David L. Boren Awards for International Study

The Statement of Purpose, Parts I & II, is the most important part of the application and gives you an opportunity to present a rationale for studying abroad and to describe your proposed program. Statements of Purpose should be no more than 6,000 characters each, not including spaces. Statements of Purpose should be single-spaced, except when spaces separate paragraphs.  In preparing the statement, you should consider the following guidelines:

Part I: Rationale

Please discuss:

1. Explain the significance of your proposed study abroad experience (including the region you selected, its culture, and the language you will study) to U.S. national security, broadly defined.
2. Describe how the country, language, and study abroad program you selected will help you achieve your academic and career goals, including your plans to fulfill the service requirement.

Part II: Study Abroad Program Description (both the preferred program and alternate, if applicable)

Please describe:

1. Describe the study abroad program’s course of study and related cultural activities, as well as the administrative and support services provided (i.e., facilities, housing, resident director, etc.). 
2. Describe the language component in as much detail as possible, including the number of classroom contact hours and informal language study opportunities outside of the classroom.
3. Describe your past experience in studying or speaking the language (or another language if relevant), as well as your plans for continuing to study and/or speak the language following your Boren Scholarship.