| |
Accepting the Light Fellowship |
1. What happens if I do not complete by the deadline the form announcing whether I accept or decline the Light Fellowship? |
We consider no reply the same as declining the award. |
2. I am holding off on telling you if I accept the Light Fellowship because of a potential conflict with other awards or plans. Should I contact you? |
Contact us immediately to let us know your situation. The deadline to accept the award is still in effect. |
3. Do I need to send you a copy of my program acceptance? |
YES!...but only from the program(s) you will be attending.
Actual confirmation of your program depends on your providing us with a copy of your program acceptance letter or E-mail ONLY from the program(s) you will attend. We assume that until you confirm your program(s), that you are still waiting for program results.
We cannot generate your award budgets or checks until we know for sure and have proof of which program(s) you will be attending. |
4. I found out that I am on the program's waiting list. Would the Light Fellowship office be able to help me with this in any way? |
We cannot intervene in a program's decision to admit or reject an applicant. If they have follow-up questions, or if there is some problem regarding your ability to pay, they can contact our office.
Back to top |
Light Fellowship Funding |
1. How much money am I going to get? |
There is not a flat grant amount, so as exchange rates fluctuate, program costs change, and new programs open to us, you can imagine the level of detail it takes to get this all done properly. |
2. Will I receive my award in one check or two? |
Summer-only, summer + fall, fall-only, and spring-only Fellows will receive one award check. Summer + year and year Fellows have their award split into two checks, with the second check distributed in January. |
3. What should I do when my program asks for my program deposit even though I have not received my award check? |
Pay your deposits when they are due. Your Light Fellowship award check will reimburse you for the deposit. |
4. The program wants my tuition payment, but I haven't received my check and can't front the money. What should I do?
|
If you haven't done so already, send your award e-mail that states Light Fellows win "full" funding. You do NOT need to specify an amount of the award. Furthermore, Late Fall Competition winners can notify them that you will likely be receiving an official award letter and check in April (that is, of course, if your program placement is already settled). Finally, you can reference the Light Fellowship Staff as contacts should a program have any questions. We go through this every year! |
5. What is the International Summer Award (ISA) and Student Income Contribution (SIC) Award, and am I eligible for them? |
Students who receive term-time financial aid can get a one-time grant to go on approved summer programs called an ISA. The ISA will cover a portion or all of expenses while on approved programs. The Light Fellowship is recognized by ISA but since it provides full funding, you won't need one. However, you may qualify for the SIC, which grants the amount expected in summer earnings on your term-time bill. Moreover, an ISA can be used to study at all Light-approved programs, so if you do not win a Light Fellowship but are eligible for an ISA, you can still receive some financial assistance to study abroad. |
6. Will the Light Fellowship pay for me to travel in East Asia before or after my language program? |
Outside of program dates, the Light will only fund those students who are between two language programs, and only then for daily costs (food, travel, miscellaneous). However, many students find that if they are frugal during the program, they have money left over at the end and use that for independent travel. |
7. Do I receive additional funding for airfare if I were to travel home during the winter break? |
The Light Fellowship covers only one round-trip plane ticket between the US and East Asia, regardless of the amount of time spent abroad. We highly recommend that you stay in your host country! There is much to see, and with your new language skills, you will be able to have an experience that most foreigners could not. You might also consider doing volunteer work, or making career-related and/or academic connections. Some students get a head start on their senior thesis. Others invite their families to visit instead of going home. In some cases, the gap between programs can run 5 weeks! Once you confirm your program(s) we will add funding to cover your daily expenses for the time between program terms: food, housing, transportation and miscellaneous (insurance is already factored in for the full range of dates). If you budget wisely, you should have plenty of money left over for travel or other activities. Do something memorable (but well-planned and safe)! |
8. Will the Light Fellowship support (fund) direct enrollment at a university in East Asia? How about a spring break project? |
No. The Light Fellowship only supports study at Light-approved language programs in East Asia. |
|
9. Does the Light Fellowship award apply to the Peking University - Yale University Joint Undergraduate Program? |
No. This is not a language program. However, Yale undergraduates can study at the Yale-PKU program with full financial aid transfer and earn full Yale credit.
Back to top |
Credits and Grades |
1. Can I get credit for summer course work I do on a Light Fellowship? How? |
Yes. To receive credit for summer studies you must apply to the Summer Abroad Program through MyCIE. The summer study abroad application deadline is February 1. Credit is not automatically approved, but most fellows returning from Light-approved summer programs receive two credits. Grades will not appear on the transcript.
To receive credit for fall, spring, or academic year study, you must also apply through Study Abroad at MyCIE. Term-time Study Abroad Application Deadlines: Fall/Year, March 5; Spring, October 15. |
2. What do I need to do if I want to do a Term Abroad (Sophomore Spring, Junior Term, or Junior Year)? |
Check out the Study Abroad Web site, and then schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser. |
3. Can I get credit for studying overseas twice (i.e., for a summer and then a term/year abroad)? |
Yes and no. You can bring back credit from outside Yale for both one summer (2 credits) and one Yale Term Abroad (4 credits; fall or spring), for a total of 6 outside credits. You cannot combine credit from a summer and a Year Abroad. If you get transfer credit from a Year Abroad (9 credits) you will forgo the previously earned 2 summer credits. |
4. If I get credit for my summer Light study, will I be able to get an ISA (International Summer Award) for a future summer experience? |
No. In order to use International Summer Award (ISA) funding towards a designated non-Yale program, Yale requires students to do the program for Yale credit. The total amount of outside credits you can earn during all your summers as a Yale student is two. If you transfer in two credits for your work at a summer Light-approved program, you can no longer transfer in any more outside credit for programs done during future summers or on a leave of absence. This means that you would not be able to use the ISA for a future summer study on a non-Yale program. This regulation does not affect use of an ISA for future participation in Yale Summer Session programs abroad (which are taken for Yale credit, not transfer credit) or the non-credit UCS International Bulldogs internships. |
5. Will I get a grade at the program? If so, will it appear on my transcript? |
The majority of Light-approved programs give grades, but they will not appear on your Yale transcript. If you get transfer credit from your program, the course name and number and a mark of "CR" will appear on your Yale transcript, but will not affect your GPA or graduation honors. |
6. Does it matter what grades I earn while studying on a Light Fellowship? |
Yes. Students who want to transfer credit from time abroad must earn grades of at least C. Additionally, we will be receiving an official copy of your transcript from while you are abroad, as will your Residential College Dean, and weak grades may reflect poorly on your ability to handle an intensive language program and/or to live overseas. If you decide to apply for another Light, your grades at previously attended language programs will affect your application. Moreover, future employers and graduate schools sometimes want to see these grades. |
7. How do credits I receive from my program abroad affect my GPA and chances for graduation honors? |
These credits are listed on your transcript with grades of "CR" (Credit) and are not counted toward your GPA. These credits are also not part of the calculation for graduation honors or distinction in the major. They are not considered "non-A" grades like the Cr/D/Fail option in Yale classes. The same goes for Phi Beta Kappa - you are considered based solely on grades earned at Yale, or at Yale programs like Summer Session, Yale-in-London, or the Yale-PKU program. However, some Residential College honors may factor in grades earned abroad.
Back to top |
Health Insurance and Vaccinations |
1. Could you tell me what specific vaccinations I will need for East Asia and whether all of these will be provided in April in time to take effect for a summer departure? |
All required immunizations will be provided to you by the Travel Clinic, which determines what shots you need based on the information you provide them. The Light Fellowship covers these costs if you abide by the instructions in the "Award Checklist" sent to you shortly after being notified of your award. |
2. What do I need to know about Health Insurance? |
Please see our page on Health Insurance and MedEx. |
Passport and Visa |
1. Do I need a passport? |
Yes! Take care of this immediately. If you already have a passport, make sure it will not expire before, during, or within 6 months of your return from your time abroad. You can get a passport through the United States Postal Service, (www.usps.com/passport). Also, check out the State Department's Web site (www.travel.state.gov) for helpful travel information, including info on visas and passports. |
2. Do I need a visa? |
The State Department provides country-specific Entry/Exit requirements (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html). |
3. Why does the Light Fellowship ask about my country of citizenship? |
The Light Fellowship needs this information to calculate the amount of money to include in your budget for visa fees. |
4. Have any Light Fellows used a visa service? |
We do not endorse any visa services, but several students used the China Visa Service Center (www.mychinavisa.com) and the Zierer Visa Service (www.zvs.com) and had good results. Yale does have an account with CIBT to service the visa needs of the Yale community (http://www.yale.edu/travel/passport.htm#visa). These options may be less expensive and easier than going to New York City to do an in-person application at the consulate.
Back to top |
Airfare and Travel |
1. How should I use my time between programs? I'm applying for an academic year, so if I were to travel home for winter break, would I receive additional money for airfare?
|
The Light Fellowship covers only one round-trip plane ticket between the US and East Asia, regardless of the amount of time spent abroad. We highly recommend that you stay in your host country! There is much to see, and with your new language skills, you will be able to have an experience that most foreigners could not. You might also consider doing volunteer work, or making career-related and/or academic connections. Some students get a head start on their senior thesis. Others invite their families to visit instead of going home. In some cases, the gap between programs can run 5 weeks! Once you confirm your program(s) we will add funding to cover your daily expenses for the time between program terms: food, housing, transportation and miscellaneous (insurance is already factored in for the full range of dates). If you budget wisely, you should have plenty of money left over for travel or other activities. Do something memorable (but well-planned and safe)! |
2. Do you know whom I might contact about traveling before or after my program? For example, planes, trains, hotels, distances, trip organization etc. |
Start by checking out the Light Fellowship Overview page, which links to student blogs and end of program reports, to see if anyone has written about independent traveling in the area you're interested in. The growing blog page that pulls all Light Fellows' blogs into one place is a particularly good resource. Then, get in touch with individual Light alumnae! Many of them have generously volunteered to provide advice to current fellows. Also, the Lonely Planet Guide we gave you before you left should help you get started.
Back to top |
Miscellaneous |
1. I have chosen to go to X program. Could you put me in contact with some of the other students who are going to X? |
The Student Advisory Committee has created panlists for each program. Contact SAC for more information. |
2. Should I write a thank you note to my recommender? |
Yes! (You should write a note even if you don't win.) You may also want to write a note upon your return to give an update on your plans and experiences. Consider that this person may be a useful resource for future recommendation letters. Snail mail cards and letters are nicer than emails. |
