Program Details and Support

The Ricci Scholars program provides significant, dedicated, and multi-layered support across all stages—before, during, and after students pursue their study and research interests abroad in Rome then East Asia.  Please see below for details. 

“I can attest that this program was truly the best choice I could have made during my college career.”

--Alaina Miller, Ricci Scholar 2018-2019

Impactful.  Engaging.  Supportive.  Transformative.

Financial Support:

The Ricci Scholars program covers roundtrip airfare to/from Rome and an approved destination in East Asia and provides $1500 in research funds ($750 per semester).  (Students will pay tuition and room/board at Loyola University Chicago during their junior year, according to rates for the Rome Center and the destination in East Asia.)

Research Support:

The Ricci Scholars program provides significant mentoring and support before, during, and after students’ time abroad.  Ricci candidates receive mentorship as they plan their projects as sophomores before leaving the U.S.  Then, supported by designated faculty in Rome and the East Asian destination, Ricci students receive assistance in conducting and refining their research in their junior year.  As seniors back in Chicago, students compare the two semesters' work and present at Loyola's Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium (URES).

Ricci-Specific Academic Credit:

Ricci students receive a total of 7 credits for their participation in the program.  The spring and fall semesters each have a 3-credit Ricci seminar (UNIV 301 and 302) designed to support students’ research and writing.  Each course counts as both Writing Intensive (WI) and Engaged Learning (EL).  Of course, Ricci students take other courses in Rome and East Asia as well.  Once students are back in Chicago, they finalize the presentation of their comparative research through a one-credit seminar in the fall semester (UNIV 340).

Fellowship Support (for internal and external fellowships):

Ricci Scholars have received multiple additional grants and fellowships for before, during, and after their projects!  Indeed, fellowship application support is a key part of the Ricci Scholars program.

With valuable guidance from the Fellowship Office and the Study Abroad Office, Ricci students have won numerous prestigious external fellowships, including Gilman Scholarships and Freeman-Asia awards (which are offered by the same organization that provides Fulbright scholarships).  Students are encouraged to reach out to Andy Weber, Fellowship Coordinator, as soon as possible.  Andy has extensive experience working with Ricci Scholars, is familiar with many different relevant fellowships, and is a helpful resource during the planning and proposal development process.  Likewise, the Study Abroad Office and advisors have significant expertise with multiple study-abroad specific grants and fellowships.  In order to receive multi-layered support, Ricci applicants should also discuss fellowship plans with Marlee Stein, Director of Study Abroad and Ricci study abroad advisor.

Further, Ricci students have won many internal fellowships at Loyola over the years too—frequently the Provost Fellowship (though there are additional suitable options).  More information about LUROP fellowships can be found here.  Internal fellowships are available to support pre-departure preparation before Ricci starts as well as continued research and analysis after the field research phase of Ricci is complete.  Dr. Butler will provide proposal support and assist with planning.

Ricci-Specific Academic Advising: 

In addition to their academic advisor, Ricci students also have access to a Ricci-specific study abroad academic advisor.  Marlee Stein, Director of Study Abroad, serves in this role and draws on a deep understanding of study abroad logistics, which has proven quite helpful to Ricci students both pre-departure and while abroad. 

The Ricci Librarian:

The Ricci Scholars program is very fortunate to have a designated Ricci Scholars librarian, Monique Clark, who can assist with locating sources in all phases of your project.  There is also a Ricci Scholars library resource guide for both the “East” and “West” semesters.

Study Abroad Support:

Loyola’s Rome Center and Loyola’s study abroad partners in East Asia are well-equipped to provide on-site student support in various capacities.  The partner sites in East Asia have strong records of hosting international students and provide extensive (and exciting!) curricular offerings for Loyola students.

Formal Graduation Honors:

At graduation, students who have successfully completed the requirements of the program will receive the formal honor of Ricci Scholar.

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