molodoychelovek

A FLAS award is definitely awesome. A free year of MA-level study is something hard to come by in this day and age. As far as prestige... If you are working in the language/area studies field, or perhaps politics, then it is fairly prestigious (in my opinion). FLAS has been around for decades. Can't hurt to have it on your CV. It looks impressive in my opinion.

That's the pressing question for me at the moment. I've been awarded a "conditional" FLAS award, contingent apon the US Dept or Education's decision to fund the FLAS center that made the award. This situation makes it difficult to plan for next year. If the FLAS comes through, I'll be delighted. But if it doesn't, I don't know whether I'll be able to attend. They aren't anticipating a decision until summer :/

That's awesome, congrats clurtheblur!

While we're on that topic, has anyboad heard back yet from SWSEEL regarding funding? I understand they notify *only* recipients and alternates. I haven't heard anything yet... but I don't know if awards have been made yet...

Even if you already speak Ukrainian at an advanced level and don't need the courses, I think it would suit you well to go to the school that has made a strong commitment to Ukrainian studies and will continue to do so even after you graduate... and that includes offering Ukrainian language courses. Actually, I sounds like KU has made you a much better offer. Summer in L'viv?!? I say go for it!!! Reading your message, it sounds like your heart and mind are set on KU, but your advisors are telling you to do IU. Your advisors are people whom you've undoubtedly grown to trust and admire, so I can completely understand why their advice has you second-guessing yourself. However, it seems like you've seriously considered both programs. Both are great schools! But it's up to *you* (and not your professors) to decide which is a better fit for YOU. I hope this helps, good luck!

That's true... but we have a fairly sizable community on this forum, and Eurasia is a very large region. As it turns out, someone applying for Eurasia did come forward saying that they got the letter. So I guess all letters are out. Best of luck to those who got it! I'll try again another year.

Fellowship applicant for Russia. To date, I have not received an email. I find it hard to believe that ALL letters have been sent and that not a single soul applying for Russia/E. Europe was asked for a budget update. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Enzian, are you studying BCS? Or I am I mistaking you for someone else on this forum? Because I think they offer tuition waivers (ACLS) for first year BCS. Maybe that's still available? Do you think UNC would give you anything for the summer if you enrolled? I would try asking for what it's worth. Who knows, maybe they'll have some extra funding lying around somewhere come summertime (perhaps wistful thinking, but not impossible).

Congrats clur!! That's great news! Do you mind if I ask? Are you coming straight out of undergrad, or have you been working/living abroad/something else these past few years?? I always wonder how much life experience plays into FLAS awards. Coming straight out of undergrad, I wasn't sure what to expect... And yeah, this whole FLAS process IS weird haha.

Thanks, Enzian! I guess I'm leaning towards Indiana because I got into the Slavic Lang/Lit dept (I'm hopeing to study Slavic linguistics). Slavic at IUB is top noch IMHO. But CREES at Ann Arbor is an awesome program too, and UMich is a great school! In any case I have a English teaching job in Russia lined up. I need to give them an answer soon, and I'm inclined to do so because it's a done deal (whereas waiting for a FLAS to come through could prove futile). Plus I really miss the babushkas and kefir haha. But anything you find out would be greatly appreciated!!!

Congrats on the WCED fellowship! I got one too, but only for $9000 (plus $3000 for the summer if I particpate in the seminar). I'm an alternate for FLAS. I also got the same concise letter from Indiana. So that makes two alternates and one rejection. I wonder how many people make it to the alternate list, though. I don't know if I should hold my breath...

UMich FLAS decisions are in the mail, check your boxes...

UMich just sent decisions out. Check your email, everybody! Good luck!!!

Congrats on the acceptances everyone!! What languages/levels did you all apply to SWSEEL for???

I applied for a summer FLAS for the SWSEEL at Indiana...