FIExplore Influencer (Blogging, Vlogging) Scholarship
Open to: Spring and Fall Semester, Winter and Spring Quarter Programs
Location: London, Dublin, Barcelona and Madrid
Award: $3000 (half at the start of your programme and half after submitting all your required content)
Document your immersive study abroad experience while gaining resumé-enhancing skills. FIE believes the best way to gain a global perspective is to experience different cultures first-hand, and we are looking for students who want to make a positive impact by sharing their international experience with others.
FIExplore Influencers can be writers, photographers, videographers, or anyone with a creative flair for communication and desire to share their authentic experience. We are especially interested in showcasing the talents of identity groups who are underrepresented in study abroad, as we know seeing real examples of students like them helps encourage greater representation and access.
Application requirements:
1. Submit a cover letter which responds to the following prompts:
- Why are you interested in being an FIExplore Influencer?
- Share examples of your current campus involvement which demonstrates your ability to take initiative and follow through on a task while balancing your academic and extracurricular responsibilities.
- Optional: If your identity overlaps with any groups which are underrepresented in study abroad, please share details of how you might use this platform to encourage others from underrepresented groups to participate in study abroad. Identity examples include (but are not limited to): race, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, linguistic background, gender, gender identity, age, religion, sexual orientation, veterans and ability/disability.
- Financial need: Describe how FIE’s funding will help you reach your study abroad goals.
2. A recommendation letter from a professor or academic advisor (this can be the same one used for the FIE program application).
3. Your portfolio: links to as many of the following as you have:
- Your Instagram account
- Your TikTok account
- Your personal blog (e.g. a blogging site) or vlog (e.g. YouTube)
- A photography example (e.g. Instagram post, Google photos account, personal website)
4. Describe the category of content you are interested in creating. For example: blog writing, vlog or TikTok video, Instagram post, Instagram story takeover…
5. Create a content sample for one of the following prompts. Use the same category of content you are applying to produce (for example, if you would like to write blogs then write a blog, if you would like to create videos then create a video).
- Why a junior in high school should choose to apply to your college. Include highlights of your college experience to support your recommendation.
- Tips for how to be a Global Citizen or engage with different cultures even if you’re at home and can’t travel.
Submit the link to your content sample.
During the programme:
By accepting the scholarship, you are committing to produce content for at least five points in your study abroad experience. These might include:
- Arrivals/first impressions/why I decided to study abroad
- Academic co-curriculars/field trips
- Extra-curriculars/engaging with the local community
- A 'Day in the Life' of a student studying abroad
- My internship/service internship
- My top tips for moving to (your location)
- Final thoughts and reflection/What I learned/Why you should do an FIE programme
You will be connected with a member of FIE’s marketing team who will work with you to define the deadlines and brainstorm topics and formats for your content. These could include posting to FIE’s Instagram account, an Instagram story takeover, writing on FIE’s blog or filming a video or testimonial.
You will have the support of FIE throughout your term, but ultimately your initiative and commitment will guide your successful completion of your scholarship. Recipients who do not submit all their content in a timely manner, or whose content is not of a minimum quality, will not receive the disbursement of the second half of their scholarship.
A typical scholarship semester programme
You will also join other scholarship recipients for a programme of supplementary benefits, which may include:
- Welcome lunch: Scholarship recipients and their mentors will gather for a social event to get to know each other and build community.
- Mentor meetings: You will meet with your scholarship mentor at regular intervals to set your personal and professional goals, receive guidance and advice on how to achieve them, and stay accountable to yourself as you make the most of your study abroad semester.
- Student Leadership Forum: Engage with FIE staff and other students to share your voice and help shape FIE’s programme.
- Student Global Leadership Conference (spring semester London students only): Attend the weekend conference to engage with local and international student leaders who are making a difference.
- Cake & coffee: Meet with your mentor to review and reflect on your time abroad.
- Podcast: Take part in an FIE podcast with other scholarship students to give an insight into your time abroad and discuss topics and questions you faced before/during/after your study abroad experience.
