Rizer first learned of this program while earning his bachelor's in political science from the U.S. Air Force Academy. I had an instructor who had won the scholarship and he recommended it. Unlike other foreign study programs, the Olmsted program focuses on interaction with the host nation's society versus its military. The goal is to totally immerse the individual in another culture and develop a broader view of Europe, get a broader perspective on how we're doing as a nation, and see where we can improve. Only nine scholarships are presented during a given school year, three each for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Candidates submit a dream sheet of nine universities around the world.
If selected, the recipient then chooses from a list whittled down by the Olmsted Foundation to reflect these desires. Rizer picked Stockholm from a list that included Slovenia, East Berlin and Costa Rica. Rizer chose Sweden mainly because his and his wife's ancestors came from there, and it will give them an opportunity to study their heritage while honing his political science expertise. The captain also has an academic reason for studying in this country. I want to learn what I can about Sweden's social welfare system.