Top Five Reasons Why You Should Apply for the Thouron Award

• About Us
• / News

[[{"fid":"928","view_mode":"rte_image_placement_center","fields":{"format":"rte_image_placement_center","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Landscape shot of Oxford College","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Landscape shot of Oxford College"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"rte_image_placement_center","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Landscape shot of Oxford College","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Landscape shot of Oxford College"}},"attributes":{"alt":"Landscape shot of Oxford College","title":"Landscape shot of Oxford College","class":"media-element file-rte-image-placement-center","data-delta":"1"}}]]

1. The opportunity to study whatever you want, wherever you want in the United Kingdom

The Thouron Award places very few restrictions on what students can study during their fellowship year abroad. While I chose to pursue a master’s degree in Comparative Social Policy at the University of Oxford, others in my Thouron cohort studied Computer Science, Anthropology, International Relations, Migration Studies, and Journalism at universities across the U.K. This diverse set of interests demonstrates the breadth of courses offered in the U.K. and the generous support the Thouron provides to students from a range of academic backgrounds. The added bonus is that you are guaranteed to have a friend in all corners of the U.K.! I met up with several Thourons throughout the year in London, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.

2. The Thouron is just for Penn students

The Thouron Award is a unique fellowship to Penn. Current Penn students and recent Penn alumni can apply for the award. Meanwhile, students from all across the U.K. can apply for the Thouron and will eventually study at Penn. This means that Penn is what binds the fellowship community together. We’ve all walked down Locust Walk at one point or another and can all share Penn stories. The Thouron is a great way to stay in touch with the Penn community.

3. Generous fellowship stipend to travel around the U.K. and Europe.

The Thouron Award is one of the most generous fellowships around and really invests in the holistic experience of a year abroad. The award not only supports academic life, but also generously funds travel and experiences outside of the classroom that will make your fellowship year unforgettable. For example, I played on the Oxford Blues football team, participated in a university-wide croquet tournament, and learned how to punt. In the U.K., I have been able to travel to London, Devon, Oxford, Cambridge, Wales, Scotland, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, Liverpool, and the Cotswolds. I attended the Henley Royal Regatta, the FA Cup Final, the Royal Ascot Races, and the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. I’ve also had the chance to visit several other countries in Europe with friends from my course.[[{"fid":"929","view_mode":"rte_image_placement_right","fields":{"format":"rte_image_placement_right","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"View of London","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"View of London"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"rte_image_placement_right","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"View of London","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"View of London"}},"attributes":{"alt":"View of London","title":"View of London","class":"media-element file-rte-image-placement-right","data-delta":"2"}}]]

4. The Thouron family

Receiving a Thouron Award also means joining the Thouron family. I cannot overstate the warmth, kindness, and generosity of the Thourons. The family is truly what makes this fellowship so special. They are very involved with current and past award recipients and make every effort to support the fellowship community. The family is genuinely dedicated to supporting exceptional students and scholars. In doing so, they have cultivated an international group of thoughtful, fun, and passionate fellows.

5. The Thouron community for life

[[{"fid":"930","view_mode":"rte_image_placement_left","fields":{"format":"rte_image_placement_left","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Thouron ski trip group","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Thouron ski trip group"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"rte_image_placement_left","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Thouron ski trip group","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Thouron ski trip group"}},"attributes":{"alt":"Thouron ski trip group","title":"Thouron ski trip group","class":"media-element file-rte-image-placement-left","data-delta":"3"}}]]The Thouron Award does not end on your last day abroad. The Thouron family hosts an annual ski trip, garden parties, and other yearly gatherings to bring the community together. These events have been the source of some of my fondest Thouron memories and have solidified many cross-continental, lifelong friendships.

The opportunity to apply for a Thouron should not be missed. Earning my master’s degree at Oxford as a Thouron scholar has been a true gift. I cannot speak highly enough of the experiences this award has afforded me this year, and I look forward to participating in this vibrant community in the years to come.

To learn more about the Thouron Award, check out: https://www.thouronaward.org/

Elizabeth Thom studied Comparative Social Policy at the University of Oxford as a Thouron Award recipient. Prior to her fellowship, Elizabeth was a Senior Project Coordinator and Research Assistant at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Penn in 2014 where she majored in Political Science and Hispanic Studies.

[[{"fid":"931","view_mode":"rte_image_placement_center","fields":{"format":"rte_image_placement_center","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Elizabeth Thom","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Elizabeth Thom"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"rte_image_placement_center","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Elizabeth Thom","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Elizabeth Thom"}},"attributes":{"alt":"Elizabeth Thom","title":"Elizabeth Thom","class":"media-element file-rte-image-placement-center","data-delta":"4"}}]]

The views expressed in contributed blog posts belong solely to the indicated author and do not necessarily respresent those of the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships or those of the University of Pennsylvania.

Related Articles