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The Fischlowitz Travel Fellowship is designed to enhance the experience of Grinnell College's international students by providing the opportunity to learn more about the United States through independent travel. Travel fellowships of up to $5000 will be available each year. The fellowship is made possible through the generous support of Teresa and Merle Fischlowitz.
Merle Fischlowitz '53 recalls that during his years at Grinnell, his association and friendship with many international students were among the most rewarding aspects of his education. He has always been aware that international students are an important part of the Grinnell community.
Mr. Fischlowitz believes that an important part of education for international students is their opportunity to see the United States and to learn more about our culture than can be accomplished in few years of living and studying at Grinnell College. The Fischlowitz Travel Fellowship provides international students with the opportunities for both purposeful and casual exploration of the United States.
The applicant must be a degree seeking student of first, second, or third year standing at Grinnell College from a country outside of North America and not from any possession or territory of the United States. The successful candidate will demonstrate maturity, openness and planning in their applications, interviews, and recommendations.
The Fellow must return to Grinnell for at least one academic year immediately following the summer travel.
The Fellow will be morally obligated to return to his or her home country following the conclusion of their bachelor's degree, professional and/or graduate preparation. Students planning to reside in the U.S. after completion of their undergraduate or graduate degree, on an H-1b visa or other program that allows intent to immigrate, are not eligible to apply.
Travel funded by this Fellowship may be used only in the contiguous forty-eight states. Funds may be used only during the period of the award for transportation, lodging, food, and events or activities consistent with the spirit of the Fellowship. Up to thirty percent of the award may be retained to offset unrealized summer earnings to be applied to fees or tuition at Grinnell College during the following academic year.
Travel funded by the Fellowship must include some time spent in a large metropolitan area, and must be in at least two regions (New England, Middle Atlantic, Southeastern, Pacific Northwest, Upper Mississippi, South Central, Plains States, Mountain West and California) of the United States. Travel funded by the grant shall last at least 21 days and no more than 10 weeks between the final day of classes in the spring semester 2009 and first day of classes in the fall semester 2009.
Each Travel Fellow shall keep a travel journal of his/her experiences that will be submitted to the Fellowship Committee at the end of the summer. The journal may be supplemented by other reporting forms. For example, Fellows may submit an art project, a musical composition, or a performance. Fellows are encouraged to find ways to document and share this experience with the Grinnell College community. The journal shall be kept in Office of Service and Social Commitment and on the Fischlowitz Travel Fellowship web page for perusal by others. Existence of travel journals shall be publicized to all international students each year, regardless of whether they intend to apply for the Travel Fellowships.
A selected Travel Fellow will present an on-campus colloquium in the fall semester following the travel experience.
If a Travel Fellowship recipient is unable to return to his/her home country for any reason, the recipient will be morally obligated to repay the money received back to the Travel Fellowship Fund.
The following application materials must be submitted to the Fellowship Committee:
- Application cover sheet, including a signed "Statement of Intent to Return to Home Country"
- 2-4 page essay describing motivation, learning goals, and preparation
- Budget proposal (3 pages maximum)
- Proposed itinerary (10 pages maximum)
- Faculty recommendation
- Photocopies of the applicant's passport and visa. These are to be held for safekeeping in case you lose your passport and visa while traveling on the Fischlowitz Fellowship.
- A list of the places in the US that the applicant has already traveled to, and the length and purpose of this travel.
- A completed and signed Permission Form and Waiver (click to download)
Applications may be downloaded here.
An interview will be required of all finalists for the fellowship.
Applications will be due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2009in the Office of Service and Social Commitment, 1233 Park St.
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