The primary goal of the Freeman-ASIA Program is to increase the number of American undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia by providing students with the information and financial assistance they will need to make Asia their study abroad destination. The Freeman Awards for Study In Asia are generously supported by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Institute of International Education.

The Award

Freeman-ASIA award amounts vary from $3,000 for a summer program to $5,000 for a semester/quarter program to $7,000 for an academic year program. Applications must be submitted and reviewed by the campus advisor (at Stanford, the Overseas Resource Center). The proposed length of study in the host country must be a minimum of 8 weeks for a summer term, 10 weeks for a quarter term and 12 weeks for a semester term.

Awards are available only to students who plan to study abroad in the following countries/regions: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. Priority will be given to students with no previous experience in the country in which they plan to study.

From 2001 to 2009, Freeman-ASIA provided scholarships for more than 4,000 U.S. undergraduate students to study in East and Southeast Asia. Freeman-ASIA award recipients are required to share their experiences with their home campus or communities to encourage study abroad by others and fulfill the program's goal of increasing understanding of Asia in the United States.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.
Applicants must be currently enrolled as continuing undergraduates in U.S. colleges or universities, be in good academic standing and currently receive financial aid or have verifiable need for financial assistance to study abroad in Asia.
Must apply through the U.S. home campus and have at least one term of enrollment remaining at home institution in the U.S. upon returning from study abroad.
Must have little or no previous experience in country in which he or she plans to study. (see website for details)
Must submit Freeman-ASIA Student Impact Survey and must initiate his/her Service Project to promote study abroad opportunities in Asia on the college campus and/or local community.
Applicants must have their financial aid advisers verify the financial need for their study abroad programs and sign their Financial Need Validation Forms.

The Application

For the Stanford campus deadline, Freeman-ASIA applicants must submit to the ORC:

Application (printed from online application)
Statement of Purpose
Service Proposal
Official transcript
2 Letters of Recommendation (including one letter from academic advisor)

Please contact the ORC to meet with an advisor.

* Spring 2012 and Early Academic Year 2012 - For students applying to study abroad programs of 10 weeks or more with a program start date between December - April.

Other related awards: See also Freeman-Indonesia Nonprofit Internship Program

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