Applications for the Summer 2009 Vira I. Heinz Scholarship Program for Women in Global Leadership Now Available Through Pitt's Study Abroad Office

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh's Study Abroad Office is now accepting applications for the Summer 2009 Vira I. Heinz Scholarship Program for Women in Global Leadership. The Vira I. Heinz Foundation has provided study abroad opportunities to young women from 15 regional higher education institutions since the 1950s. Incoming female Pitt sophomores must apply by 4 p.m. Nov. 7.

Administered through the University of Pittsburgh's Study Abroad Office since 2001, the Women in Global Leadership program aims to develop world citizens and encourages a passion for life-long learning and civic engagement. The $5,000 scholarship, which is awarded to up to three students at each of the 15 participating institutions, funds study abroad opportunities in the spirit of the program's motto: Preparing Women Leaders for Tomorrow's Global Challenges.

The program has been recently enhanced by the addition of a leadership component that includes a community engagement requirement and participation in two retreats prior to studying abroad. The community engagement portion of the program encourages students to "think globally, act locally"-giving them the opportunity to give back to the local community within a global context.

Participants are expected to develop intercultural awareness, an appreciation of culturally different perspectives, and an understanding of the impact of culture on team effectiveness. They also are expected to develop and embrace a personal ethic of social responsibility in global communities.

Applications for students at the Oakland campus are available online at www.abroad.pitt.edu/viraheinz/application.html. (Students at regional campuses must contact respective regional campus coordinator for an application.) Contact the Study Abroad Office at 412-648-7413 for more information.

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