Promoting and advancing the field of Lao Studies.

65 Ninth Street | San Francisco, CA 94103 USA tel: +1.415.874.5578 | info@laostudies.org

web: www.laostudies.org

Dear Applicant: Sabaydii! Thank you for your interest in the Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) program. The Center for Lao Studies (CLS) is offering this unique opportunity for participants to learn Lao and to experience firsthand one of the most ethnically diverse and fascinating countries in Southeast Asia. Join us as we become immersed in Lao society through intensive Lao language lessons, hands-on cultural trainings, and volunteer work with local institutions. Enclosed you will find a full application for the program. To be considered, applicants must fill out all the required information. Applications, along with a $100 application fee must be postmarked by April 1, 2013. Please note that once you have been accepted, we ask for confirmation of your commitment within one week. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and share our knowledge of this intriguing country. Please do not hesitate to contact CLS with any questions throughout the application process. Sincerely, Vinya Sysamouth, Ph.D. CLS Executive Director

CLS Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) | June 27-July 31, 2013 Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 1

APPLICATION & PRE-DEPARTURE SCHEDULE 2013

The following is a timetable of deadlines and orientations that will take place from April to July 2013. April 1 Deadline for applications. Application materials and a $100 fee must be

postmarked by April 1, 2013. Applicants will be notified within two working days that their application has been received. If you do not hear from a CLS representative within that time frame, please contact the office. Interviews will be arranged after the application deadline.

April 8-12 Language assessment. A staff member will contact you to set-up a time for assessing your speaking and listening comprehension of the Lao language. Students will take a complete language test once they arrive in Vientiane. The phone call will last approximately 15 minutes.

April 15 Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision regarding program acceptance. Applicants who are offered to participate in the program must confirm their acceptance within one week.

April 23 First payment of $500 due.

May 15 Final payment of $1950 due.

June 3-7 Phone orientation with CLS staff member regarding pre-departure preparations (i.e. flight and visa arrangements). During this week, CLS will also send a more complete information packet with trip details.

June 11-15 Final preparation check-in with CLS staff. Two weeks prior to departure, a CLS staff member will contact you to answer any last minute questions you have.

June 25 Group orientation in San Francisco, CA.

June 26 Depart for Laos.

July 1 Group orientation and comprehensive Lao language test at the Lao-American College in Vientiane, Laos. First day of class.

CLS Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) | June 27-July 31, 2013 Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 2

CLS Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) | June 27-July 31, 2013 Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 3

CHECK LIST Please check to make sure you send the following information as part of your application package:

1) Fill out all required information in the application and answer the questions. 2) Include a current resume or CV. 3) Include your $100 application fee. If accepted into SAIL, this fee will apply toward the program

cost. 4) Transcripts of all college and/or university training to date. 5) Copies of any Lao proficiency assessments that the applicant may have completed.

Please send application materials and a $100 fee, postmarked by April 1, 2013 to:

CENTER FOR LAO STUDIES 65 Ninth Street San Francisco, CA 94103 tel: 1.415.874.5578 email: studylao@laostudies.org web: www.laostudies.org/sail blog: http://www.laostudies.org/sailers-blog-floater-143

CLS SAIL APPLICATION June 27-July 31, 2013 Application due on April 1, 2013

I. Basic Information _______________________________________________________________________________________Date of Birth: _____________________ Last Name First Name Middle Initial __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Current Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Personal Email ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Country of Citizenship Passport Number

II. Education List all college or university training undertaken to date, starting with the most current degree program. Institution Dept./Major Degree/Date Completed __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

III. Transcripts Please provide transcripts of each institution listed above. IV. Resume Please attach a current resume or CV.

CLS Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) | June 27-July 31, 2013

Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 4

CLS Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) | June 27-July 31, 2013 Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 5

V. Letters of Recommendation List two individuals in the U.S. that will provide us with letters of recommendation. One must be work-related or academic and at least one should know you personally and well. NO family members please. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Occupation Number of years known

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Relationship Telephone Email

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Occupation Number of years known

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Relationship Telephone Email

VI. Emergency Contact Please list the name of an individual we can contact in the case of an emergency.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Address

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Relationship Telephone Email

If you have family or friends who will be residing in Laos during the time that you will be there, please list their names and contact numbers in case of an emergency.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Address

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Relationship Telephone Email

VII. Written Responses Please answer the following questions honestly, and to the best of your ability. Please limit your answers to less than four pages total. 1. Why are you interested in studying in Laos? 2. What are your academic and/or career and personal goals? Indicate how participation in the

program will help to achieve those goals.

CLS Summer Study Abroad in Laos (SAIL) | June 27-July 31, 2013 Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 6

3. Have you spent an extended amount of time living in another country/culture? If so, briefly

describe the location, length of time, and purpose of the trip. 4. Participants have the option to volunteer for local organizations (e.g. National Library, primary

school, community development organization) for 4-10 hours/week. What sort of organization would you most like to work with? What special skills or interests do you have in regards to volunteer work?

5. Please describe any work experience, volunteer activities, or special talents you would like us to

know about as they may apply to this program. What sort of other hobbies and personal interests do you have?

6. What is your ability in speaking, reading, and/or writing Lao? Please list any Lao proficiency

assessments that you may have completed to this date.

None Beginner Intermediate Advanced (near fluent) Speaking Reading Writing

7. Any additional comments? Feel free to share any personal questions or hesitations you have

about participating in the program, whether they be financial, academic, ideological, questions of timing, or other.

VIII. Signature By signing below, you are acknowledging that the information you provided are true and best to your knowledge. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature Name (print) Date

Please send application materials and a $100 fee, postmarked by April 1, 2013 to: CENTER FOR LAO STUDIES 65 Ninth Street San Francisco, CA 94103 tel: 1.415.874.5578 | email: studylao@laostudies.org | web: www.laostudies.org

SAIL Scholarship 2013

We are excited to offer, for the first time, a limited number of $500 SAIL Scholarships to eligible participants for the 2013 SAIL program. Please find below details regarding the application process for the Scholarship. Eligibility: SAIL Scholarship applicants can be citizens of any country, 18 years or older. A main criteria for the Scholarship is to demonstrate a verifiable need for financial assistance to participate in the SAIL program. Award Process/Recipient Information: SAIL Scholarship funds will be used to cover SAIL program costs and related expenses. The $500 award will go toward the initial payment (due April 23rd), so awardees will not need to pay this amount (please see timeline on SAIL application). Scholarship recipients will be required to submit a brief written report and/or news article based on their experience, following their return to the United States. Information regarding the report will be provided at a later date. Timeline: SAIL applications for those interested in receiving a Scholarship are due March 15, 2013. A complete SAIL application with attachments, and a $100 deposit in addition to the Scholarship application page are due at this time. Applicants will be notified of their status via the primary email address given on the application within 2 weeks.

Please complete the information and questions below and submit with your application:

Basic Information _______________________________________________________________________________________ Last Name First Name Middle Initial _______________________________________________________________________________________ Current Address _______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Email _______________________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address _______________________________________________________________________________________ Country of Citizenship Passport Number

Scholarship Questions Please write approximately one paragraph, single-spaced (1.5-2 pages total in length), in answer to the following questions: 1) Please describe your financial need for the SAIL Scholarship, and additional ways you plan to fund your experience in Laos. Please list any other Scholarships you have applied for.

2) Please state the impact that receiving the CLS SAIL Scholarship would have on your achievement of academic and/or career and personal goals.

3) CLS’s mission is “to advance knowledge and engagement in the field of Lao Studies through research, education and information sharing.” How would you hope to contribute to or further CLS’s mission upon your return to the U.S. after the program?