Iowa Sister States
Yamanashi Prefecture Research Scholarship
2014-2015 Application
About the Scholarship
The Yamanashi Prefecture Research Scholarship is a unique scholarship opportunity, establishedalmost 20 years ago between Iowa Sister States and Yamanashi Prefectural University. Iowa Sister States is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its mission is to connect Iowans with the world community by providing international programs that promote the mutual interests of citizens in Iowa and in our Sister States. Currently, Iowa has nine Sister States around the world, including Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. This relationship was established in 1960.
Each year, Iowa Sister States selects one current college student or recent graduate from the state of Iowa (up to age 40) to attend classes and complete a research project of his or her choice at Yamanashi Prefectural University, a public university located in Kofu.Applicants for this scholarship must speak Japanese and be able to be a positive ambassador for Iowa.
The scholarship itself covers tuition, entrance fees, and accommodation in Yamanashi – as well as other welfare expenses, such as insurance. Yamanashi Prefectural University will arrange for an academic advisor to assist in class registration upon arrival in Kofu. The university will also arrange student housing in the International Center, and a bicycle for the student’s use. A common kitchen is available in student housing, and the selected individual will be required to pay for his or her own meals and other living expenses. Iowa Sister States provides the selected individual with a $1,000 grant to off-set these costs, to be paid in two installments of $500. The first payment is made in September; the second in December pending good student standing.
Iowa Sister States will provide administrative assistance as the selected applicant completes the necessary steps to travel to and live in Japan. There is a second application that will need to be filled out for university study; additionally, there are certain visa documents that will need to be collected from the Yamanashi Prefectural Government.By the time all necessary paperwork is completed, the Iowa scholar will arrive in Yamanashi in September. The Japanese academic year ends in February, at which time the research project will be due. The scholar usually returns in March.
This application must be received on or before Friday,June 6, 2014.Please send all application materials to:
Iowa Sister States
ATTN: Hannah Borge, International Program Manager
200 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Applications may also be submitted electronically to .
Application
Personal InformationPlease complete the information below. We also ask that you attach a current photo, or send an electronic version to .
Name:
Gender: / ____ M / ____ F / Date of Birth:
Current Address:
City: / State: / Zip:
Permanent Address:
(if different)
City: / State: / Zip:
Primary Phone: / Other Phone:
Email:
Applicant Background
What are your qualifications for this scholarship?
Education:
High School:
Graduated: / Yes / No
If yes, please list degree and year:
College/University
Graduated: / Yes / No
If yes, please list degree and year:
College/University
Graduated: / Yes / No
If yes, please list degree and year:
Other
Please provide an official academic transcript from the last educational institution attended.
Briefly describe how your education qualifies you for this scholarship (include any awards/honors received during your education)
Language and Culture:
Briefly describe any previous visits to Japan, including the dates and purpose for each trip:
Provide an assessment of your Japanese language skills, detailing the extent of speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing ability:
Other:
Use this space to describe any other applicable information:(This may include other travel or language experience, prior or current involvement with Iowa Sister States, work experience, etc.)
Research Proposal
Describeyour intended research proposal:
(The topic must be compatible with the available resources at Yamanashi Prefectural University, which consists of the following departments: Japanese Language and Literature, Early Childhood Education, Human Life Studies, International Studies, and Liberal Arts.)
Personal Expenses
This scholarship covers expenses for tuition, entrance fees, and accommodation. The successful candidate will be responsible for the airfare, living expenses, and any extracurricular activities.
Briefly describe how you would finance these personal costs (i.e. savings, loans, work*, etc.):
*Disclaimer: While many past students from Iowa have obtained part-time jobs in Yamanashi, there is no guarantee that suitable jobs will be available for future students. If you need to find a job in Yamanashi to pay for your personal expenses, it will be your responsibility to do so upon arrival.
____ Please initial here to verify that you have read the above disclaimer.
Following the conclusion of the program…If you receive this scholarship, will you return to Iowa immediately following the conclusion of the program? If not, what are your plans?
Following your return to Iowa…
If you receive this scholarship, how will you utilize the results of your study and experience living in Yamanashi to promote mutual understanding between people, and to promote the Iowa-Yamanashi Sister State relationship?
References
Please provide the contact information for three references in the space below. We will accept professional, academic, and personal references. (Please do not include direct relatives.)
We only require one letter of support from one of the following individuals. We prefer this letter to come from a professional or academic reference rather than a personal reference. Please ensure that this letter of support is sent directly to Hannah Borge (see address above). Electronic versions will be accepted only if they come directly from the person of reference.
Reference #1:
Name:
Title/Organization:
Primary Phone:
Email:
Relation to applicant:
Reference #2:
Name:
Title/Organization:
Primary Phone:
Email:
Relation to applicant:
Reference #3:
Name:
Title/Organization:
Primary Phone:
Email:
Relation to applicant:
Please initial to verify that you have read and understood the following statements:
____ If I am awarded this scholarship, I understand that I will need to behave in a way that is
consistent with Japanese customs, laws, and cultural values.
____ If I am awarded this scholarship, I understand that I will need to will behave in a way that reflects positively on Iowa Sister States and the State of Iowa.
____ I hereby confirm that the information I have provided in this application is accurate, and
that I have answered the above questions truthfully.
Signature: ______Date: ______
1