Freeman Scholars

Freeman Scholars fosters deeper understanding between the United States and Asia through funding immersive educational experiences.

 

Freeman Scholars is a prestigious award that provides generous funding to undergraduate and graduate students completing internships in East and Southeast Asia. The primary objective of the award is to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the United States and East Asia through funding immersive experiences for students to gain a deeper understanding of the different cultures, economies, systems and values prevalent in the region.

How to Apply

This is a competitive award. Students may apply for this award in conjunction with an internship program coordinated by UT Education Abroad or to fund a self-sourced internship. Students may only be awarded once.

Eligibility

In order to apply, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student
• Good academic and disciplinary standing during the entire application process and internship
• Participating on an in-person internship of at least six weeks
• Interning in one of the following Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.

Application

All applicants must apply through LASSO.

You do not need to have your internship (host company) confirmed before applying, but you will need to submit confirmation of your internship before your stipend is disbursed.  For more information, see the Freeman FAQ.

Self-Sourced Internship Applicants

Please note: If you are selected, your internship will be considered university-related travel. You will need to register your travel and purchase UT Overseas Insurance.

Deadlines

The following deadlines are priority deadlines, meaning that applications are still accepted after these dates, but awards are contingent on remaining funds.

Spring Internships	October 15
Summer Internships	February 15
Fall Internships	April 15

Internship Opportunities

Japan

Global Career Launch: Faculty-Driven

Design and Build a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

• Open to all majors, including undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer (8 weeks)
• Deadline: Nov. 15
• Cost (estimated): $6,080

Application Process

• Minimum 2.0 GPA
• Meet with faculty leader
• Email statement of interest, resume, and two letters of recommendation to program coordinator
• May be invited for interview

Global Career Launch: Internship Providers

Absolute Internship Tokyo

Duration:

• 4 weeks (Start Dates: May 31 / June 28 / July 26)
• 8 weeks (Start Dates: May 31 / June 28)
• 12 weeks (Start Date: May 31)

Cost:

• 4 weeks: €5,495 (approx. $6,140 USD)
• 8 weeks: €7,995 (approx. $8,934 USD)
• 12 weeks: €10,995 (approx. $12,286 USD)

Application Process:

• Submit a general online application via the website, CV is required.

CIEE Tokyo

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer Term: 8 weeks (Jun. 16 – Aug. 9)
• Deadline: February 15
• Cost: $8,950

Application Process:

• Create CIEE account and fill out application
• CV may be required
• Transcripts may be required
• GPA 2.5 and above

CRCC Tokyo

Duration

• 1, 2 or 3 months, multiple start dates throughout the year
• Must apply at least 6 – 10 weeks prior to preferred start date

Cost:

• Regular Program (includes housing & visa)
  • 1 month: $6,280, 2 months: $7,700, 3 months: $8,870
• Placement Only Program
  • $3,085 (for all 1-, 2-, and three-month programs)

Application Process:

• Submit a general online application via the website, CV is required.

CRCC Kansai Region

Duration:

• 1, 2 or 3 months, multiple start dates throughout the year
• Must apply at least 6 – 10 weeks prior to preferred start date

Korea

Global Career Launch: Internship Providers

Absolute Internship Seoul

Duration:

• 4 weeks - May 31 / June 28 / July 26
• 8 weeks - May 31 / June 28
• 12 weeks - May 31

Cost:

• 4 weeks: €4,695 (approx. $5,246
• 8 weeks €6,595 (approx. $7,370)
• 12 weeks €7,895 (approx. $8,822)

Application Process:

• Submit a general online application via the website, CV is required.

CIEE Seoul

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer – 8 weeks (Jun 16 – Aug 9)
• Deadline: February 15
• Cost: $7,950

Application Process:

• Create CIEE account and fill out application
• CV may be required
• Transcripts may be required
• GPA 2.5 and above

CRCC Seoul

Duration:

• 1, 2 or 3 months, multiple start dates throughout the year

Deadline: 

• Must apply at least 6 – 10 weeks prior to preferred start date

Cost:

• Regular Program (includes housing & visa)
  • 1 month: $5,950, 2 months: $7,550, 3 months: $8,590
• Placement Only Program
  • $2,975 (for all 1-, 2-, and three-month programs)

Application Process:

• Submit a general online application via the website, CV is required.

Korea University

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer (Begins the 4th week of May)
• Deadline: Before the end of February
• Cost: Application fee and tuition

Application Process:

• Check ISC Internship Notice, submit Online Application Form, and pay application fee
• Submit Internship Company Selection Survey and upload CV
• Final acceptance for internship is determined by the companies. Not all applicants to the internship will be guaranteed a position

Yonsei University

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer – 7.5 weeks (Jun 17 – Aug 6)
• Deadline: Application period: Feb 1 – March 14
  • All YSIP applicants should complete the YISS application 2 weeks before the Application Deadline.
  • Payment Deadline for Internship Application: March 21

Application Process:

• Submit an online application through the YIS portal
• Internship applicants are required to take at least two courses including the internship course (Internship + 1 academic course)

Taiwan

Global Career Launch: Internship Providers

CET Taipei

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Fall (Aug 21 – Nov 16)
  • Deadline: May 1
  • Fee: $18,990
• Spring (Feb 19 – May 17)
  • Deadline: Nov 1
  • Fee: $18,990

Application Process:

• Complete the application through your online CET account 
• Upload a scan of your passport to account
• Language Level Recommendation 
• Study Abroad office recommendation 
• Submit official transcript

CIEE Taipei

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer Term – 8 weeks (Jun 16 – Aug 9)
• Deadline: Feb 15
• Cost: $7950

Application Process:

• Create CIEE account and fill out application
• CV may be required
• Transcripts may be required
• GPA 2.5 and above

Thailand

Global Career Launch: Faculty-Driven

Health Benefits of Buddhist Walking Meditation

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students in any major, but would be an especially good fit for students who are majoring in kinesiology or biology.

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• Summer – 6 weeks (TBD July 1 – Aug 19)
• Deadline: Dec 1
• Cost (estimated): $5,334

Application Process

• Minimum 2.0 GPA
• Meet with faculty leader
• Email statement of interest, resume, and two letters of recommendation to program coordinator
• May be invited for interview

Global Career Launch: Internship Providers

CRCC Bangkok

Duration, Deadline, and Cost:

• 1, 2 or 3 months, multiple start dates throughout the year
• Must apply at least 6 – 10 weeks prior to preferred start date

Cost:

• Regular Program (includes housing & visa)
  • 1 month: $4,875, 2 months: $6,125, 3 months: $7,125
• Placement Only Program
  • $2,500 (for all 1-, 2-, and three-month programs)

Application Process:

• Submit a general online application via the website, CV is required.

History of Impact

Since 2012, more than 280 UT students have been named Freeman Scholars. These students developed cultural competencies and professional skills all while contributing to a workplace abroad, interning in Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Indonesia. Upon their return, each student completed a project to share their experience in Asia with their UT community.

Impact on Scholars

Freeman Scholars share the personal impact of this scholarship and their experience in Asia.

Freeman Projects

Upon their return to campus, each Freeman Scholar designs a project to share their experience in Asia with their UT community.

Selected Projects

Through these projects, Freeman Scholars reflect upon their experience in Asia and share what they learned with classmates who may never have been to Asia. These self-designed projects can take many forms, but some past examples include:

• Reflective blog or vlog post
• Videos of their experience in Asia
• Presentations to classes or student organizations
• Cooking class of local cuisine
• Art installation
• Talking with students at outreach events