Interested in studying Mandarin in Taiwan this summer?

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:29:58 -0500

We are pleased to announce the 6th annual competition for a Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) through the Asian Studies Department to study Mandarin in Taiwan this summer for eight weeks. The scholarship will allow you to study in Taiwan at very little to no cost (largely depending on how economical you are in selecting your housing). The Asian Studies Program (together with the Dean's office) are also pleased to offer a $1,000 subsidy towards round-trip airfare to Taiwan.

Terms of eligibility on the application: only U.S. citizens, above the age of 18, with a high school diploma and with excellent academic performance, may apply. There are still other terms of eligibility, so please read the terms listed on the "Terms of Agreement" form carefully.

Application Process for Selection of Candidates for the Taiwan Ministry of Education Huayu Enrichment Scholarships (HES), Summer 2017, UMBC Asian Studies Program
The Asian Studies Program has been asked by Taiwan's MOE to nominate two students for Huayu Enrichment Scholarships (HES). Each scholarship is a cash award (a fixed monthly stipend of NT$25,000, about $862) for eight weeks’ study of Mandarin in Taiwan at a government approved language center. Accordingly, we are announcing an internal scholarship competition for those two slots. There is a two-step process for the selection of the two nominees; only two internal applicants will be selected to be finalists and complete the Ministry of Education (MOE) Huayu Enrichment Scholarship application. (An alternate candidate will also be selected in case one of the first two drop out or fails to complete the requisite paperwork on time.) Priority will be given to students who are Asian Studies majors and minors, in that order, followed by those with other majors. (Disclaimer: MOE has, without fail, awarded the scholarships to our nominees over the past five years, but there is of course no guarantee that they will necessarily do so in every case.)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 9 a.m.: Internal application due in Asian Studies office (Fine Arts 548, South Wing). This internal application should consist of the following items, stapled together in the top left corner:
1) A cover sheet with: a) your name, b) your email address and a telephone number where you can be reached, c) your major(s) and current GPA, d) your current level of Chinese language study (e.g. currently enrolled in CHIN 201) or Chinese language ability,
2) A copy of your unofficial transcript
3) An essay: In a brief essay of 500-700 words (typed, double-spaced, in New Times Roman 12-point font), please respond to the following questions: Why do you want to study Chinese in Taiwan? What particular academic coursework or personal experiences have prepared you to spend time studying Chinese abroad? And finally, how would studying in Taiwan help further your academic and/or professional goals?
4) One letter of reference (e-mail is acceptable) from your current Chinese instructor or other appropriate instructor addressed to the director (Vaporis).

FRIDAY, MARCH 3: Notification of Finalists by telephone and email. Finalists will then be required to complete the HES application and to secure two formal letters of recommendations in signed, sealed envelopes. Successful candidates should be in touch immediately with Dr. Souders, Assoc. Director of the International Education Services Office, to discuss completing all the paperwork required for study abroad.

FRIDAY, March 10. All students must submit their UMBC on-line study abroad application http://goabroad.umbc.edu/ by March 10th. More information is available on the UMBC Study Abroad website.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 9 a.m.: Huayu HES applications from nominated students are due in the Asian Studies office. Please leave a phone number where you can be reached during the day in case you need to revise your application.

This is a remarkable opportunity that can rapidly accelerate your study of Mandarin. Previous students who have studied to Taiwan on this program have, without fail, enjoyed it immensely.

Click the documents below for more information.

Good Luck!!