1. Student Eligibility

• must be 18 years old by the time the trip departs
• have at least 12 hours of college-level credit with a minimum 2.0 GPA
• plan to enroll in WSCC classes during the 2013-2014 school year
• must be in good standing with the college in regard to academics, finances, and conduct All fees, citations, tuition and any required repayments of financial aid must be taken care of before entering the contest
• may be part-time, full-time or even audit as long as the International Fee has been paid

2. Cover page

• full name
• mailing address
• WSCC Student ID W#
• STAR_NET e-mail address
• 2 phone numbers where the student may be reached
• specify a country or area of the world

3. Writing the essay

Anonymous essays are to be no more than 1000 words, typed and double-spaced. Explain the value of an international trip, include individual and academic goals, and show ways in which traveling abroad would enhance and enrich these goals. Discuss ways in which previous WSCC classes have contributed to the students' personal growth is also appropriate. In addition to these criteria, essays will be judged on overall impression, sincerity, and persuasiveness. Students should include their college and community activities and service, but avoid including any personal information that would identify them.

4. Submission information

The final deadline for essay submission is on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 4:00 pm. Submit the cover sheet and essay in a sealed envelope through campus mail to Eileen Bowers, International Education Specialist, on the Morristown Campus, Mail Box 153 or by email to Eileen.Bowers@ws.edu – phone number is 423-318-2347. Students on the Morristown campus should drop it off in the campus post office, CCEN125. Students on other campuses may submit essays through the campus administrative office. All essays must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 25th.

5. Pick your trip!

Successful applicants will choose from one of the WSCC sponsored international travel trips approved for spring or summer, 2014. These trips will be determined by October 1, 2013. Other TnCIS trips are also eligible at this website: www.tncis.org The TnCIS trips for 2014 will be announced by October 1, 2013. Contact Eileen Bowers (423-318-2347) or Eileen.Bowers@ws.edu in Student Affairs with questions or concerns.

Members of the International Fee Oversight Committee will judge essays anonymously to determine finalists. Student members of the committee who wish to enter the contest will be excused from judging and replaced by a student appointed by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Trip coordinators will also be excused from judging.

The top twenty applicants will be interviewed by judges before final decisions are reached. Interviews will take place in May 2013, the week following Commencement. Successful applicants will be contacted by mail during summer semester 2013.

Amount of funds awarded may not cover all trip expenses. Scholarship recipients are responsible for additional expenses not covered by the scholarship amount. Passport, insurance and incidentals are solely the responsibility of the student.

A videotaped exit interview is required of all students that accept the scholarship funds. Contact Public Information to schedule this interview before leaving on the trip. Also, applicants accepting scholarship funds will be required to document at least one talk/presentation before a Walters State group before or after the trip – specific details will be scheduled on an individual basis, but this could include talking to a Walters State class telling of your expectations and/or of your adventures traveling abroad.