SHAPE YOUR PLAN  

Organize your program of study

Boren Fellowships provide support for self-directed study.   This may be a combination of coursework at home and abroad, and independent research. 

However you organize your study, you'll need to remain enrolled in your home institution, and continue to make progress toward your degree.

Note that you should supply a letter of overseas affiliation as part of your application, and that this letter can be from an academic institution, a research institute, a non-profit organization, or any other relevant agency that can provide proof that you will be affiliated with them while overseas.

Getting Started

• Consider the significance and critical importance of your selected area or country, language, and culture to your academic field of study, your career goals, and U.S. national security.  You'll need to make these connections in your application essays.

• Contact your university's study abroad office or office of international programs. These offices will be able to provide you with information about the country or region where you plan to study. Most embassies and consulates have educational affairs officers who have information about universities in their countries.

• If you're taking part in an overseas language program, perhaps in preparation for research or advanced courses taught in that language, make sure it satisfies your educational needs. For more about judging language study see "Preferred Languages" in the navigation to your right.

Reality Check

• Because of specific requirements concerning domestic and overseas study, you need to develop a realistic timeline, and make sure your proposed dates fit the Boren Fellowship requirements.

• As you develop your plans, discuss them with your academic advisor, professors specializing in the country or region where you plan to travel, language faculty, and/or students who have completed similar programs.

• Consider your overall graduate curriculum. Discuss with your advisors any built-in constraints imposed as a result of your specific program. Keep in mind any complications such as unavailability of classes, extensions or delays in your graduation and/or lack of time to pursue supplemental coursework.