Have you traveled or lived in another country? Cultural and language differences can be overwhelming. Imagine how challenging it might be to arrive in the United States or Canada to start graduate study using a foreign language. Having a P.E.O. or chapter to greet and support you could make a world of difference.
P.E.O.s provide love and encouragement and promote peace through understanding among peoples of the world, beginning with education. Since 1968, P.E.O.s have contributed to the International Peace Scholarship Designated Award program, which matches each student with a chapter or group of chapters. This special relationship offers the recipient an opportunity to experience the warmth of P.E.O., and learn about our culture while we learn about her studies and her homeland. A bond may develop with the recipient making her a better ambassador for peace when she returns to her homeland.
Jue Zhang, a 2007 recipient from China, recently wrote, “I am writing to say thanks to your organization and all of the sweet friends in P.E.O. who helped me or other friends like me. I miss those days you and your friends encouraged me through sending cards or writing to me… I want to let them know, those days, those words, those people, I will never ever forget.”
Being paired with a Designated Award (DA) student can change your life too!
IPS is a unique philanthropy; P.E.O. chapters do not sponsor IPS students. The relationship between a chapter and student begins after the student has been selected. A Designated Award is a gift to IPS of $500 or more from an individual, chapter or group of chapters, with the request that it be used for a DA. Consider joining nearby chapters in funding a DA student. You are giving a gift of education as your donation becomes part of the scholarship awarded to the student.
The DA form (at peointernational.org) must be mailed with the check to the state/provincial/district treasurer in time to be received in the Des Moines office by March 1. Individual gifts can be made by mailing the DA form and check directly to P.E.O. International.
After accepting our scholarship, students are matched with chapters. Be aware that each student may have several chapters supporting her. Cards, notes of encouragement, emails, photos or small gifts mean so
much, making her feel welcomed and supported while here. Since a student’s primary responsibility is her education, and several chapters may be contacting her, please be considerate of her time. A student’s study schedule may not always allow time for prompt responses.
If your designated student is nearby, inviting her to your home for a meeting or holiday visit would give her a glimpse of life in the U.S. or Canada. Even if she is far away, a meaningful relationship can be established through email or photos. Since IPS students are internet-savvy, they are comfortable using email to stay connected.
IPS students not only appreciate our scholarships, but they often remember most the encouragement and support from P.E.O.s. These special connections we make as women help break down barriers, bringing us closer to peace in the world.
