National Security Education Program-David Boren Undergraduate Scholarships: NSEP was designed to provide U.S. undergraduates with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in undertaking serious study in foreign countries, as a complement to academic and career goals. This should be reflected in the Statement of Purpose. Preference will be given to applicants pursuing fields of study related to national security interests. Appropriate and integrated study of a foreign language is required for all study abroad proposals. Preference will be given to applications for study in languages critical to national security. Length of study: awards are for a minimum of one academic term, including a summer term of six (6) weeks or longer. Preference will be given to applicants pursuing study abroad for a full academic year.  During 2003-04, CSULB student Colin Rasmussen spent an academic year in India studying Hindi and working with a local NGO.  During 2006-07, CSULB student, David Koroki spent an academic year in Japan studying Japanese language and culture. All recipients of NSEP awards incur a requirement to enter into an agreement, in order of priority, to work for an agency of the federal government with national security responsibilities or to work in the field of higher education in the area of study for which the scholarship was awarded. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to a career in federal service.   The campus deadline is: February 5, 2008.  Campus Advisor: Linda Olson-Levy, Center for International Education, BH-201, email: llevy@csulb.edu.  NSEP website: www.iie.org/nsep or call: 1 (800) 618-6737.

SPECIAL NOTICE:  David Koroki, NSEP recipient, will speak at a special workshop to be scheduled in December. 

U.S. National Security Focus: NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security applied by the President in his annual National Security Strategy, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.

International Focus: NSEP scholarships are intended to provide support to U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security.

Language Study: NSEP emphasizes the importance of language study as a major component of your study abroad program. Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country must be an integral part of each proposal. In addition, you must meet any language requirements of the study abroad experience you propose.

All study abroad programs do not offer the same opportunities to learn a language. The language component must incorporate opportunities to learn a language in a context that is meaningful to your language proficiency and language learning goals. You should take into account any prior knowledge and experience in the proposed language when selecting and designing your study abroad program. If you already have studied the language you should consider what opportunities the program will provide for you to advance your proficiency. If you have not studied the language, you should consider what the program offers you in opportunities to make substantial progress.

Among the issues you should consider in selecting your program are:

· Does the program offer language courses that emphasize rigorous study and practical use of the contemporary language leading to increased proficiency in reading, speaking, and listening?
· How many classroom contact hours are offered in the language study? Will this be sufficient to increase your language proficiency?
· Are there opportunities to study the language in small groups tailored to your proficiency level?
· Who are the faculty who teach language? Are they native speakers with extensive experience in teaching foreign students?
· Is there a full-time U.S. resident director at the institution who will help oversee your academic and cultural programs and monitor your language learning?
· Are there serious opportunities for living in university housing or home-stays where the foreign language will be spoken on a regular basis? How are home-stay families selected?

Since NSEP encourages students to study in countries whose languages are less commonly taught at U.S. institutions, it is anticipated that many students will not be familiar with the language of their chosen country. Prior study of another language will serve as an indication of interest and aptitude.

Note: Study of a common language (Spanish or French) is permissible only when it is at an advanced level of competency. In such cases, the study abroad experience should not focus on language acquisition, but rather on academic course work. Special Exception: NSEP will consider applications from students at the intermediate level of Spanish or French if their field of study is in applied sciences or engineering. At the time of application, determination of intermediate/advanced language level will be self-assessed. IIE/NSEP will verify the self-assessed competency level of grant recipients through a commonly used testing instrument.

The NSEP Service Requirement: The NSEP service requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community. If, after making a full and good faith effort (according to conditions and rules established by NSEP), an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, he or she may work in any U.S. federal department or agency. There is also an expectation that NSEP Scholars will use the language or regional expertise acquired as a result of the award in their work for the U.S. government.

All applications must be submitted online.  Campus Advisor:  Linda Olson-Levy, Center for International Education, BH-201, email: llevy@csulb.edu.