Do You Think You Will Be the Next 2009 Student Diplomat?

Northwestern University junior, Asha Toulmin, gives insights to becoming the next 2009 Student Diplomat.

Have you been dreaming of becoming a student diplomat? Well now is your chance. The global education magazine for students, NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Abroad View, is hosting a video contest to crown the next 2009 Student Diplomat.

The Student Diplomat Contest is an annual contest that fosters global thought through study abroad and international experiences. Previous winners include 2008 Student Diplomat Katherine Lonsdorf, a 2009 graduate from Occidental College, and 2007 Student Diplomat Hammad Hammad, a senior at Georgetown University.  This year the Student Diplomat contest utilizes video to capture these lifetime experiences through rich media. The contest is open to undergraduate students from across the country that are either currently studying abroad or have studied abroad since Spring 2005. Not sure what to talk about in particular? Students are encourage to draw upon their study abroad experience and understand how this has shaped their perspective as a global citizen, helped to foster peace or cross-cultural understanding. The videos should be no longer than three minutes.

Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT, November 6, 2009. Expert panelist chosen from Abroad View Foundation and NAFSA: Association of International Educators will select the finalist videos. The videos will then be posted on November 17, 2009 to the Contest Site where everyone can vote on their favorite video.  The winner and 2009 Student Diplomat will be crowned from a combination of winning the popular and panelist votes. The 2009 Student Diplomat will receive a $300 cash prize and the title of “2009 Student Diplomat”

Here are the important points to remember:

1. Be crowned the “2009 Student Diplomat” & win $300 cash by submitting a 1-3 minute video about your study abroad experience.
2. Make a video about how this experience has enriched your global perspective or how you made a positive impact on the local community abroad. *Quality, relevance to the theme, and creativity will be key evaluations.
3. Deadline for submissions is November 6, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
4. Finalists will be posted on the Contest Site on November 17, 2009.
5. The winner will be chosen from the finalist by the panel of judges and the community.

***About NAFSA: Association of International Educators – With nearly 10,000 members, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to international education. Abroad View, the global magazine for students, seeks to foster global understanding and cultural awareness among study abroad students and international students.