The International Student Essay Contest provides an opportunity for international students to reflect on their experiences and share their Spartan stories to encourage, inspire and educate others.
By sharing your story, you can help fellow students and people in the greater Lansing community walk a mile in your shoes – to know and appreciate what it is like for you to be an international student at MSU today.
Share some of your experiences, encounters with cultural differences, insights and emotions during your time as an MSU student.
Essays will be read by a panel of judges selected from campus and community partners, and three winners will be chosen. Each winner will receive a monetary prize, as follows:
Best overall essay: $1000
Best essay by an undergraduate student: $750
Best essay by a graduate or professional student: $750
The 2023 Essay Contest is now closed. Please check back toward the end of the year for information regarding the 2024 Essay Contest.
MSU undergraduate or graduate international students maintaining F or J status.
No more than 4 pages typed and double-spaced. Include your name and email address in the header on each page.
Times New Roman, 12 pt
The 2023 Essay Contest is now closed. Please check back toward the end of the year for more information regarding the 2024 Essay Contest.
Submission of your essay indicates that you authorize MSU to release all information submitted as part of your participation in the Essay Contest to the Essay Contest Review Committee for the purpose of assessing your candidacy for an award. All or parts of winning and non-winning essays might be published on the OISS website and other media such as the Lansing State Journal. By submitting your essay, you agree that your essay can be used in this way.
The 2023 Essay Contest is now closed. Please check back toward the end of the year for more information regarding the 2024 Essay Contest.
The 2023 Essay Contest is now closed. Please check back toward the end of the year for information regarding the 2024 Essay Contest.
Honorable Mention Essays 2016 (PDF)
Honorable Mention Essays 2015 (PDF)
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