The Application Process
1. What's the application timeline?
The application is open from September 25th - October 9th at midnight. Applicants selected for interviews will be notified by October 15th and all final selections will be made before Fall Break.
2. Are seniors eligible to apply?
Yes, definitely! Even if you are graduating this May, we would love for you to be involved in SFE. Since the Serbia class credit is applied to the spring semester, your graduation and diploma will not be delayed by your participation in this program.
3. Do I have to be majoring in International Studies?
Definitely not! When selecting a cohort, we are seeking a diverse group of students from varying grade-levels, majors, and backgrounds.
4. Do I need to have international experience to be a competitive applicant?
Again, definitely not! In fact, one of the goals of the program is to facilitate study abroad for those who couldn't otherwise afford it or for those who haven't been out of the country. Our executive staff will answer any questions from students who haven't traveled abroad before and help them apply for a passport. On the flip side, though, having international experience won't hurt your application either.
5. Can I participate in the Serbia Fellowship Experience if I am studying abroad this year?
Students studying abroad in the Fall are encouraged to apply and can complete an interview over Skype. However, students studying abroad in the Spring are ineligible because developing relationships between members of the cohort before traveling to Serbia is integral to the program. Those studying abroad this Spring, though, are encouraged to apply next year.
6. How competitive is the application?
Our acceptance rate varies from year-to-year depending on the number of applicants and the number of delegates we are able to accomodate. The best way to increase your odds is to thoroughly answer all application questions and to reflect on how your interests at UA intersect with events in Serbia.
The application is open from September 25th - October 9th at midnight. Applicants selected for interviews will be notified by October 15th and all final selections will be made before Fall Break.
2. Are seniors eligible to apply?
Yes, definitely! Even if you are graduating this May, we would love for you to be involved in SFE. Since the Serbia class credit is applied to the spring semester, your graduation and diploma will not be delayed by your participation in this program.
3. Do I have to be majoring in International Studies?
Definitely not! When selecting a cohort, we are seeking a diverse group of students from varying grade-levels, majors, and backgrounds.
4. Do I need to have international experience to be a competitive applicant?
Again, definitely not! In fact, one of the goals of the program is to facilitate study abroad for those who couldn't otherwise afford it or for those who haven't been out of the country. Our executive staff will answer any questions from students who haven't traveled abroad before and help them apply for a passport. On the flip side, though, having international experience won't hurt your application either.
5. Can I participate in the Serbia Fellowship Experience if I am studying abroad this year?
Students studying abroad in the Fall are encouraged to apply and can complete an interview over Skype. However, students studying abroad in the Spring are ineligible because developing relationships between members of the cohort before traveling to Serbia is integral to the program. Those studying abroad this Spring, though, are encouraged to apply next year.
6. How competitive is the application?
Our acceptance rate varies from year-to-year depending on the number of applicants and the number of delegates we are able to accomodate. The best way to increase your odds is to thoroughly answer all application questions and to reflect on how your interests at UA intersect with events in Serbia.
Logistics
1. What are the dates for the Serbia Fellowship Experience?
This year, we will fly to Serbia on May 11th and return May 26th. We always leave a few days after graduation and return before Memorial Day to ensure that students are still able to complete internships or other summer opportunities.
2. How much will it cost?
We work hard to keep the cost affordable and, in the past, delegates have been charged $900 which covers round-trip airfare from Atlanta to Belgrade, all accommodations, all breakfasts, and a number of delegation dinners. However this year, based on funding commitments, we may have to increase the price slightly. If cost is a prohibitive factor then please make our executive staff aware of the issue upon your acceptance and we will work with you to secure outside funding. National Merit and other study abroad scholarships can also be applied to offset the cost of the program.
3. How much should I expect to spend once in Serbia?
You will be responsible for paying for lunches, some dinners, any alcoholic beverages you wish to purchase, and souvenirs. Remember, though, that the cost of living in Serbia is much cheaper; delegates can expect to pay $6-$7 for a meal and around $1.50 for a beer.
4. What's the schedule once we're in Serbia?
The first 3 days will be spent in Belgrade then students will travel to their host cities for a week before returning to Belgrade for the remaining 3 days. Every day is different so we don't have a set daily schedule but delegates will be provided with detailed itineraries in advance of the trip.
5. Should I be worried about security while visiting Serbia?
The safety of our delegates is a top priority and we take security concerns very seriously. While terrorism can occur anywhere, including in the US, Serbia has not experienced a major terrorist attack like those in Paris or Brussels in recent history. The State Department does not have any travel warnings or advisories concerning Serbia and delegates register with the US Embassy in Serbia through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to stay astride of any possible issues.
This year, we will fly to Serbia on May 11th and return May 26th. We always leave a few days after graduation and return before Memorial Day to ensure that students are still able to complete internships or other summer opportunities.
2. How much will it cost?
We work hard to keep the cost affordable and, in the past, delegates have been charged $900 which covers round-trip airfare from Atlanta to Belgrade, all accommodations, all breakfasts, and a number of delegation dinners. However this year, based on funding commitments, we may have to increase the price slightly. If cost is a prohibitive factor then please make our executive staff aware of the issue upon your acceptance and we will work with you to secure outside funding. National Merit and other study abroad scholarships can also be applied to offset the cost of the program.
3. How much should I expect to spend once in Serbia?
You will be responsible for paying for lunches, some dinners, any alcoholic beverages you wish to purchase, and souvenirs. Remember, though, that the cost of living in Serbia is much cheaper; delegates can expect to pay $6-$7 for a meal and around $1.50 for a beer.
4. What's the schedule once we're in Serbia?
The first 3 days will be spent in Belgrade then students will travel to their host cities for a week before returning to Belgrade for the remaining 3 days. Every day is different so we don't have a set daily schedule but delegates will be provided with detailed itineraries in advance of the trip.
5. Should I be worried about security while visiting Serbia?
The safety of our delegates is a top priority and we take security concerns very seriously. While terrorism can occur anywhere, including in the US, Serbia has not experienced a major terrorist attack like those in Paris or Brussels in recent history. The State Department does not have any travel warnings or advisories concerning Serbia and delegates register with the US Embassy in Serbia through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to stay astride of any possible issues.
Academics
1. What's this about a spring class?
To prepare delegates for the experience, everyone must enroll in a 2-credit spring course taught by Dr. Meares. The class covers a wide breadth of material including the history of Serbia, Serbian culture, and intercultural communication. Coursework is primarily completed online through weekly assignments but there will be 3 in-person classes on Saturday mornings throughout the Spring. Delegates with conflicts to the class dates will be able to make-up missed work on a case-by-case basis.
2. What's the research component?
The research component of the program was introduced last year and is still undergoing some changes. More information is forthcoming as the curriculum continues to be developed.
To prepare delegates for the experience, everyone must enroll in a 2-credit spring course taught by Dr. Meares. The class covers a wide breadth of material including the history of Serbia, Serbian culture, and intercultural communication. Coursework is primarily completed online through weekly assignments but there will be 3 in-person classes on Saturday mornings throughout the Spring. Delegates with conflicts to the class dates will be able to make-up missed work on a case-by-case basis.
2. What's the research component?
The research component of the program was introduced last year and is still undergoing some changes. More information is forthcoming as the curriculum continues to be developed.