Study Abroad

The Carpenter Student Travel Scholarship helps undergraduate and graduate students travel to expand their knowledge of the world and skills in journalism. About $3,000 is available every year from the endowed Carpenter fund, which honors Ralph and Janice Carpenter, who valued world travel and exploration.

Scholarships may be used to help students attend conferences, conduct journalism internationally, or participate in other journalism education activities. In general, scholarships will average about $500 in order to aid at least a half dozen students per year. Recipients are expected to share what they learn with other students before receiving the scholarships.

Application Process

1. Students must fill out the application form and submit it to the School of Journalism main office at least 30 days before their planned travel. Examples of funded events could include conferences for SPJ, AEJMC, Unity, ONA, etc., as well as traveling abroad for internships or Study Abroad classes in journalism.
2. A committee of three (Director, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Director of Graduate Studies) confers and decides on whether to award a scholarship. In selecting recipients, the committee will place weight on several factors:
   • Dedication to journalism and to school clubs and activities.
   • Financial need of the student.
   • The mix of other scholarships given out (one scholarship per conference or event, in order to spread it around to different venues).
   • Whether the applicant has received a travel scholarship before (applicants who haven’t received travel scholarships in the past will receive preference).
   • The role of the applicant at the event (e.g., presenting a paper, volunteering to help conference planners, etc., will receive preference).
3. Once the committee has reached a decision, the director will notify the student and instruct the student to submit a travel authorization form to the main office before traveling.
4. Following the trip, the student will provide a presentation for other students (e.g., at a club meeting), or some other activity that spreads the knowledge, preferably with handouts for tips and other information. The student also must provide a summary, minimum one page, to the director of what he or she learned and how the event expanded their knowledge. This information will be provided to the Carpenter family.
5. Once the information has been shared, and the summary provided to the director, the director will authorize the business office to transfer the scholarship funds to the student’s account.

Scholarship Form

The School of Journalism offers a $2,000 award for students pursuing a career in international journalism.

Criteria

• Must be used for a study abroad program or a journalism internship abroad.
• Preference will be given to graduate students, although undergraduate majors who have completed their junior year and will be returning to campus for at least one semester also may apply. Undergrads should check with the director before applying.

Process

• To apply, write a letter addressed to the director explaining your interest in international journalism and the ways in which this travel award would help you fulfill your goals in this field.
• Include a résumé with your letter.
• Materials should be dropped off in the journalism office, Rm. 334.
• The winner will be selected by a faculty committee and the school director.

The award is made possible by a gift to the school from an anonymous donor. Questions, contact Director Jessica Retis at jessicaretis@arizona.edu.