Charlene Taylor didn't expect her summer vacation to be anything spectacular. In fact, she had planned to spend the break between her sophomore and junior years at Old Dominion taking classes. Instead, Taylor will spend the summer in Atlanta as one of only 20 students nationwide selected to participate in the 1999 Institute for International Public Policy.

An international studies major with a double minor in Japanese studies and Asian studies, Taylor, a Virginia Beach resident, begins her fellowship this summer at Clark Atlanta University's School of International Affairs and Development. She will take six mini-courses and attend seminars on international politics, quantitative methods, international economics, peace/conflict resolutions, U.S. foreign policy and other related areas.

In addition to her course work, Taylor will take part in trips to Washington, D.C., and the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Established by a U.S. Department of Education grant, the Institute for International Public Policy aims to increase the number of minorities in international service careers by offering policy institutes, study abroad, language training, internships, graduate fellow assistance and institutional resource development grants.

The institute is a collaboration between the United Negro College Fund, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

According to Mark Howard Chichester, director of the institute, the four-year program includes participation in summer institutes, internships, study abroad opportunities and graduate study, which begin the summer after the fellow's sophomore year.

Although Taylor has yet to decide on a career, she believes the fellowship program will expose her to many possibilities and opportunities. "I want to study languages, perhaps be an interpreter," she said. "I'm sure the fellowship will help me make some connections and hopefully help me make a career decision."