CGE Influencers & Storytellers Scholarship

In addition to the below expectations, both Influencers and Storytellers will be relied upon to submit authentic, culturally immersive content (pictures and/or videos) regularly throughout your time abroad to be used in departmental/university marketing and future promotional materials as the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) sees fit.

CGE Influencers:

Primary focus: Videoed content

• 1 social media takeover while abroad
• 5+ vlogs (1-minute minimum apiece) that cover pre-approved* or suggested topics
• 1 highlight reel/reflection video recapping your experience with supporting pictures and videos

CGE Storytellers:

Primary focus: Written content

• 1 social media takeover while abroad
• 5+ blogs (300 words-minimum with 1 supporting photo apiece) that cover pre-approved* or suggested topics 
• 1 program feature story/article or written in-depth analysis of your experience appropriate for external audiences beyond UT

Purpose: 

• To engage with audiences regarding an abroad country, culture, or program 
• To entertain audiences with authentic abroad experiences or related content
• To educate audiences on the impact of global engagement and provide personal examples

Audience:

• Prospective and current UT students
• Alumni and potential donors
• Campus and international partners

Context:

Create content to be broadcast across current platforms (listed below) for the purpose of sharing your authentic #VolsAbroad experience and engaging with key audiences

Current Platforms:

Within Programs Abroad: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, website

Within the Center for Global Engagement: Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, Twitter, YouTube, website

What didn’t you see that you were hoping to see? Tell us in your application below!

Applicants not selected in the priority round will automatically be considered in the standard round. If an applicant wishes to alter their original application, they can submit a second application which will be considered completely separate from the initial application.

Applicants MUST be participating on a PAO-approved program for Spring 2025 to be considered for the scholarship. If you haven’t started your abroad program application, it’s not too late! Start the process to go abroad!

Spring 2025  program abroad applications are due October 30, 2024. 

For CGE Influencers – The application includes submitting a 1-3 minute video introducing yourself as you would to CGE’s social media followers. Please include:

• Introductions: Name, major, class standing
• Name of selected abroad program and location
• Reason(s) for interest in being a CGE Influencer
• Specific target audience you would like to reach with your content
  • What makes you the best person to reach this audience?

For CGE Storytellers – The application includes submitting a 300-word written piece introducing yourself as you would to CGE’s audiences. Please include:

• Introductions: Name, major, class standing
• Name of selected abroad program and location
• Reason(s) for interest in being a CGE Storyteller
• Specific target audience you would like to reach with your content
  • What makes you the best person to reach this audience?

Example Application:

Hi #VolsAbroad!

My name is Smokey XI, and I am sophomore majoring in Best Mascot Around! I’m going on the UT in Florence program in Italy for Spring 2025! I CAN’T WAIT to learn first-hand about Italian art and architecture – and especially experience authentic Italian cuisine. Yum!

 I am ready to join the #VolsAbroad fam as a [CGE Influencer or CGE Storyteller]. My perspective is unique, because [examples of why]. I have never seen [example] showcased and so I plan to immerse myself and engage in the Italian culture through [examples of ways] to highlight it for everyone back on Rocky Top. I’ve also never travelled far from home before, so this is going to be quite the adventure for me, and I hope you’ll follow along!

I am the BEST person for the job because I am upbeat, outgoing, and heavily involved on campus, participating in academic and extracurricular opportunities like [examples of clubs and orgs]. Using my platform, I can reach all my friends – roughly 3.27 million – sharing the beauty of other cultures and encouraging them to pursue their own education abroad or global engagement opportunities right on campus!

As a Bluetick Coonhound, my ancestors are all from right here in the USA. I’m certainly not the first in my family to pursue a college experience, but I am the first in my litter to go abroad! I especially want to reach other Coonhounds who have never considered the possibility of going abroad and others majoring in Best Mascot Around! I want to change how they view study abroad by [example].  

We’re going to have a paw-esome time! Until then, ciao!