University of Exeter Summer Institute

Overview

The Fulbright Commission-University of Exeter Summer Institute is a four-week cultural and academic programme for US students held in London and at the University of Exeter in the UK.

The theme of the institute is Leadership, Sustainability and the South West.

Participants in this summer school will:

• Experience a rigorous academic programme at a top ten ranked UK University, in a city set in the beautiful South West of England 

• Become an ambassador for studying in the United Kingdom, and for the prestigious internationally renowned University of Exeter.

• Develop their knowledge in the academic programme of their choice on the University's prestigious International Summer School, be taught by world leaders in their field and receive credit they can transfer to their US University.

• explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK on visits to Bath, St. Ives, and Stonehendge.

• make friends and experience life as a real student in the UK.

• Stay in London for three nights and visit the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace.

The Institute will run from 13 July-10 August 2013.

The four-week Institute includes a seven day ‘Fulbright Week’.  It will be followed by three weeks where Fulbright Summer Institutes students will integrate with the others on the University of Exeter’s International Summer School.  Fulbright Summer Institute students will join one of eight credit-rated pathways.

In 2012 Exeter’s International Summer School was attended by 108 from 18 different countries.  These included the USA, India, China, Germany and Ghana.  The resulting diversity gave students and faculty an array of perspectives on opportunities and challenges which face humanity in the 21st Century.  Many of the students commented on how much they enjoyed getting to know people from such a wide range of countries and how much they learned from each other.  The 2013 International Summer School will welcome approximately 150 student, including four Fulbright students.

For more information on the Institute see the Programme Outline under the Additional Information tab.

Benefits

The majority of the participant costs will be covered. This includes:

•    round-trip airfare from the US to the UK

•    tuition and fees at the University of Exeter

• Accommodation

• Social Programme, including three days in London and visits to Stonehenge, Bath, and Shakespeare’s Globe

•    subsistence e.g. food and drink

Participants are expected to pay for their own health and accident insurance.

Students will stay in en-suite accommodationon the University’s Streatham Campus.  Breakfast and evening meals will be served at Holland Hall and the cost of these are included in the programme fee. Students will be paid a per diem of £20 per day. 

Accommodation is situated near the lecture rooms, campus shops and cafés.  It is also close enough to Exeter city centre to give students ready access to facilities and attractions.  

Selection Criteria

To meet the minimum eligibility for this Institute you need to: 

• be a US citizen (resident anywhere except the UK) and possess a US passport;
• be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme; 
• be able to participate in the programme in its entirety;
• have a high level of academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (confirmed by academic marks, awards and references);
• have at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, i.e. applicants should currently be a Freshman or Sophomore in college/university;
• be mature, responsible, independent, and open-minded;
• be willing and able to fully participate in an academically intensive programme that includes attending all sessions, completing all assignments, contributing to classroom discussions and supporting student ambassador style work as required;
• have had little or no study or travel experience in the UK or elsewhere outside of the US and;
• expect to return to the US and continue your education.
• be adaptable to new situations and willing to live with students from a variety of countries and cultures.

Note: The programme is open to students in all courses of study
 
Those holding permanent residency ‘green cards’ may not apply.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this award before making an application.

In making these awards the Commission is looking not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, an indication of ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to your home country upon returning.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applying

All applications are due March 11, 2013 by 5pm (UK Time)

To apply please download an application form

If you have a query about applying please read the FAQs document before contacting the Commission. Follow us on twitter to receive application tips throughout the application period.

Please note: Applications must arrive at the Commission by email to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline. 

References should be sent to the Commission by email  to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk and should come directly from the referee. Students should not submit references on their referees' behalf. References must be received at the Commission by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline or the application will not be considered even if the application itself has been received on time.

Please note that this email address is for applications and references only. Any general enquiries about the programme should be sent to programmes@fulbright.org.uk

Applications and references sent in by post, fax or to any email address other than UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Commission staff will not confirm receipt of individual applications or references by email or phone.

Interviews

Applications will be short-listed and successful applicants will be invited to telephone interview sometime between the dates of 15 April – 26 April 2013. Interviews will only be held these days and may not be rescheduled.If you are making an application, please save these dates as an invitation to interview may come within a few days of the interview date.The selection committee will be comprised of Fulbright Commission staff and on occasion representatives from a relevant field, academics, US Embassy and/or Consulate representatives.

Important note: The US-UK Fulbright Commission is unable to give feedback on individual applications or to provide reasons for their refusal.

Timeline

December     Competition opens
11 March       Application deadline
Early April       Short-listed candidates invited to Interview
15-26 April    Telephone Interviews
Early May      Notification for successful applicants
May/June       Preparation and Pre-Departure Information
12 July         Departure for UK
13 July         Arrival in the UK
10 August     Return to USA

Additional Information

Programme Outline (please note that this is subject to change)

Academic Programme

The first week will consist of a Fulbright Week where students will explore issues of sustainability, the environment and leadership in the stunning south west of England.

The following three weeks students will join a larger cohort on the University of Exeter's Interntational Summer School.  They will choose from one of eight credit-rated pathways:

The Psychology of Crime

International Relations: Security, Conflict and Peace

Physical Activity and the Environment: 21st Century Medicine

Global and Imperial History

Global Climate Change: Environment, Technology and Society 

International Management

Law

Shakespeare and His World

Pathways are based around a combination of lectures, seminars, visits and workshops.  Group sizes (between 15 and 25) mean that there is plenty of opportunity for students to engage with each other and with members of faculty.  Lectures and seminars are delivered by some of the University of Exeter's most acclaimed faculty. 

View a sample timetable for the Institute

Cultural Activities

The second week of the Fulbright Summer Institute will be split between London and Exeter.  Students will stay in London for three nights on an orientation programme, where they will integrate with others on the International Summer School.  This is a chance for students to get to know each other and see the capital, with visits to Westminster, the Tower of London and the Globe Theatre organised centrally.  International Office staff and the student buddies will lead the London programme.  Students arrive in Exeter half way through week two, so as to commence the academic programme.

The social and cultural programme starts with a three day visit to London, which includes a guided tour and a variety of visits to tourist attractions.  This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get to know each other before the academic timetable begins.

Once in Exeter there are a number of social events interspersed throughout the students’ stay, including a Cathedral cream tea, and a pub quiz.  To mark their arrival on the University campus a barbecue - attended by International Office staff, buddies and faculty teaching on the pathways - serves to welcome participants.  At the end of the programme, a graduation gala dinner and party enables the students to celebrate and reflect on their time in the United Kingdom. 

During their stay there are trips to iconic British attractions such as Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral and historic towns and cities such as St Ives and Bath.  Students will take home with them a sense of the wider world and this increased cultural awareness will benefit their local communities and their future careers.

Support

The University of Exeter will provide pastoral support to the students.  Three International Office staff will attend events and day trips throughout the students’ stay.  Staff will be on-site at the University campus throughout and will be contactable either at the office or on the telephone 24 hours a day, so as to deal with any queries or problems whether pastoral or academic. 

University of Exeter student mentors (or ‘buddies’) will support Fulbright Summer Institute students during their stay.  The buddies are current Exeter students who will stay in the same accommodation and will attend events; some of the buddies will also attend the academic programme.