Summer Study Abroad in Laos Program, Organized by the Center for Lao Studies and Hosted

Now Accepting Applications: Selected Fellowship applicants will receive full MCCONNELL SAIL FELLOWSHIP scholarship for the SAIL program tuition and a

The McConnell Foundation stipend for travel expenses. The McConnell Foundation is sponsoring a delegation from Shasta County to participate in the Study Abroad in Laos Fellowship 2016 Summer Study Abroad in Laos program, organized by the Center for Lao Studies and hosted

by the Lao-American College in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Summer Study Abroad in Laos The McConnell Foundation has operated grant programs in Laos

A five-week cultural since 2006. Our decision to provide aid to rural and emersion program in underprivileged citizens in Laos was made in no small part due Vientiane, Lao PDR to the significant population of people from Laos who live in the June 22-August 1, 2016 North State. Qualifying Applicants must: This study abroad opportunity will allow our North State • Be of or between the ages of 16 – 22 residents a way to engage directly with our philanthropy in Laos Offered by the Center for Lao Studies • A resident of Shasta County (you or your parents must currently live in Shasta County) and to benefit from the connections made over the years

• Submit the completed application to The McConnell between The McConnell Foundation and other organizations Foundation by February 26th, 2016 working in Laos. This Fellowship is targeting heritage students - descendants of refugees from Laos - but anyone with passion and commitment to learn Lao and/or Lao ethnic group languages, and Lao history and culture, is Embark on the life changing encouraged to apply. experience of cultural Applications are available online at: emersion in Laos! www.mcconnellfoundation.org/international and at: Application Deadline: www.northstateschorarships.communityforce.com The SAIL program is offered annually by the Center for Lao th Feb. 26 , 2016 Studies, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. The McConnell Foundation is offering sponsorship for a select The SAIL Program includes: number of youth applicants from Shasta County in order to: • An option to earn 10 college credits through NIU • Increase our local community’s awareness of the diverse • History and Culture course cultures of peoples from Laos; Find details • Daily Lao language instruction • Provide a mechanism for descendants of refugees from of the SAIL • Participation in the 2016 Lao Studies Conference held Laos to learn their heritage and the stories of their elders; at Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand Program at: • And to help preserve the language and culture of the Lao • Volunteer opportunities in Laos www.laostudies.org/sail diaspora and minority ethnic groups of Laos. • Village visits and overnight stays and excursions to culturally significant sights Artwork by Nor Sanavongsay

Summer Study Abroad in Laos SAIL ACADEMIC PROGRAM LAO LANGUAGE TRAINING June 22 – August 1, 2016 Language classes are held five times a week for 3 hours by professors LAO-AMERICAN COLLEGE from the National University of Laos. SAIL students are enrolled in

Located in Vientiane, Lao-American College offers a beginning, intermediate, or advanced (heritage) class. Students may also unique instructional and service program. Intensive Connecting People and Cultures practice conversation with students at Lao American College arranged as courses combined with individual language Language Partners. tutorials, diversified field trips, access to local

University students, and experienced on-site staff, make Lao-American an incredible place to study Lao HISTORY AND CULTURE CLASS To augment your practical knowledge of the country, 4 hours a week will be and learn cross-cultural skills. http://www.lac.edu.la spent learning about Lao history and culture from academics and professionals working in Laos. Lao and international professors, scholars and leaders in their field will rotate teaching the class, with lessons conducted both in the classroom, and around Vientiane when appropriate. All courses

will be taught in English.

The McConnell Foundation Study Abroad in Laos Fellowship* TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES applications are available online at: An in-country Program Leader will familiarize you with the area upon your www.mcconnellfoundation.org/international arrival in the capital, including how to take a tuk-tuk or Jumbo, where to and at: find the best iced-coffee, navigating the Talat Xao or “Morning Market” and locating services such as ATM machines and money exchangers. www.northstatescholarships.communityforce.com *To apply for The McConnell Foundation Fellowship, which covers Excursions to many of Laos’ most important places help you gain a deeper expenses of SAIL tuition and travel for successful applicants, be understanding of Lao culture and history. Sample activities in and around sure to apply directly at the site mentioned above. If you apply Vientiane include: visit to the quirky and mystical Buddha park; tour of the for the SAIL program on the Center for Lao Studies website, you Phra That Luang Stupa and Ho Phrakeo (Emerald Buddha temple); and will not be applying for the McConnell Fellowship. participation in a customary Sukhwan or Baci ceremony. Fellowship Applications due by February 26th, 2016 COLLEGE CREDITS Longer weekend trips include an overnight village stay where For satisfactory participation in the program, participants can receive 10 semester hours of undergraduate credits at Northern Illinois University. participants will learn how to make traditional handicrafts and live in SAIL Program information available at: traditional Lao housing. A highlight is an extended weekend trip to one Students interested in earning college credits for participating in the SAIL of Laos’ Northwest or Southern provinces, such as a tour of the former www.laostudies.org/sail program must indicate so in their application to The McConnell royal capital and UNESCO World Heritage City, Luang Prabang, or to see Foundation. Students will be responsible for completing the necessary For questions about the SAIL program, contact: the mysterious Plain of Jars in Xiang Khouang province. paperwork and applications. The Center for Lao Studies can provide The Center for Lao Studies guidance in that process. Tel: (415) 874-5578 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SAIL participants can spend between four and ten hours a week volunteering Email: [email protected] Follow the link below for instructions on applying for credit through at a local institution, if they so choose. Opportunities can include English Northern Illinois University: tutoring to National Library or Lao-American College staff, or working with For questions about The McConnell Foundation Study Abroad in http://niu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs children at a Development Center. Volunteer placements will be dependent on Laos Fellowship, contact: .ViewProgram&Program_ID=27223 the needs of the organization, and on the skills and interests of the SAIL Jesica Rhone, Director of International Programs participants. Email: [email protected]