Iranian Nationality Room

And Intercultural Exchange Program

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Scholarship

Introduction: The Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh have awarded scholarships for summer study abroad annually since 1948. The purpose of the awards is to enable University of Pittsburgh students to have an in-depth immersion in another culture for at least five weeks over summer. Like the Nationality Room itself, these scholarships are entirely community-supported.

The Iranian Nationality Room Committee is planning to participate in this tradition, beginning with one scholarship for a Pitt graduate student to go to Iran with an independent research project for a period over summer 2011. 

Applicants: All interested Pitt graduate students who are US citizens or permanent residents are eligible.  Applications must include a project/research proposal outlining what the applicant plans to do while in Iran, to be approved by the University and Committee.  

How you can support: You can support the program either by donating to the scholarship, or by facilitating the procedure through your connections with volunteer institutions or organizations in Iran.

Applicants

Saturday, 06 November 2010 01:49 Amirreza Masoumzadeh
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Interested Pitt graduate students can propose a project in any related field from language, music, archeology, humanities, engineering, medicine, etc. – basically anything non-political (subject to committee approval). It will be the applicants, with the consultancy of their advisors, who propose the project plans (including, goals, content, budget, etc.), according to the predefined application procedure. 

What is expected from applicant:

Be willing to attend some of the Iranian community events after he/she returns and to share his/her experiences with the community.  

What we will provide for the scholarship awardee:

We are in contact with the proper authorities to accelerate the Iranian visa process, and will assist the student with the visa application.  The student will be assisted during her/his stay in Iran.  We are pleased to be in touch with many Iranian families interested in hosting the student.  This will provide the opportunity to experience Iranian culture and life in a way not possible otherwise.  We will also work with the student to establish the connections (with universities, institutes or individuals) and/or travel opportunities necessary for the proposed project.  

Important Dates:

  • Information sessions begin:  November 29, 2010
    • Last session: January 14, 2011
  • Application submission deadline: Noon, January 20, 2011

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Be a current full-time graduate student on a University of Pittsburgh campus, returning to the campus in the Fall Semester for two consecutive semesters immediately after the study experience
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.0
  • Propose a career-related, credit-worthy study or research program of at least five weeks
  • Knowledge of the Farsi (Persian) language preferred, but not required
For further information contact:
Eileen Kiley
1209 Cathedral of Learning
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it



Last Updated on Sunday, 28 November 2010 00:49
 

Reasons to Support the Scholarship

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 15:30 Akram Kamrani
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If you're unsure about donating toward the scholarship effort, please consider the words of a friend (who is an Iranian currently attending graduate school at Carnegie Mellon University) urging others to donate:

"... We or someone dear that we know, all have been funded by an American university at some point, being given this opportunity to study here and get closer to our dream careers. And this trip has opened our mind so much. Just think about how much can a person traveling to Iran can learn ... Each of us have affected the views of our family and friends and relatives about many things because of our trip. Imagine how many people will learn more about people of Iran if an American could also travel there. This is a way to give back as a small scholarship a little of what we or our friends have been given. There are people who do wish to travel to Iran and study about it. Let's give them this opportunity just as we had the opportunity to study in our dream field!

"Here's a more detailed email about the scholarship program. The donation info is also included. If you support this idea, please please please donate something. Also please share this to your parents, families, friends, ... too. Don't think of this as a small task. This task here, another one somewhere else, this year, next year, ... these are the steps that make a difference in the world, and now WE are in the position to make it happen only if we all help!"

In short, there are many reasons that awarding this scholarship would be beneficial.  It would demonstrate to the University that the Iranian community in Pittsburgh is capable of working together and raising money for a cause, which in turn would brighten the prospects of the room itself (not to mention other projects the community might want to get involved in). It would give a Pitt graduate student the opportunity to travel to Iran and, beside working on their own project, learn a lot about the country and the culture; this is the beginning of intercultural exchange and understanding. It would give individuals within Iran a point of contact in the United States, which in turn contributes to a more open Iranian society.

If you are interested, please refer to the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/persian.room) for an active discussion on this topic.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 October 2010 15:59