Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program

The Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) program is an undergraduate high-impact enrichment program for students from any major or discipline interested in incorporating a global dimension into their undergraduate education. The goal of the WISc program is to build global competence, citizenship, and leadership for undergraduates from a variety of disciplines and majors.

WISc is not a one-time scholarship. Rather, students admitted to the program commit to participating in a first-year seminar, four semesters of language study, and regular participation and engagement in activities and programming throughout their undergraduate careers. Students in the program receive funding to support participation in study abroad programs in addition to the benefits of mentoring, advising, and belonging to globally minded and engaged campus community.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the WIScholars website and learn more about the program before submitting the application: www.intlscholars.wisc.edu

PLEASE NOTE: WISc is an on-going global enrichment program that admitted students commit to participating in throughout their undergraduate careers. It is not a one-time scholarship.


Students may only apply for admission to the WISc Program before the start of their freshman year. Learn more: www.intlscholars.wisc.edu


Selection Criteria
  • Prospective freshman students who are curious about the world around them, who are committed to increasing the depth and breadth of their understanding, and who would like to benefit from a close-knit campus community experience.
  • Recommended Language preparation: Applicants typically possess a minimum of 3 years of language study or demonstrated proficiency in at least one language beyond English.

Additional elements considered in the selection process:

  • Demonstrated international interest: this might include participation or leadership in an internationally focused club or activity, elective coursework with an international focus, or participation in a gap year or study abroad program.
  • Background and experience: examples include diversity of work and life experiences, education, disciplinary interests, accomplishments, social and academic activities, special challenges, etc.
  • Language interest: commitment to learning one or more world languages.
  • Leadership potential: examples include participation in student government, team captain or club organizer, organizer in a service learning project, or major role in community or family.


    Award Information
    WISc participants making satisfactory progress in the program are eligible for two study abroad travel grants for participation in study abroad programs offered by a UW-Madison unit, and for which students earn UW-Madison residence credits. The first is a $2500 travel grant to participate in a short-term study abroad program. As long as all program requirements are met, students will also be offered either a $4000 travel grant for a semester-long or $6000 for year-long study abroad experience.


    Conditions of Award
    In order to be eligible for WISc study abroad travel grants students must meet the following program requirements:

    1. Regular attendance and participation in WISc events

    2. Completion of the following courses: IS212 (one-credit discussion section specifically for first-year WISc students) and ONE approved comparative global studies course

    3. Completion of four or more semesters of foreign language study</li

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program’s features and goals and visit the FAQ on our website before completing the application:
    Visit program site

Award
Varies
Organizations
Wisconsin International Scholars Program
Deadline
03/05/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. WISc is an undergraduate high-impact enrichment program for students from any major or discipline interested in incorporating a global dimension into their undergraduate education. The goal of the WISc program is to build global competence, citizenship, and leadership for undergraduates from a variety of disciplines and majors. WISc is *not* a one-time scholarship. Rather, students admitted to the program commit to participating in a first-year seminar, four semesters of language study, and regular participation and engagement in activities and programming throughout their undergraduate careers. Students in the program receive funding to support participation in study abroad programs in addition to the benefits of mentoring, advising, and belonging to globally minded and engaged campus community. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the WIScholars website and learn more about the program before submitting the application: www.intlscholars.wisc.edu. Are you willing to commit to the full components of the WISc Program throughout your undergraduate career and to completing program requirements?
  2. Please describe your formal and/or informal language experience and learning to date. What language(s) are you intending to study at UW-Madison?
  3. What courses have you taken that had a global component? What are the topics from these courses that most engaged you?
  4. Please describe up to five activities you have participated in that demonstrate your interest in global languages, cultures, or affairs.
  5. How do your different identities and life experiences contribute to your interest in the Wisconsin International Scholars program?
  6. Please describe an experience in which leadership (yours or that of someone else) made a difference.
  7. ESSAY: To complete your application, please explain why you would like to join the Wisconsin International Scholars program by choosing ONE of the following prompts. Choose ONE (max 1000 words): A. Why is integrating a global perspective throughout your undergraduate experience important to you? How does a global perspective connect with your current interests and future personal or professional (career) goals? How might participating in the WIsc Program contribute to your success in achieving these goals? B. What is a topic of global significance that is important to you and why? How might participating in the WISc Program contribute to your own exploration of that topic? C. How do you define global citizenship? What do you see as the significance of global citizenship today and in the future? How do you see the Wisconsin International Scholars Program preparing you to be a global citizen?
  8. STUDENT INVOLVEMENT & ACTIVITIES HISTORY: Add up to 5 student or community organization/club activities in which you have participated using the 'Add Another Answer' prompt at the bottom of this section. Enter in NA for not applicable to complete the required field.
    • 1. Organization/Club
    • 2. Location (City, State)
    • 3. Position/Title Held, If Any
    • 4. Description
    • 5. Start Date (Example: January 1, 2022)
    • 6. End Date (Example: January 1, 2022)
    • 7. Hours
    • 8. Hours per
    • 9. College Credit Received?
  9. SERVICE/VOLUNTEER HISTORY: Add up to 5 volunteer experiences using the 'Add Another Answer' prompt at the bottom of this section. Enter in NA for not applicable to complete the required field.
    • 1. Organization/Company
    • 2. Location (City, State)
    • 3. Position/Title
    • 4. Description
    • 5. Start Date (Example: January 1, 2022)
    • 6. End Date (Example: January 1, 2022)
    • 7. Hours
    • 8. Hours per
    • 9. College Credit Received?
  10. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Add up to 3 employment experiences using the 'Add Another Answer' prompt at the bottom of this section. Enter in NA for not applicable to complete the required field.
    • 1. Organization/Company
    • 2. Location (City, State)
    • 3. Position/Title
    • 4. Description
    • 5. Start Date (Example: January 1, 2022)
    • 6. End Date (Example: January 1, 2022)
    • 7. Hours
    • 8. Hours per
    • 9. College Credit Received?
  11. AWARDS & HONORS HISTORY: Add up to 5 awards/honors using the 'Add Another Answer' prompt at the bottom of this section. Enter in NA for not applicable to complete the required field.
    • 1. Award/Honor
    • 2. Year(s) (Example: 2019; 2020-22)
    • 3. Description
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