Contest

The Student Diplomat Video Contest, jointly sponsored by NAFSA and Abroad View Magazine (and previously blogged at FM here), has asked American students to create original videos demonstrating advanced global understanding based on their study abroad experiences. While the contest yielded dozens of submissions, NAFSA and Abroad View have pared the list to five finalists.

In order to select a winner, organizers of the contest are asking the public to cast their votes – no later than January 15 – for their favorite video by visiting the Official Contest Page. The contest asked students to consider how their study abroad experience has shaped them as global citizens, served as a bridge to cross-cultural understanding, promoted peace, or positively impacted the local community in which they studied.

The winner, selected by public voting and an expert panel of judges, will be announced on Monday, January 18, and will receive a $300 cash prize and the title of "2009 Student Diplomat."

Pay a visit to the contest page today and vote for your favorite video!

Have you studied abroad and want to tell people about it? NAFSA (the Association of International Educators; formerly the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers) is asking those students who have studied outside of the United States, or who are currently studying abroad, to submit videos of themselves discussing their experiences.

Videos should focus on how their experience has helped to advance global understanding. Participants are encouraged to consider how their study abroad experience has shaped them as a global citizen, served as a bridge to cross-cultural understanding, promoted peace, or positively impacted the local community in which they studied.

NAFSA asks that videos should be no longer than three minutes. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. on November 6, 2009. The videos should be recorded, uploaded to YouTube, and then uploaded to the contest's group page at YouTube.

Here is a video promoting the contest:

The winner will receive $300 cash and the title "2009 Student Diplomat." Good luck!

Chilling in a coffee shop today waiting for my panel at Berkeley to begin and having serious problems with my computer (the mouse button is stuck, making typing quite difficult). CIRCLE plans on releasing their updated 2008 youth turnout numbers tomorrow. Hopefully I will have my computer issue resolved by then. In the meantime, students should check out this writing contest sponsored by The Nation.

The Nation has launched its yearly student writing contest. This year they are asking students to write about how they have been affected by the recession. Winners will receive a $1000 prize.

We're looking for original, thoughtful, provocative student voices to answer this question: How has the recession affected you, your family or someone you know? Essays should not exceed 800 words and should be original, unpublished work that demonstrates fresh, clear thinking and superior quality of expression and craftsmanship. We'll select five finalists and two winners--one from college, one from high school. Each winner will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a Nation subscription. The winning essays will be published and/or excerpted in the magazine and featured on our website. The five finalists will be awarded $200 each and subscriptions, and their entries will be published online. Entries (only one per student) will be accepted through May 31, 2009. A winner will be announced by September 15. Please send entries to studentprize [at] thenation [dot] com.