Applications available for new study-abroad scholarship, fellowship program

Students interested in studying abroad can apply for the new Christian Lieding Scholarship and Fellowship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which will fund travel and study abroad for both UNL students going abroad and international students coming to study at Nebraska.

University officials said they hope the Lieding Program, which gives preference to students going to or coming from Germany and German-speaking countries, will further promote academic exchanges between these nations. Undergraduate and graduate students planning to study abroad in any country are eligible to apply.

The program can be applied to a wide range of options for study abroad, including programs lasting less than a semester as well as year-long programs. Depending on a student's length of study, he or she can apply for $500 to $5,000 to pay for tuition, fees, travel and living expenses. The scholarship program is unique because students seeking advanced degrees are often not eligible for support for study abroad.

The scholarship was made possible by more than $4 million directed to UNL by the estate of Harold Lieding, a UNL graduate and a person who passionately believed in the value of study abroad. The endowment, which was first announced in 2004, will fund the program in memory of Harold's late son, Christian.

Students can find the scholarship application, along with more information about the project on the International Affairs Web site at www.unl.edu/iaffairs/study_abroad/scholarships.shtml.

Ultimately, officials said the goal is for current and potential UNL students to benefit from studying and seeing life in another country. Russell Ganim, chair of Modern Languages and Literatures, Harriet Turner, director of International Affairs, and Frauke Hachtmann, assistant professor of advertising, who are also members of the selection committee, emphasized the importance of academic exchange and study abroad in today's global environment. Selection committee chair is Patrice Berger, director of the University Honors Program.

"We are encouraged by the generosity of the Lieding family, which has provided this new opportunity for students around the world to engage in study abroad under the auspices of UNL and its international partners," said Juan N. Franco, UNL vice chancellor for student affairs, and a member of the scholarship and fellowship selection committee.

For more information about the program, contact the UNL Office of International Affairs at (402) 472-5358 or visit www.unl.edu/iaffairs.

Contact: Harriet S. Turner, Director, International Affairs, (402) 472-5358