Overview

The Phillips Ambassadors is one of the most generous and flexible scholarships for undergraduate study abroad at Carolina. The scholarship combines a financial award, an academic course, and a charge to students to share their unique study abroad experience with young people in their hometowns and with the Carolina community.

Carolina undergraduates in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are accepted to an approved study abroad program in Asia are eligible to apply to become Phillips Ambassadors. Qualified students from all academic majors may apply, with 25% of the scholarships are awarded to qualified business majors and minors.  Graduating Seniors are not eligible to apply.

Phillips Ambassadors are selected twice a year, once during the fall semester, and again in the spring semester. Application deadlines coincide with study abroad program deadlines set by the Study Abroad Office at UNC.

Phillips Ambassadors are selected based on their high level of academic achievement and commitment to activities, service and leadership in the classroom and beyond. Strong communication skills and evidence of self-motivation are important. A clear understanding and enunciation of how Asia and one's study abroad experience fit into long-term goals will be considered.

Phillips Ambassadors will:

  1. successfully complete an eligible study abroad program in Asia.
  2. receive a financial scholarship of up to $7,500 for semester and year-long programs and up to $5000 for summer programs to go towards the costs of the study abroad program.
  3. complete the Phillips Ambassadors Academic Course, a 3-credit hour International Studies (INTS) course led by Carolina faculty designed to help the Ambassadors understand their experience in a global context. The course will consist of a weekend retreat both before and after the study abroad experience and participation in an on-line Blackboard discussion while abroad.
  4. be an "ambassador" by completing ALL of the following after returning to UNC: 1) write, or have written, one article about your experience abroad in any publication (local newspaper, UNC publication, tv/radio show, web journal, etc.); 2) give an outreach presentation about the country you studied in at a school in your hometown; 3) participate in three UNC study abroad events (study abroad fair, information session, etc.) promoting your study abroad program; 4) write a two-page summary of your study abroad experience to post on the Phillips website.