AFGrandRapids

2010 - 2011 Scholarship Information

For the past several years the Alliance Française de Grand Rapids has awarded a scholarship to a local college student who currently has at least sophomore status and has declared a major or minor in French. This year the award is $1,200 that will be applied to an academic program or purpose specified by the recipient.

Application forms must be postmarked by April 1, 2010 and the scholarship winner will be notified by the fourth week of April 2010.

Click here for 2010 Scholarship Announcement

Click here for 2010 Scholarship Recommendation Form

Click here for 2010 Scholarship Final Application Form

Application and recommendation forms are also available in the French Department at most local colleges. If you have any questions, contact L. Mathews at 616 550-7057.

Alliance Française de Grand Rapids Scholarship Program

2009-2010 Scholarship Winner

Emily O’Brock, a sophomore majoring in French at Calvin College, has received this year’s scholarship award in the amount of $1200.00 from the Alliance Française de Grand Rapids.

Representing a field of 12 students from Grand Rapids area colleges, Emily impressed the Scholarship Selection Committee with the depth of her language studies, which included honors level work, and her involvement in French-related extracurricular activities including participation in a weekly French conversation group, French chapel and her interest in reviving the French House at Calvin.

It was Emily’s essay, however, which made her application stand out from the other candidates’. In describing her study abroad experience this past year in Grenoble, France, Emily expressed a very nuanced understanding of how language-learning can greatly heighten the understanding of another culture and build bridges among cultures. She also outlined her goals of working as an assistante teaching in French schools in the short term, with the long term goal of earning a PhD in French and teaching at the college level.

One of her professors wrote in her support, “She is diligent, conscientious and intelligent. Her written work is unfailingly of the highest quality. Of all the Calvin students enrolled….. in Grenoble, Emily distinguished herself with some of the highest scores in the group…. Her home stay experience was quite successful. She learned early on how to be a gracious guest and how to make meaningful contributions to the lives of other.”

We offer our congratulations to Emily for her achievements to date and wish her continued success in her future endeavors. Emily will make a short presentation at the Fall Reception.