Application Form

International studies students interested in applying for a winter travel grant must complete the travel grant application and return to 251 Patterson Office Tower. Grant applications are due each October. As indicated on the grant application linked above, a completed application consists of: 

• Proposed travel itinerary
• Estimated budget
• 500-word personal narrative
• Copy of your transcript + courses you have enrolled in for the spring semester
• Two letters of recommendation from UK faculty members
• If not participating in Independent Study 395 during your trip, proof of purchase of Education Abroad Insurance

Budget Example and Tips

An applicant’s estimated budget must include expenses such as airfare, cost of rail, cost of ground transportation within cities, food, and lodging. If you will be staying with a family member or friend while abroad, and thus saving on lodging expenses, indicate these circumstances in the budget. Please note, the grant amount awarded might not cover the full expenses of your trip. 

Itinerary Example and Tips

An applicant’s proposed travel itinerary should be detailed, broken down by date, day, plan, and route. Google Maps is a great tool to use in determining your routes to and from museums, lodging, and cities. If you plan to walk or use a bikeshare service, indicate this in both your budget and itinerary. Identifying whether your chosen cities offer discounted public transportation passes for students, specified lengths of time, etc. is an easy way to save money.

Questions? 

On our “Previous Recipients” page, you may find answers to your questions through reading about past recipients’ experiences or through our “Travel Grant Recipient Q&A’s.”

Each fall, the Director of International Studies, Dr. Emily Bacchus, will host a series of information sessions with students in which she will cover the application process and any questions you may have. For the dates/times of these info sessions, please contact Julia Nilsson at jmni226@uky.edu.

Contact Megan Koshurba, International Student and Programs Coordinator, at megan.koshurba@uky.edu.

International studies major Jordan McCay was one of three students to receive the College of Arts & Sciences International Studies Winter Travel Grant in 2018. Using this grant, Jordan was able to travel to both London and Berlin for two weeks throughout the course of her winter break. Having previously spent a semester abroad in Japan, her travels this past winter allowed her to reconnect with international friends while exploring the cities’ historical and cultural sites.

Jordan began her winter travels in Berlin. Throughout the city she visited multiple museums and memorials hoping to learn more about her mother’’s German heritage. Of the sites she visited, Jordan recalled how her experience at the Jewish Museum of Berlin was the most notable. She was intrigued by the powerful nature of the exhibits as well as how German-Jewish history was relayed through the purposeful architectural design of the building. The museum's three axes symbolizing the paths of Jewish life in Germany - continuity in German history, emigration from Germany, and the Holocaust - were especially captivating.

While in London, Jordan visited sites that not only allowed her to explore her interest in British history but also sustainability. She took guided tours of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Oxford University in addition to visiting the Imperial War Museum. When choosing between Paris and London, it was ultimately London’s sustainability initiatives that made up her mind. While studying abroad in Japan, Jordan had extensively studied such initiatives in various global cities. Through an “eco-London” tour, she was able to observe first-hand how the design principles she had studied were incorporated into London’s architecture. As Jordan’s time in the UK came to a close, she and her friends made their way to the River Thames, watching fireworks as they welcomed the new year.

Which cities did choose to visit, why?

I chose London and Paris because I have always wanted to visit the Tower of London and the Louvre.

What were your favorite museums and sites, why?

My favorite sites in Paris were the Sacre-Coeur and the Louvre. Sacre-Coeur is a beautiful Catholic basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary. It sits on top of a large hill, and you can see all of Paris from the top. It is truly magical. Seeing the Louvre Museum was also very inspiring to me. Not only was I able to see some of my favorite pieces of art, such as Lady Liberty Leading the People and the Venus of Milo, but I was also able to experience the site of one of Beyonces music videos which created a commentary on race and what is considered "fine art". My favorite site in London was Westminster Abbey because I was able to see the tombs of many different Brits, including Queen Elizabeth I. 

What challenges did you encounter during your trip?

In London, my phone didn't work for the first few days so I couldn't use Google Maps. I solved this problem by continually asking people which subway I needed to take and by asking for directions. I encountered several obstacles in Paris. On my first day, I was swindled out of $80. Due to transportation strikes, all of the subways were closed, so I had to travel by Ubers, which was very expensive. Language was also a difficulty. I speak no French, and most people spoke little to no English or Spanish so I struggled to communicate. Mostly I would point to things, use, gestures, or use Google Translate . 

How do you see your experience abroad as impacting your studies and career goals?

I intend to be an elementary English as a Second Language teacher. This trip was impactful to me because it is necessary that I exercise my cultural competency and cultural humility in order to relate to the children and help them succeed. This trip allowed me an opportunity to experience different cultures and to put myself in my future students' shoes - to be in a place where everything is different, even the language. I had to figure out how to function in a new society, just like families who are new to the United States must do. 

What advice would you give to students who are applying for this grant?

Budget more money than you think you will need, because you will probably end up needing it. 

Make sure your phone is "unlocked" before you buy a SIM card. 

Realize that in some cultures, it is not the norm to be "friendly" with strangers or customers, so people are not necessarily being rude, it is just not expected to be cheerful or helpful. 

Most importantly, pack comfortable shoes. I packed two pairs of shoes, some comfy tennis shoes and some less comfy heeled boots. On the days I wore the heeled boots, my feet would be killing me by the afternoon and I had to walk all the way to my hostel from the subway station. Pack sensible but chic shoes. Your feet will thank you!

Which cities did you choose to visit and why?

I always wanted to go to Paris so that location was my first choice. I also choose to go to Berlin, Germany because I felt that it had a lot of history there that I could experience and learn about. 

What were your favorite museums and sites, why?

My favorite museum in Paris was the Louvre! I didn’t know how big it was until I went inside. It was such an enriching experience. It was nice to see the roman sculptures, but the most shocking thing was the Mona Lisa. I thought this painting was going to be 10x larger than it was. From this museum, I felt like I was able to experience different aspects of European history and not just French history. 

My favorite museum in Berlin was the Reichstag Holocaust Memorial - also considered the Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe. Inside, they had a room full of stories of survivors and non-survivors. There was this one room that gave the history of different families from each of the countries affected. I was able to read and hear about the families that endured this horrible time in history and I felt I got to learn more about the Holocaust than I did in school. 

Did you run into any barriers during your trip? 

In Paris, the bus drivers were on strike and when buses come around, they were overly crowded. Most of the metro buses were shut down too. This made it difficult to get from one location to another, especially areas that were farther out. Another issue in Paris was that most museums closed and opened at the same time. I knew this before going, but I didn't think the lines were going to be so long even with a museum pass. To make sure I got to every required museum, I made sure to go to the museums right when they open and go to the ones that were close to each other first. I had to leave early so that I could catch the bus and if it was crowded, I had time to wait for the next bus or so. Unlike Paris, I didn't run into any barriers in Berlin. 

How do you see your experience abroad as impacting your studies and/or career goals?

I think this experience showed me where I am in my French studies. I was super nervous before going to Paris because I thought I had to rely mostly on google translate and that my French wouldn't be good enough. I was surprised to find out how far my French could get me. This experience also helped me improve my French which is something I hope to be fluent in one day. 

What advice would you give to students applying for and/or receiving the grant come next winter break?

My advice would be to do it! It's so fun and enriching. You never know what you could learn about yourself from this.