A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY ABROAD IN THE UNITED STATES
The Brittingham Viking Organization is currently accepting applications for a full-ride scholarship to study at
the University Of Wisconsin-Madison for the academic year 2014-1015. The BVO has provided scholarships
for Scandinavian students interested in studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 1953. The
Scholarship of USD 35 000 covers tuition, housing and the transatlantic round trip flight.
Are you?
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Socially active
Globally minded
Academically motivated
A talented forward driven leader of tomorrow who is passionate about what you do
A Finnish Citizen currently enrolled at a Finnish University or other Institution of Higher Education
Then we want to offer you the opportunity to…
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Study at one of the worlds highest ranked institutions of higher education for one academic year;
Choose from over 4000 classes offered each year – it can, but doesn’t have to be related to what
you are doing now;
Meet a variety of people from different backgrounds whilst traveling extensively in the United
States; and
Gain experiences and connections that shape your future.
Become a lifetime member of an active scholarship alumni organization
The application process:
The scholar will be chosen based on a written application and an interview. The application should contain
a cover letter, a resume, university transcript(s), a tentative study plan for the academic year, receipt for
paid application fee and two letters of recommendation. The scholar should have a conversational
proficiency in at least Finnish, Swedish and English and be 21 years of age or older when traveling on the
scholarship.
The application should be delivered to Heli Pajuniemi, c/o Roschier, Keskuskatu
7 A, 00100 Helsinki no later than 4 pm on November 1st, 2013. The application fee is € 10 and should be
paid to the account Aktia 405540-232023 with the notification: BVO Scholarship.
Interviews will be held on November 9th 2013.
For additional information on the scholarship and the organization, visit: www.brittinghamvikings.org,
contact bvofinland@gmail.com or call Kristian Pentti +358503001221.
GOOD TO KNOW
The University of Wisconsin-Madison - The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the top universities
in the world; ranked among others by the respected Shanghai list ARWU (Academic Ranking of World
Universities) as 19th in the world and has held a top 20 ranking on that same list since 2004. It carries over
4000 classes from which the BVO encourages the scholar to choose those benefitting his person, without
regard to pure academic considerations. In addition to outstanding academic and scientific merits the
university is considered to have one of the most active social scenes (the best according to some sources) in
the country, granting the scholar a unique opportunity to take part in the American college experience.
Furthermore, many of the university’s sport teams are competing in division one, including the football
team, the home games of which draw an attendance in excess of 80,000.
Madison, Wisconsin - Madison is the capitol city of the state of Wisconsin. It was the epicenter for the
Vietnam War protests in the Midwest and is still known throughout the country as a political hub where
presidential candidates, among others President Obama, speak during their campaigns. The university has a
strong presence in the city, some 20 % of the residents being students or researchers. Due to the strong
university presence the city also has a rich cultural diversity visible from music to movies and food, with
different events daily. The active business community of tech and life science companies can also to some
extent be attributed to the university.
United States - The United States is a vast country that has to be experienced firsthand. The scholarship
offers the opportunity to travel within the United Stated with a standing invitation to visit BVO members
and their families all across the country. Travel is pre-arranged and a requirement of the scholarship
experience and the scholars regularly travel to more than 30 states during their year. Scholars are
encouraged to pursue the advantages of the BVO network including learning more about individual
interests in careers and hobbies through meeting other BVO members.
The BVO - The Brittingham Viking Organization has been making academic, social and professional
connections between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Scandinavia for over 60 years. The
organization was founded in 1953 by Thomas E. Brittingham Jr. to bring Nordic students to the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, and since then, hundreds have benefited from the program. Once students participate
in a BVO program, they become members of the ”Viking Family”, which raises funds to sustain the
scholarships for future generations to come. While in Madison you will live with other Brittingham Viking
Scholars from Denmark, Sweden and Norway and in many ways function as ambassadors for the BVO and
for your own respective countries. Our extensive alumni network offers a unique opportunity to connect
with leaders and professionals in multiple fields from all the Nordic countries and the United States. This
extensive network has benefitted many of its members in their own careers. The BVO also organizes an
annual convention every summer, rotating between Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Madison as
hosts. Scholars are encouraged to attend the convention following their scholarship experience, as it is a
good way for them to meet past Vikings and formally thank the organization. The 62nd annual BVO
convention will be in Helsinki in August 2015.