As one of 10 schools selected to participate in an extremely selective international program, the University is now offering its students the opportunity to meet with foreign diplomats, take classes abroad and enjoy a summer in the Netherlands. Only 100 students world-wide will be selected for the program, which is sponsored by the Institute for International Mediation and Conflict Resolution, according to Institute President Cody Shearer. He added that the experience is invaluable for any student interested in pursuing a career in international affairs. Despite the seminar's selectivity, students chosen to participate are required to pay $3,500 for the summer session. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available upon request, Shearer said. But Luise Moskowitz, spokesperson for the College of General Studies, said Penn itself cannot provide any funding because it is not directly affiliated with the program. "For summer abroad, financial aid is very limited," she explained. "We certainly don't have money to fund programs which are not sponsored and approved by Penn." International Relations Associate Director Frank Plantan said students should consider the expense of the program before applying. "It looks good on paper, but whether a student should spend money as opposed to going on another program is in question," Plantan said. According to Plantan, the expensive nature of the symposium potentially limits the application pool and subsequent selectivity of the program. But he added that the seminar could be "a great educational experience." The four-week program will allow selected students to participate in a seminar addressing various issues including global conflict resolution, international business, civil rights and international law, according to Shearer. "The curriculum is tough," he said. "We are looking for people who are extraordinarily articulate, ambitious and inquisitive? people who participate in life." However, given the seminar's potential benefits, Political Science Professor John Ikenberry said the symposium "looks like a terrific program." "Penn students with an interest in international relations should try to get involved if they can," Ikenberry added.
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