Hi everyone!
My name is Viola Tang and I am an international student from Hong Kong. This year I am a Senator in the ASUC with CalSERVE.
February 2010
Hi everyone! Here is a mid-year update from me, on what I have done for international students and our campus this past year!
Advocacy for International Students
- Advocated for campus initiatives in increasing financial aid and scholarships for international students, including Chancellor Birgeneau’s campaign to raise $300 million for Undergraduate Scholarships
- Investigated the state of financial aid for international students
- Organized an International Student Teach-In on the Budget Cuts
- Spoke on behalf of International Students at the November 18th Rally
Increasing Resources
- Increased resources to potential international students by working with the Undergraduate Admissions Office by translating fact sheets, making online presentations and taking part in live chats
- Established various funding sources for the International Students Association at Berkeley, to build a community and provide further resources for international students
International Interest Programming
- Founded the Cal International Student Ambassador Program, allowing Cal students to be ambassadors by making presentations at high schools and local alumni events abroad
- Initiated a pilot program with the Career Center to provide internships, research and volunteer opportunities abroad for Cal students over the summer break
- Planning for: International & American Student Round Tables, International Issues Forum & Speaker Panels
November 2009
Here I have a specific update for international students regarding financial aid and scholarships, as well as the International Student Ambassador program.
I am updating y’all on International Education Week and the International Students Welcome Week next semester! Read on to find out more ^_^
A. International Student Financial Aid & Scholarships
First, with the current economic crisis and financial difficulties that we are all facing, I would like to connect all of you to scholarships and financial aid for international students. I know that a lot of international students are worrying about the upcoming fee hikes. Although few in quantity, there are a number of financial resources available to international students and they are as follows:
1. Berkeley International Office financial aid & scholarship
If you have been here for a year, you are eligible to apply for financial aid and merit based scholarships from UC Berkeley through the Berkeley International Office. The application to receive funding in Spring 2010 is due on November 13th and can be found at: http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/multiple_use/financial_aid.php
The website also lists some other external scholarships you can apply to. In addition, I would recommend the following:
2. UC Berkeley Scholarship Connection
This is a database of scholarships that students can apply to:http://scholarships.berkeley.edu/
Go to “search database” and select “search by type of award/eligibility requirement”, then select “other visa status” under citizenship. Click search. All scholarships that international students can apply to will come up. Currently there are 133!!!
3. California Alumni Association Leadership Scholarship
This is the only scholarship offered by the alumni association that international students can apply to. Information can be found at
http://alumni.berkeley.edu/Students/Scholarships_and_Awards/Leadership_Award/main.asp and applications are usually due in the summer.
4. Prizes & Honors
There are a number of prizes and honors with monetary rewards that international students can apply to. These range from essay writing to filming to translation and more! Information can be found at http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/undergraduates/types_prizes.htm
5. Graduate Student Fellowships
Information on graduate student fellowships can be found at http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/financial/fellowships_office.shtml
6. Funding Opportunities from International & Area Studies
IAS offers a number of different funding opportunities, for travel, research, studies, etc. The database can be found at http://ias.berkeley.edu/funding
Some of my efforts to increase fellowships and scholarships for International Students:
1. International Alumni Clubs
I am outreaching to international alumni clubs to establish fundraising events and scholarships specifically for international students. The Berkeley Club of Hong Kong has a scholarship ball annually for the “Scholarship Fund for Students from Greater China”. There are still some questions regarding how money raised (over $300,000USD) is being allocated and administered and I am currently talking to multiple administrative offices to finalize these procedures.
2. Individual donors
I am outreaching to donors abroad, specifically Berkeley Board of Trustee members located in Hong Kong (it is easier for me to take this as the first step due to my background) to establish further scholarships for international students.
3. Berkeley Campaign for Undergraduate Scholarships
This year the Chancellor aims to raise $300 million USD for undergraduate scholarships. I am working with the student affairs office to bring in initiatives for international students as part of this campaign.
If you have any questions or would like to be involved in these efforts, please feel free to contact me at violatang@berkeley.edu 
B. International Students Ambassador Program
In collaboration with the Admissions Office at UC Berkeley, I have been working to establish an Ambassador Program for international students outreach. The program is intended for current UC Berkeley students to be ambassadors for Berkeley upon returning to their home countries, by making presentations at your high school, schools in the area, and connecting with alumni in your home country. All Ambassadors will receive free training by the Admissions Office and the valuable chance for some networking experience!
We are aiming to start this program this winter break, so if you are interested in joining the Ambassador’s Program, please e-mail Viola at
vjxtang@gmail.com (with [Ambassador] in the subject) by November 13th!
C. International Education Week
The International Students Association at Berkeley is putting on a week of events to celebrate diversity and international exchange on our campusfrom November 16th to 19th. The events for the week are as follows:
Monday 11/16
12pm-1pm Multicultural Show @ Upper Sproul
6pm-9pm Foreign Film Festival @ Multicultural Center (Heller Lounge)
Tuesday 11/17
11am-2pm Food Festival @ South Tree Line (near Upper Sproul)
6pm-9pm Cultural Workshops @ Multicultural Center (Heller Lounge)
Wednesday 11/18
6pm-9pm International Affairs Forum @ Multicultural Center (Heller Lounge)
Thursday 11/19
International Dress Day
We are currently still looking for performers for the Multicultural Show and participants for the Food Festival. We would greatly
appreciate the help of students in putting on these events and if you are available to help out or participate, please contact isab.officer@gmail.com.
D. International Student Welcome Week
The International Students Association at Berkeley will be jointly hosting the International Student Welcome Week in the upcoming semester. Planning for the events have started to take place, and if you are interested in helping out, as a student organization or as individuals, please contact isab.officer@gmail.com.
E. Funding for Students
Finally, with only $1070 left in the ASUC Senate Contingency Fund, CalSERVE senators would be more than happy to connect you to various funds and grants that students can apply to! For more information, feel free to contact any of us!
Thank you for reading!
Love,
Viola
