Norway

BURSARY INFORMATION

Norwegian House Society (“NHS”) is offering nine (9) $1,000 bursaries in 2024. They may be presented at a dinner on Friday May 17^th, 2024 Norway’s Constitutional Day, at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby. The bursaries are:

1. Egil Lorntzsen Memorial Bursary: Established by NHS in memory of the founder of B.C.’s Lornex mine. Preference is given to students in engineering, geology, mining, and related fields.
2. John Sherman Memorial Bursary: Established by NHS in memory of the founder of John Sherman Agencies Ltd. of Vancouver. Preference is given to students in culinary arts, instrumentation, and related fields, or in Norwegian studies.
3. Egil Lyngen Memorial Bursary: Established by Peter Cruikshank in memory of Mr. Lyngen, an architect. Preference is given to students in architecture, landscape architecture, design and related fields, or in Norwegian studies, including those of a sporting or athletic nature.
4. Erik Unheim Memorial Bursary: Erik was one of the key organizers for the original purchase of the Scandinavian Cultural Centre from the Norwegian Government in 1996. He was the first President of Norwegian House Society. Erik was a tireless supporter of the Norwegian House Society and a very active member of the Scandinavian Business Club.  In awarding this bursary preference will be given to a student who is pursuing a course of study in business, economics or finance.
5. The Norwegian House Society (NHS) Memorial Bursary: This bursary was created to remember all the NHS members who have died over the past year. With this bursary, preference will be given to a student who has shown a strong interest in Norwegian heritage and the Norwegian language.  The student would also have to display an active volunteer presence in the community and preference would be given to those applicants who have been active in the NHS or other Norwegian groups. Mature students would qualify for this bursary and it would be available for any level of study including graduate studies.
6. The Olaf “Hall” Leiren Memorial Bursary: This bursary is in honour of a renowned journalist and public servant who had a strong interest in Nordic culture. Preference will be given to a student who is pursuing a course in the Humanities, particularly in areas of study that reflect Hall’s own lifelong interests: History, English, Journalism, International Relations, Languages, Public Affairs or Nordic studies. He would also want to encourage any young person considering a career or pursuits related to the sea, as his earliest years were spent on the fjords and ocean with his father, uncles and cousins. He encouraged active participation in sports, with two of his favourites being skiing & tennis.
7. The Chester and Patricia Hansen Memorial Bursary: This bursary is in honour of Chester and Patricia Hansen, a couple who were active in the Norwegian community. Chester was a well-regarded fisher and Patricia was an exemplary primary school teacher.  In awarding this bursary, preference will be given to a student pursuing a career in either Elementary Education or Fisheries and Oceans.  The student must be entering either their third (3rd) or fourth (4) year of study at a recognized university of college.  In addition, active community involvement by the applicant will be viewed with favour.
8. The Sjur, Martine and Reidun Seim Bursary: This award was established by a member of B.C.’s Norwegian community to support students who plan to pursue careers in early childhood education, elementary education, nursing, or the trades. Preference will be given to students nearing completion of their program (i.e., who have completed half or more of their studies). Recognizing the variety of training programs available and their various lengths and requirements, applicants are encouraged to explain how they meet this criterion.
9. The Marian Snowball Memorial Bursary: This award was created to recognize a very active member of Norwegian House Society as well as an avid supporter of anything Nordic. Therefore the bursary winner must be registered to attend school in Norway in some fashion, whether that be:

• Folk High School
• Oslo International Summer School
• Norwegian University
• Exchange semester in Norway (high school or university)

Ultimately the goal of this is to encourage students to actively gain experience living in Norway and immersing themselves in the culture there.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION

Send applications to the NHS Scholarship Committee at norwegian.house.society@mx-can.keela.co  Applications must be in the form of a single pdf, which includes all required documents. Paper applications will not be accepted. The scholarship committee may request copies of originals, check documents for authenticity, and contact references.  Complete applications must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 26th, 2024.

                                                QUALIFICATIONS (ALL APPLICANTS)

1. All applicants must be enrolled in post-secondary studies at a recognized public educational institution in 2024 – 2025. Studies at a Norwegian folk high school or the University of Oslo International Summer School are also acceptable.
2. Preference will be given to applicants who are members of the Norwegian House Society or have an immediate family member who is a member of the NHS, who are of Norwegian heritage, and/or who have a substantial interest in Norway and Norwegian culture and heritage. Preference will also be given to those who display financial need in pursuit of their post-secondary education.

Please note that there may be changes to the bursaries being offered.  Any changes will be communicated as soon possible by the Bursary Committee.

MANDATORY INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS

1. A covering letter.
2. Full name, date of birth, and citizenship.
3. Home address, mailing address (if different), e-mail address, and telephone number(s).
4. General information: goals, hobbies, interests, community/volunteer work, outdoor and athletic activities, work experience, etc.
5. Evidence of Norwegian heritage, membership in the NHS, relative(s) who are members of the NHS, and active interests in Norway and Norwegian culture and heritage. That may include membership in other Canadian-Norwegian organizations, e.g. Sons of Norway.
6. Name of secondary school attended (transcript required if you graduated fewer than two years ago).
7. Name of institution currently attending (if applicable), with transcript(s).
8. Proof of application or admission for autumn 2024, or in the case of University of Oslo International Summer School, for summer 2024.
9. Budget for the coming year, including scholarships and bursaries.
10. Intended program or course of study for 2024 and beyond.
11. Names and contact information for two references, one of whom must be a teacher or professor.

Applications must be typed, in the form of a single pdf, and include scanned copies of transcripts and proof of admission. Please limit the application (excluding any transcripts and proof of admission) to not more than three pages.

Applicants will be notified by May 8th, 2024 and bursary winners are asked to attend the 17^th mai dinner with a complimentary ticket. Bursaries will be paid to the institution in which successful applicants are enrolled, or the applicant with proof of enrolment, by July 31^st, 2024.

The Selection Committee reserves the right to decline awarding a bursary if there are no suitable applicants for the award.

If you have questions, please call David Moulton at (604) 522-8182. See also https://scancentre.org/norway/

Please do not call the Scandinavian Centre office.