Adventuring Communication Scholar Study Abroad Scholarship

Adventuring Communication Scholar Study Abroad Scholarship

Overview

Have you ever wanted to travel and see the world? What if you could earn college credit while seeing places you have only read about in books? Does the opportunity to immerse yourself in other cultures along with your classmates intrigue you, but the question of “how would I ever pay for it?” stop you every time? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, read on for a unique opportunity presented by the Department of Communication for communication majors/minors to receive a scholarship to defray the cost of studying abroad for two weeks in Poland! Note: The Poland Intercultural Communication Program and the scholarship application are two separate application processes. The scholarship can only be used for this program and is contingent upon students being accepted into the program.

The Adventuring Communication Scholar Study Abroad Scholarship was created by the Department of Communication to provide funding for the two-week study abroad program in Poland. Funds will assist undergraduate or graduate students with a documented intent to pursue a major or minor in Communication. This award seeks to support students who study abroad because that experience develops a person’s understanding of our place in a global society, and the donors believe that this experience is integral to a person’s education.

Selection Criteria

• Be able to travel on the Intercultural Communication in Poland study abroad course tentatively scheduled for May 17 - May 31, 2026.
• Have completed 30 undergraduate college credits (Preference given for those credits completed at IU Indianapolis)
• Have documented intent to pursue a major or minor in Department of Communication (applied film, television, and theatre; application communication; communication studies; health communication; journalism; public relations) as an undergraduate or be a graduate student in the department.
• Be enrolled at IU Indianapolis (Graduate non-degree seeking students awaiting admission to IU Indianapolis Communication Graduate Programs are also eligible.)
• If undergraduate, have completed Comm-R110 Public Speaking course (Preference given for those that took course at IU Indianapolis)
• Have financial need documented with a FAFSA as determined by financial aid standards at IU Indianapolis
• Demonstrate scholastic achievement with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Have the ability to enroll in the 3-credit hour Intercultural Communication course (Comm-C482 or C582 during Summer Session I)

Selection will be made by Communication Studies Faculty and members of the Study Abroad office based on applicant's academic record, quality of application video, and how well application prompts were addressed. Preference will be given to students who have not received the scholarship in the past.

How to Apply

Record a 2 to 4-minute video and upload to IUIN-Adventuring Communication Scholar Poland Program Scholarship (Liberal Arts) - Indiana University Scholarships using Kaltura by February 1, 2026. Direct any questions to Mike Polites.

In the video, using your best public speaking skills (i.e., stand up, make eye contact, use vocal variety and/or gestures when appropriate), please address the following prompts:

1. Introduce yourself (name, major, year in school, etc.) along with something interesting, unique, or fun about yourself! (ex: you have 8 siblings, you have been skydiving, you are a student athlete, you enjoy hiking and camping, etc.)
2. Have you ever traveled outside of the United States? If so, where?
3. If you traveled abroad, what did you learn from the experience and why would this experience be different and/or enhance earning your degree or future career path?
4. Why are you applying for the scholarship?
5. If not awarded, would you still have interest in going to Poland?
6. What would excite you most about this program? What do you think would challenge you the most?
7. What could you add to the dynamic of the group of travelers? (ex: if you have been part of other groups before at school, teams, youth groups, etc., what qualities do YOU bring to a group dynamic?)
8. Is there anything else you would like the committee to know about you?

Notifications

All students will be notified of acceptance by February 8, 2026. A written commitment to going on the trip needs to be made by February 15, 2026, so that appropriate travel reservations and plans can be made.

You are encouraged to apply for additional scholarships via One.IU scholarship system at iu.academicworks.com, the study abroad office on campus, through the School of Liberal Arts, and/or in your community.