Applications are being accepted from Iowa State students interested in participating in the summer 2016 global leadership study abroad program to Sweden. The 2016 trip will be the second time this program has been offered by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.
Students selected to participate in the 2016 global leadership study abroad program will earn six hours of leadership course credit while visiting Stockholm, Sweden, and the surrounding area from May 10 through June 10, 2016. To help defray their costs to participate in the program, students with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for a Stanley Global Leaders scholarship offered by the Catt Center through a gift from Mary Jo and Richard Stanley of Muscatine, Iowa.
Students can learn more about the 2016 global leadership study abroad program to Sweden by attending an information session from 5-6 p.m. on Dec. 3 in 302 Catt Hall.
Students can apply for the study abroad program here. Applications for the program are due Feb. 1, 2016. No more than 20 students will be selected to participate in the program on the basis of a short (2-3 page) essay on leadership, academic transcript and resume. To be eligible, students must have at least sophomore status at the beginning of summer 2016 with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be at least 18 years of age upon departure. The anticipated cost for the program is approximately $7,750 per student for in-state tuition and $11,064 for non-resident tuition.
All students selected will receive a $625 tuition waiver from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Selected applicants with financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid may be eligible for additional support through the Stanley Global Leaders scholarship program, with awards given on the basis of need, academic performance and a demonstrated interest in leadership.
The courses offered as part of the program – CL PS/W S 333, “Women and Leadership,” and LAS 490G, “Independent Study” – will be taught by leadership studies lecturers Cameron Beatty and Amber Manning-Ouellette on the campuses of Stockholm University and Södertörn University in Stockholm.
Iowa State students met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the political consultant to the minister.
“Stockholm, Sweden, was selected for our first study abroad trip in 2015 because of the high percentages of women in public and private leadership positions in the country as well as its progressive public policies,” said Dianne Bystrom, Catt Center director. “Because of the positive feedback from both the faculty and the students who participated in that first trip, the program will be returning to Stockholm in 2016.”
“The 2015 Sweden study abroad trip was a great success,” said Kelly Winfrey, one of the leadership studies lecturers for the 2015 trip. “Our students were able to apply what they learned in the classroom about women in leadership to the real world. They met with business, government and non-profit leaders who gave them unique insights and a deeper understanding of cultural differences and similarities when it comes to gender. They also had a great time learning through their experiences in Sweden,” which included visits to museum and other destinations pertinent to study abroad.
“Studying abroad was a life changing experience,” said Emily Ramm, a sophomore from Onawa, Iowa, who participated in the 2015 trip. “I grew out of my comfort zone, learned a lot about myself, and made some great friendships. I was so nervous to be in a whole other part of the world, but when you’re in a new place that’s really how you can discover yourself and your dreams.”
In addition to participating in course instruction, students will learn about the history, culture and public policies of Sweden by meeting with government officials, including members of the Swedish Parliament and Stockholm Municipal Assembly; executives at private companies with gender, leadership and diversity initiatives, such as the director of diversity at Skanska, a global construction company, and the CEO and founder of Wiminvest, a consulting firm that helps large corporations get more women into management positions; and staff of nonprofit organizations focusing on women’s and diversity issues.
“I am so excited to continue to build on the global leadership study abroad to Sweden program,” said Beatty, who also participated in the 2015 trip. “The students really enjoyed the experience last summer and I believe they learned to really think about leadership from a global perspective. They critically thought about how our cultural values contribute to how we understand leadership. Students participating in the 2016 program will continue to explore gender equity and global leadership in Sweden.”
The Stanleys, whose generous support helps make this opportunity available to students with financial need through the scholarships they have funded, also provide primary support for the Archives of Women’s Political Communication, the Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics, the Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics, and Ready to Run® Iowa: Campaign Training for Women.