Winning Study Abroad Proposals

Writing a Successful Statement of Purpose

By Julie C. Taylor

Nearly all study abroad programs and grant funding organizations require a statement of purpose as a crucial part of the application. Writing a successful statement of purpose for study or research abroad is a skill developed through patience, practice, and careful research.

The applications I review at Ohio Univ. are written by some of our brightest students, yet few of them are ready for final submission without major work. Much of the revision is to be expected--writing statements of purpose or project proposals is unfamiliar to many students. In reading their applications, I have found a number of common issues to consider that may make writing and editing the statement of purpose an easier process.

Know the audience. The audience is perhaps the most important thing to consider: Who will review the application and make the final decision to fund the study or research abroad? Will the reviewers be experts in the applicant's field? Even the most conscientious and well-informed review panel will struggle through a proposal if it is full of jargon and written to be understood only by specialists.

To receive valuable feedback on making the proposal clear and understandable to as wide an audience as possible, I suggest that the student share a draft of their statement of purpose with a variety of people, including peers and faculty from different disciplines, before submitting it to the campus review committee.

As important as knowing who will be reviewing the application is knowing the criteria by which it will be judged. Are there specific requirements for the scholarship? What are the values of the organization or institution? The statement of purpose must express the common goals of the student and the funding agency.

Research the topic. With only one or two pages in which to propose a project or program of study--emphasizing its feasibility and the unique contributions the project will make to the field, as well as the applicant's unique qualifications to bring it to a successful conclusion--every word of the statement of purpose must be relevant. A clear and concise statement of purpose makes it apparent that a significant amount of important research has already been carried out and that the candidate is organized and informed. An unfocused essay simply announces the applicant's ignorance and lack of seriousness. The statement of purpose should describe the essential resources available in the host country--such as museums, archives, library collections, etc., as well as individuals who are available to facilitate the proposed research--and explain how the applicant will gain access to those resources.

Edward Riedinger's article in the Summer 1997 International Educator, "Three Hours to a Better Funding Proposal," is an excellent guide to resources for students to consult in preparing their statements of purpose. Riedinger identifies directories of institutions, libraries, research centers, associations and organizations, museums, and archives worldwide. The candidate can use these resources to establish in-country contacts and thereby increase the credibility of a proposed study.

Be clear and concise. The first sentences of the statement of purpose should say what the applicant is proposing to do. A common mistake is to begin a statement with background information on the topic or a summary of previous research.

Guidelines for the statement of purpose will often ask the applicant to discuss why they want to study abroad. Responses like "expanding global perspective," "increasing cross-cultural communication skills," and "participating in the world economy" have no place in study abroad grant proposals. Such vague and impersonal phrases suggest that the applicant simply wants a paid trip abroad. Clichés can be avoided if the stated objectives of the study or research abroad are specific, realistic, and relate directly to the applicant's future academic and professional goals.

Be realistic. Is it reasonable to expect that fluency in Vietnamese will be achieved after a semester or even a year in Vietnam? Can a study of family planning be conducted effectively in a 10-month period in a predominantly Muslim country? The statement of purpose must convince the reader that the goals set for a study abroad program are realistic and that the research can be completed within the time allotted. If a research project is being proposed, the methodology to be followed must be carefully explained.

Neatness counts. Given the fierce competition for funding, the appearance of the application is as important as the content. Read the application instructions carefully. Follow the instructions for formatting, and make no mistakes. A superbly written statement of purpose may wind up in the reject bin if the font is not the correct size or difficult to read or if there are typographical or spelling errors. A professional look is essential. The college or university computer service center or a commercial copy shop can to scan the application onto a disk, allowing for word-processing editing. The final application should be printed with a laser printer.

Tips for advisers:

• Consider conducting regular workshops on writing effective statements of purpose for study and research abroad scholarships. The workshops could be general or program-specific and offered in collaboration with your institution's grant office, academic advancement center, or English department.
• As you promote specific scholarships or grants, keep a record of students who stop by your office to pick up an application. A personal invitation to a workshop extended via e-mail or a phone call may be the extra push a student needs to commit to completing the application.
• Get on the agenda for meetings of academic advisers and make them aware of the scholarships for research and study abroad. Encourage them to identify and mentor their advisees who show an interest in international scholarship. Provide them with Karen W. Arenson's article in the November 12, 1997 issue of the New York Times, "Colleges Getting Serious About Prize Fellowships," which highlights Fordham Univ.'s effort at recruiting fellowship applicants.
• Finally, make sure your study abroad resource library has a complete set of reference guides on financial support for study abroad. The most important of these references include:

Financial Resources for International Study: A Guide for U.S. Students and Professionals (Institute of International Education), A Student's Guide to Scholarships, Grants, and Funding Publications in International Education and Other Disciplines (Michigan State Univ. International Studies and Programs in cooperation with the Michigan State Univ. Library), and Financial Aid for Research and Creative Activities Abroad and Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad (Reference Service Press).

JULIE TAYLOR is University Study Abroad Coordinator in the Center for International Studies at Ohio Univ. where she serves on its scholarship review committee.