Deutsches Haus in New Orleans is one of the oldest cultural institutions in town. It is a home to all people of German extraction and it is the site of a very successful annual Oktoberfest with patrons from all over Southern Louisiana . On the occasion of the Ten Year Anniversary Celebration of Center Austria at UNO, Keith Oldendorf, the President of the Board of Deutsches Haus, announced a new annual award for UNO students to study in Austria or Germany that have a duration of either a semester or an academic year.

For 35 years, the University of New Orleans has been nurturing a strong relationship with the University of Innsbruck and more recently with other Austrian universities. In addition, the Division of International Education has been building new partnerships with universities in Germany . Deutsches Haus wants to help UNO students study abroad and improve their German language skills utilizing these UNO networks in Austria and Germany .

ELIGIBILITY: An undergraduate applicant must be a continuing full- or part-time student, currently enrolled at the University of New Orleans and have completed at least two years of college with at least 60 credits from the University of New Orleans . A minimum UNO GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) is necessary. A copy of the student's current transcript, official or unofficial, must be submitted with the application. Under extenuating circumstances, consideration may be given to students with less than 60 hours. A graduate applicant must be a continuing full- or part-time student, currently enrolled at the University of New Orleans and have completed at least 15 credit hours at UNO. Under extenuating circumstances, consideration may be given to graduate students with less than 15 hours. To be eligible for this award, all applicants must first apply through the Division of International Education to the Academic Year Abroad program in Innsbruck , Austria , or to a semester / year exchange with a UNO partner university in Germany . Consideration for the award remains the exclusive right of CenterAustria and the Division of International Education.

VALUE OF PROGRAM TO ACADEMIC PLANS: The applicant must submit a statement discussing how the study abroad experience will enhance his/her academic curriculum and goals. This need not be extensive, but should illustrate the fact that the applicant has considered the international program, its values and experiences, and its importance for the applicant's career and life aspirations.

FINANCIAL NEED: Consideration will be given to those students who demonstrate a clear financial need to study abroad for a year. It remains the sole discretion of CenterAustria and the Division of International Education as to what consideration will be given based on financial need. Students are still required to meet the other established criteria under ELIGIBILITY AND VALUE OF PROGRAM TO ACADEMIC PLANS . CenterAustria and the Division of International Education reserve the right to ask students for proof of financial need through financial documents.

EXCLUSIONS: Student workers and others presently employed by CenterAustria and the Division of International Education are ineligible to apply for this award, as are the children of any faculty or staff member who will be working on one of UNO's study abroad programs.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted (either directly to our offices or through the applicant) from references who have known the applicant at least one year. The letters should discuss briefly the applicant's character, personality and temperament, dependability and leadership characteristics. Reference letters cannot be accepted from staff members of the Division of International Education or CenterAustria.

HONORS STUDENTS: Honors students are encouraged to apply for these programs.

AWARD AMOUNTS: Depending on the applicant pool and their qualifications, two awards of $2,500 each are available. Applicants should carefully examine program information before applying and calculate the remaining costs that will be incurred. Refer to the departmental web site (http://inst.uno.edu) for fee schedules, dates, and course offerings of the individual programs, or visit the Division of International Education and speak with the appropriate staff member overseeing the program. Contact information: Division of International Education, University of New Orleans, Education Bldg. Room 115, New Orleans, LA 70148. Phone (504) 280-7116 or (504) 280-6388. E-mail: isep@uno.edu .

PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES: Applications must be submitted no later than March 1 st 2009. Preliminary finalists will be contacted for personal interviews and must be present at the interview to be considered for an award. Submitted materials will not be returned. Be sure to submit a copy of your University of New Orleans transcript with two letters of reference.