FSCA Bursaries
As an FSCA member, if your child is registered for post-secondary education is studying at the undergraduate level at a college or university in Canada, they are able, to apply for a bursary from the FSCA. This year we are offering two bursaries of $350 each. The FSCA bursaries are open to children of FSCA members (must be members in good standing for at least one year in the last 4 years) who have successfully completed at least one year of university or community college and are entering their next full-time undergraduate year in Canada. It is important to note that recipients of these bursaries are small financial gifts meant to support our young people in their studies, in light of all the adjustments they have had to make through their many school changes. Recipients are chosen based on the quality of an essay they are asked to write and submit by August 9th, 2008.
Good luck to all applicants!
BURSARY ESSAY CONTEST
Thank you for your interest in the Foreign Service Community Association (FSCA) bursary.
The essay contest will also provide the opportunity for you to express your views on how life in the foreign service has influenced your education and to have these views published in the FSCA’s quarterly magazine, the Bulletin.
A copy of the contest rules is attached. We look forward to receiving your essay.
Edith Dandenault President
FSCA BURSARY
ESSAY CONTEST RULES
Essay Topic:
You may choose your own essay topic, however, the FSCA will be looking for essays which are interesting and give us a glimpse of what life as part of a rotational family can be like. Below are some possible avenues for exploration:
World Citizenship -- In what ways did your experiences abroad shape how you see yourself as a world citizen? How did it inform your world view? What values did you gain from living and studying abroad? What lessons will you carry forward? How has living and studying abroad influenced the way you view yourself as a Canadian in the world? What lessons did you learn about what it means to be Canadian?
Shaping Your Identity – How has your study/experiences abroad influenced the way you view yourself as a Canadian in the world? What lessons did you learn about what it means to be Canadian? Have you met a memorable person in your travels who has influenced your educational choices?
Fish Out of Water – Culture shock when travelling abroad is inescapable. Describe your experiences in adjusting to life in a host country; in particular any break-through, or defining moment when you became comfortable in your host culture.
There's No Place Like Home – When we live abroad we are prepared for culture shock but are often quite surprised when it happens in reverse. Share your reflections on the cultural aspects of life in Ottawa that were the hardest to adjust to on return from post.
Finding My Way – When living and studying abroad it is often a struggle to find the balance of adapting to a new culture without forgetting influences that have shaped your life. Describe how adapted to life abroad.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION:
Applicant's parent must be a member in good standing of the FSCA or must have been a member for a full year in the last 4 years. The applicant must also show proof of admission to a post-secondary institution for the 2008-2009 calendar year.
Format:
The essay must be:
submitted electronically
typed in Microsoft Word
accompanied by a cover sheet with the following information:
Essay Title
Name Author's biography (150 words detailing where you were born, where you live, how old you are, where you work or study, what your hobbies are, what career you hope to have).
Mailing Address
Telephone Number
Name of College or University you attend (or will attend)
Work contact information for employee parent
Submit your Essay by Email:
Send your essay and cover sheet to the FSCA at fsca.acse@international.gc.ca .
Deadline:
Your essay entry must be received on, or before, August 9th, 2008 and must comply with the formatting requirements set out above.
PRESENTATION OF BURSARIES:
Recipients will be announced in the Fall 2008. The winning essays will be published in the foreign service community magazine, the Bulletin and made available on the FSCA web site.
QUESTIONS?
For more information about the essay contest, please contact our Office Co-ordinator, Jassodra Rampersad, at 613-944-5729 or visit our web site at: www.fsca-acse.org
JUDGING
Entries will be judged by a three-person panel comprising members of the Executive of the Foreign Service Community Association. Entries will be judged based on:
creativity, writing style, organization and presentation, grammar and spelling.
Your essay should be:
between 500 and 1,000 words in length
written in English or French
well written in terms of structure, grammar and spelling
rooted in personal experience
suitable for publication in the Association’s magazine, the Bulletin
(Note: A normal, typed, double-spaced essay without footnotes is said to yield approximately 250 words per page)