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 On average,
each scholarship has a value close to $15,000 and
includes transportation, accommodation, food and
compensation for personal expenses for one year.
- U.S. Embassy courtesy photo - |
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 - Published: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Five
students receive a scholarship in the U.S.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staffFive high school students have been selected to spend a school year in the United States. They are winners in a competition for scholarships that have the objective of preparing young people academically in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as meeting the labor demands that the country requires. The CRUSA-AFS scholarship program will allocate $65,000 to scholarship to the five students of the National System of Scientific Colleges who can fulfill their dreams of living and studying for a year in the U.S. These scholarships are the result of the alliance between Costa Rican USA Foundation for Cooperation, known as CRUSA, and AFS Costa Rica, with the support of the U.S. Embassy. The student winners of the scholarships are Daylana Wilshire-Morales from Limón, Ramsés Jiménez-Ramírez from Guanacaste, Keylor Josué Rivera-Gamboa from Cartago, Kaleb Granados-Acuña from Limón and Dana Belén Gutiérrez-Quirós from San Carlos. According to CRUSA, the chosen students went through an arduous selection process and the fulfillment of a series of requirements, such as: having academic excellence and mastery of the English language, qualities such as leadership, assertiveness and an interest in intercultural issues. “With the purpose of strengthening Costa Rican human talent in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the CRUSA Foundation finances 100% of these scholarships supporting the country in the generation of joint initiatives that meet the needs of human talent training high quality,” said Flora Montealegre of CRUSA. On average, each scholarship has a value close to $15,000 and includes transportation, accommodation, food and compensation for personal expenses for one year. AFS Intercultural Programs is an organization that is dedicated to providing intercultural learning opportunities for the construction of a more just and peaceful world. According to AFS, students will come into contact with a new language, a new family and a new culture. The U.S. Embassy started this program with the high schools in 2012, and 49 students who have participated in these exchange programs and the National Youth Science Camp. "The main goal of the diplomatic headquarters is to support students who have demonstrated their academic excellence and leadership skills to help them continue their studies in STEAM careers, regardless of their financial resources," said the embassy in its statement. Students will travel to the U.S. after completing the first semester of the eleventh year at their school in Costa Rica and will be placed by AFS in an American community with a host family and in a school, which they will attend classes during an academic year. Before, during and after their exchange program, they will participate in a non-formal intercultural education process, organized by AFS. Upon their return to Costa Rica, they will resume their studies in the senior year and their graduation. The winners of the scholarships will be in the U.S. from September until July 2021. According to the embassy, the goal of the scholarships is to support students of limited economic resources who have academic excellence, leadership skills, desire to continue studies in science and technology and to promote mutual understanding between Costa Rica and the U.S. In December 2016, AFS Costa Rica and the CRUSA Foundation signed an agreement to give continuity to this initiative and grant scholarships to five students every year, so they can live this experience and learn more about American culture, its people and traditions. AFS is responsible for the selection of scholars, preparation of the program and providing support to students during their stay in the United States and until they return to Costa Rica.  Related to more opportunities for Costa Rican students to study abroad, on Feb. 5, the U.S. and Australia opened scholarship programs here. In the case of the U.S., the embassy here is inviting students for applying for the Fulbright Program postgraduate scholarships before April 30. The Fulbright Program is a leader in international educational exchanges. The mission of the program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational exchange. The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the then-Arkansas senator, J. William Fulbright. Since its inception more than 50 years ago 255,000 "Fulbrighters," 96,400 from the United States and 158,600 from other countries, have participated in the program. The Fulbright Program awards approximately 4,500 new grants annually. According to the embassy, each applicant must complete the original application in the English language. Applicants must be Costa Ricans or legal permanent residents. Costa Ricans born in the U.S., U.S. citizens, green card holders or children of U.S. parents are not eligible to apply for the Fulbright Program. Applicants must have the equivalent of a university’s bachelor's degree that makes him or her eligible to pursue graduate studies in a U.S. university. Candidates must have full command of the English language. Candidates who have studied in the U.S. during the last four years will not be considered. Fields of study considered: the STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, math), English teaching and related fields, public administration, and education, among others. Complete academic records are required that reflected all the courses taken and from all universities or colleges attended. Those who are selected as Fulbright scholars must commit to return to and live in Costa Rica for at least two years after completion of their program. Online Application can be found on the Institute of International Education website. For more information on the open session for the Fulbright Program, interested persons may contact the Embassy at (506) 2519-2000. The Australian government is inviting 200 Costa Rican young people to study and work in that country. According to the government, applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, to apply for the Work and Holiday Visa Program. The requirements are fluent English skills and three years of professional or university studies. The visa authorizes a stay of 12 months, four of which can be dedicated to studying only. According to the Australian government, the decision to include Costa Rica in this study program was accepted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison with the recommendation of Peter Dutton, minister for Home Affairs. The government is in the process of developing a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, where the start date of applications to study and work in Australia will be established. According to the Australian government, five Latin American countries have been included in this program. Others are Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Perú and Uruguay. Brazil and México are also in the negotiation stage, said the Australian consulate. More information about the Working Holiday Visa program can be found at the Australian Visa Bureau site. A.M. Costa Rica will be published the date of applications as it sets by the Australian embassy. --------------- Do you know a student who would like to apply for a full scholarship aboard? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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