Alice Rowan Swanson in Nicaragua
The Alice Rowan Swanson Fellowship returns SIT Study Abroad alumni to the country where they studied to conduct short term human rights projects. The fellowship is a living tribute to Alice Rowan Swanson, an SIT Study Abroad alumna who had a passion for human rights. Proposals are reviewed twice annually, and the next deadline for applications is March 1st.
Click here to read the official announcement, review the complete set of guidelines and download an application.
Since 2009, World Learning has awarded six fellowships. Most recently, Stephanie Mckee received a fellowship to pursue an arts rehabilitation project in South Africa’s prison system. Mckee will begin her project later this year.
SIT Study Abroad Bolivia alumna Laura Sprinkle recently returned from her fellowship with the Kids’ Books Bolivia project in Cochabamba. The reciprocity project, initially started by SIT Bolivia academic director Heidi Baer-Postigo, seeks to build a library of bilingual and trilingual books on Bolivian culture written by SIT students. Sprinkle was working with libraries and primary schools to design educational programs that utilize the books.
Laura Sprinkle in Bolivia
“These books serve as a concrete connection between all that Bolivia has given us, knowledge and love and appreciation for culture, as well as a heartfelt thank you and a useful, long lasting tool for education and cross-cultural understanding,” said Sprinkle.
Earlier in 2011, Sonya Shadravan traveled to Dakar, Senegal to work with artists, musicians, poets and activists to create neighborhood youth empowerment groups. Watch a video by Shadravan about the project.
The first three recipients of the award, Michelle Eilers, Dara Carroll, and Salome Vanwoerden, pursued health projects in Chile, Uganda and Nepal respectively.
