.D. programs with either a Graduate Associateship (teaching or research assistant) or some form of Graduate Fellowship (University or Enrichment Fellowship).
Purdue University Brian Lamb School of Communication (West Lafayette, IN): With few exceptions, graduate students accepted into the program receive funding, contingent on fulfilling degree milestones and requirements.
Simon Fraser University School of Communication (Burnaby, B.C., Canada): PhD students are normally funded for a minimum of six of their first nine semesters.
Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse, NY): Newhouse doctoral students are funded fully for three years and receive financial support from University Fellowships or research or teaching assistantships.
University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information (Lexington, KY): Both teaching and research assistantships are available to students. Typically, all students accepted into the program are fully funded.
University of Maryland Department of Communication (College Park, MD): With rare exemptions, the program currently admits only full-time students who are funded by teaching assistantships, administrative assistantships, and/or university fellowships. The department works with students that we admit to provide these funding opportunities to support their work.
University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication (Philadelphia, PA): All ASC graduate students are fully funded for up to five years, including tuition and fees, health care, teaching and research fellowships, and dissertation research fellowships.
To view over 460 professional and academic fellowships, including fellowships for graduate and doctoral study and pre- and post-doctoral research, sign up to view ProFellow’s fellowships database.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Hillary Evans, 2011-12 Fulbright Scholar in Tajikistan
We recently met Hillary Evans at our first Esteemed Fellows Dinner in San Francisco. When you first meet Hillary, she seems like your typical recent graduate. But when you ask her how she came to her new position at the Silicon Valley Center For Global Studies, you learn that while she was student, she lived and studied in some of the most far-fetched corners of the globe, including Russia, China and most recently, Tajikistan. During her senior year at Syracuse University, Hillary applied for a Fulbright Research Scholarship to study drug trafficking along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. We asked Hillary to tell us more about her fascinating Fulbright experience.
1. What inspired you to apply for a Fulbright in Tajikistan?
I’m extremely passionate about international education and public diplomacy efforts of engagement. What inspired me initially to apply for a Fulbright scholarship to Tajikistan was my itching travel bug (turns out, that never leaves some people!). I narrowed down a couple of languages that I wanted to learn and geographical regions I was most interested in, and was left with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran. Since there are no fellowships for American students that I was qualified for in Iran and Afghanistan, the decision was made for me. As a student of International Affairs focused on CIS countries, I was able to prepare a solid research proposal on current, relevant issues.
Tajikistan shares a long, mountainous, sparsely-regulated border with opium-rich Afghanistan. Estimates of Tajikistan’s economic dependence upon profits from the trafficking of opium via the Northern Route ranges from 30-50% of their GDP, making this an incredibly relevant national security issue for the United States. So, given Tajikistan’s geopolitical importance, it seemed only natural to write a grant proposal on “The Economics and Politics of the Opium Trade from Afghanistan.”
Once I found out I was granted the research scholarship for 2011-12, I started networking like crazy in Washington, DC and set myself up with a nice arrangement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as a supporting institution. In exchange for social media/marketing/and press relations training and assistance at their office, they gave me access to their broad network of contacts in the field and included me on several UN border missions.
2. How has the experience impacted your career path and interests?
Hillary Evans with Tajikistan Ambassador Abjujabbor Shirinov (credit: Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences)
While I have yet to formally publish anything on my findings, I anonymously contributed to several articles written by journalists passing through demonstrating my ultimate conclusion: without the profits of the drug trade, Tajikistan would be a failed state, which is not in anyone’s interest. Questions that I am currently exploring and working to articulate diplomatically are: Why then spend so much money and resources on counter narcotics enforcement?; How are the counter narcotics training and US-funded programs affecting Tajikistan?; and What would be left, if all of the opium fields were eradicated in Afghanistan?
Had I taken credit for my contributions, it would have jeopardized my connections and positions. A friend of mine was a journalist who experienced the unfortunate wrath of the Tajik government, and was forced to pay some hefty bribes to leave the country for fear of being arrested. Naturally, I was cautious.
I’m now back in the U.S. and working as a contract manager for a U.S. State Department-funded distance education enhancement program in Pakistan. Our goal is to give them the pedagogical resources to expand their operations and outreach and make them more capable of providing affordable or free education. One of the ways we are doing this is by building a partnership between San Jose State University and Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad. Eventually, I hope to join the Foreign Service someday as a Cultural Affairs Officer, or Public Diplomacy Officer.
3. What advice would you give others applying for a Fulbright?
A Fulbright application differs greatly from country to country, and when selecting your destination and research topic, you should be aware of what the particular selected country/region has a demand for. You can do this by researching the US Embassy funded programs and by keeping yourself abreast of current international issues. This is not to say that if you choose something that does not fall under the “necessary” category, you will not be picked. Just keep in mind that the Public Affairs section of the US Embassy does the final selection.
When planning for a supporting host institution, or “affiliation,” make sure you’ve reached out to several people within that institution that are willing to support you. In order to secure mine, I drew up an informal “memorandum of understanding” and wrote where I could volunteer and help out in their organization in exchange for office space, contacts, resources, etc. People are usually open to free labor! If you need assistance on selecting one, the US Embassy Public Affairs office staff are generally willing to help, or I would be more than happy to be someone to bounce ideas off of – especially in CIS countries!
Another piece of advice that may go without saying for most people would be to show up to your interviews knowing more about your research topic than your panel (or at least appearing to with confidence). They don’t want to fund someone that they think might get there and just be wandering and lost the whole time. Show focus, determination, and passion for your topic. Indicate clear goals and timelines. You will not necessarily have to stick with it, everyone knows when you get in country things tend to shift. This is where many of my fellow Syracuse applicants did not pass. They wrote amazing grant proposals, but had no clear plans of how to deliver and conduct their research.
Lastly, know the language of the country you are applying to. This will make your application more competitive and your life a whole lot easier.
Hillary Evans earned her B.A. in International Relations, with a concentration in Europe and Eurasian countries, from the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In her fall semester of 2009, she was accepted into the Library of Congress’ Open World Leadership Program, a prestigious international security studies work/study program in Washington, DC, where she interned at a public diplomacy organization specializing in Eurasia. Hillary is now the Contract Manager for the Pakistan Distance Education Enhancement Program at the Silicon Valley Center For Global Studies of the San Jose State University Research Foundation in California. She speaks fluent Russian, moderate Mandarin Chinese, and some Tajik/Farsi.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Scott Burns, 2007-2008 Alfa Fellow
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Burns, a successful finance professional turned startup entrepreneur, and former Alfa Fellow. Scott took his first steps toward his Alfa Fellowship immersion when he joined the US Peace Corps in Kazakhstan. There he managed a local NGO and taught economics at a regional university. Afterwards, he assumed leadership roles in organizations providing infrastructure and financial advisory services in emerging markets. Scott is grateful for the opportunities the Alfa Fellowship offered him.
The Alfa Fellowship Program facilitates work placements for accomplished young professionals from the U.S. and Britain in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, public policy and related areas. As part of his fellowship Scott arranged a role with Alfa Capital Partners (ACP), a Russian private equity and real estate investment advisory firm. As an investment manager in Moscow, Scott deployed commitments from a $160 million private equity fund and contributed on the boards of several Eastern European logistics providers. More recently he built an emerging markets-focused business line within a major European energy consulting firm (part of the $2bn revenue DNV group).
We asked Scott more about his path to the Alfa Fellowship and how that experience shaped his career.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Alfa Fellowship?
Before applying, I had spent some time in the Former Soviet Union and was fascinated by the region. While in graduate school, a friend shared an Alfa Fellowship Program (AFP) description with me during a phone conversation. I was struck by the way the program aligned with my professional interests. I hoped to build my understanding of Russia and Russian language, while learning more, in particular, about local infrastructure finance. The AFP offered an ideal platform for exploring these themes and directly experiencing Russian life, society, and commerce.
2. How has the experience impacted your career path and interests?
Scott at Tsoi Wall in Moscow
On being selected for the program, I was able to find professional placement in an investment advisory group, AlfaCapital Partners (ACP), managing a fund focused on transport infrastructure in Eastern Europe. I enjoyed my experience there. After the program, I stayed on full-time with ACP for several years. The entire period had a significant impact on my professional development. Through my work, I gained valuable perspective on building and managing companies, transaction structuring and investment analysis. The experience was particularly unique for the immersion it offered in emerging market commercial environments, through which I gained a much clearer understanding of their associated risks and opportunities.
3. What advice would you give to others applying to the Alfa Fellowship?
Prospective fellows should focus on understanding exactly what they would like to get out of the program. The AFP does a great job of facilitating learning opportunities, but participants need to be diligent about taking advantage of these opportunities. If you don’t have a clear idea of the specific field you’d like to explore within the Russian context or lack strong reasons for your specific interests, you may not get the most out of participation.
Also, when exploring potential professional interests prior to application, I would suggest that a prospective fellow try to speak to current or former fellows with similar work experience. They may be able to offer a lot of insight not available through general background research. Their guidance may help the applicant make a better choice regarding the professional fields he/she chooses to explore.
Scott is now based in California, launching a company that uses technology to make sophisticated money management tools accessible for mainstream America. He is a CFA charterholder with a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from Whitman College, and a master’s degree in International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Scott currently serves as Vice President of the Alfa Fellowship Alumni Program.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Meghan Leinbach, 2011 Fellow of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX)
Through word of mouth, Meghan Leinbach discovered an extraordinary way to study and work abroad the year after her graduation from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2011, Meghan was a part of cohort of 75 Americans and 75 Germans who participated the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX), a fellowship funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress, that annually provides young professionals the opportunity to spend one year in each others’ countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural immersion program. Cultural Vistas, a non-profit organization headquartered in New York, has administered CBYX for Young Professionals for over 29 years, together with its German partner organization, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Agency for International Cooperation). The fellowship program is broken into three phases. American fellows spend the first eight weeks studying German at the Carl Duisberg Centrum (CDC) language school in one of three locations: Cologne, Radolfzell, or Saarbrücken. Following completion of the language school phase, participants relocate to their permanent placement in Germany. During the following “study phase”, most fellows study at a German university to gain an understanding of the higher education system with regard to their career field, and they also seek out volunteer work. During the final “internship phase”, fellows apply to and secure an internship position in their locality. The fellowship includes round-trip airfare, tuition, housing and a monthly stipend. Intrigued by this incredible opportunity, we asked Meghan about her experience in CBYX.
1. What inspired you to apply for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX)?
Keeping my German heritage alive is what motivates me to continue studying German culture and language. I knew I would always regret it if I did not become fluent in German, so while attending the University of Pittsburgh I majored in German and History of Art & Architecture. During my final year at Pitt, I was looking for an opportunity to continue to improve my German, as well as my professional aspirations. My landlord Peter was an alumnus of the CBYX program and he knew I was a German major, so he recommended I apply for the 2011-2012 year. After researching CBYX for myself, I found the program to be very appealing because it encouraged applicants from all education backgrounds and professional fields to participate. The format of the program was also a huge draw for me: it includes two months of intensive language classes followed by four months of study at a German university and a five month internship. The structure allowed for so much interaction with the German language, I knew I would be confident in speaking German after a year. I also knew I wanted to go to Germany, experience the German culture and gain more professional experience, so I took Peter’s advice and applied.
2. Where did you intern and how did you find your internship?
The CBYX program placed me in Berlin, where I lived with a German family for a few months. My career objective was to work for a cultural institution or museum and to share my passion for art, language and history with others, so the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation) was the largest and best place to do this. After applying for an internship online to the SPK, my host mother helped me by writing to a contact she had there, who then recommended me for a position in the Publications and Merchandising department of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (National Museums of Berlin).
The Publications and Merchandising department was a small team of people who coordinated the author contracts and the distribution of the exhibition catalogues and museum merchandise. As an intern, I helped by preparing contracts, planning, coordinating, copy-editing and producing posters, postcards and other merchandise. I also acted as liaison and translator for international communication. While I enjoyed working with my colleagues and working for such an esteemed cultural institution, I found that perhaps an office environment is not the right place for me and that I might be better suited for a more hands-on job. I am so grateful for the experience I had at my internship, because without it, I might not have learned this about myself.
3. What tips would you give others applying to the CBYX fellowship?
Even though the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program accepts applicants from every vocation, there does exist a common thread in those who are accepted: career goals and a genuine interest in Germany. Emphasize your passion for both and your application will stand out. I would also tell applicants to show flexibility, since the program will place you anywhere in Germany.
Born and raised in the heart of Amish country, Meghan Leinbach lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she is currently saving up for her many ambitions. A 2011 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Meghan holds a B.A. in German and History of Art & Architecture. As fervent lover of the humanities, she enjoys watercolor painting and hopes to work with and inspire youth in the future.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Submitted by the Council on Foreign Relations
The Program: Launched in 1949 with support from the Carnegie Corporation, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship seeks to promote the quality of responsible and discerning journalism that exemplified the work of Edward R. Murrow. In 1965, the program was renamed in his honor and is supported by the CBS Foundation and Ford Foundation. One CFR resident fellowship is awarded each year to a distinguished foreign correspondent or editor. The Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow spends nine months full time in residence at CFR’s headquarters in New York City. The program enables the fellow to engage in sustained analysis and writing, expand his or her intellectual and professional horizons, and extensively participate in CFR’s active program of meetings and events.
Eligibility: The program is only open to applicants who have distinguished credentials in the field of journalism and who have covered international news as a working journalist for print, broadcast, or online media widely available in the United States. Applicants are limited to those individuals who are authorized to work in the United States and who will continue to be authorized for the duration of the fellowship. CFR does not sponsor for visas.
Fellowship Award: The program awards a stipend of $65,000 as well as a modest travel grant. The fellow is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee of CFR, and is not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance.
Application Deadline: Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online between January 1 and March 1, 2013.
For More Information: Email fellowships@cfr.org.
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