Scholarship to study abroad

Thanks to a new scholarship program, many UT students will receive financial aid to study abroad.The Center for International Education announced last week that 171 students each received a $500 scholarship to study abroad during Spring Break, mini-term or either academic session during the summer.The scholarship began as an SGA bill in fall 2008. Drew Webb, now a senior in political science, introduced the bill as an SGA senator. With inspiration from 2007-2008 SGA Vice President Anna York, Webb created a bill that would allow for $10 from the Student Activities Fee to go into a CIE scholarship pot.

We had a passion for studying abroad because of what life changing experiences our trips were and we wanted more UT students to have the opportunity to participate in international travel while enrolled at UT, Webb said. It is so exciting to hear that the scholarship has been so successful. Every UT student deserves the opportunity to study abroad, and hopefully this makes it a little bit more feasible for students to do so.Anne Hulse, Center of International Education coordinator, explained that the scholarship has drastically increased the number of students that apply for study abroad programs. On average, the office tries to award the scholarship to about half of the applicants.

This year, the 171 students come from 63 cities in nine states. The scholarship is seen by many in the UT administration as a prime example of the Ready for the World Initiative instituted by past Chancellor Loren Crabtree. It also falls right in line with Chancellor Jimmy Cheek’s goals for the future of the university.It broadens students’ worldview, directly exposes them to different countries and cultures and helps them become more independent and self-reliant in the process, Noah Rost, a programs abroad coordinator in the Center for International Education, said in a press release.Rost explained that any study abroad experience benefits a student’s application to any graduate school, professional program or future job.

Haley Davidson, junior in nursing, received the scholarship for two trips that she plans to take this summer. Davidson plans to travel to Mexico and Spain throughout the summer in order to improve her Spanish education.I am so excited about my trips, Davidson said. “I feel like they are going to be life-changing experiences, and it is so nice to have financial help in order to get me on my way.Students are highly encouraged to find a study abroad experience that they find appealing and apply for the CIE Scholarship. According to a press release, UT offers programs in 54 countries on six continents that range in length from three weeks to an academic year.Hulse is excited about the future of the scholarships and the students that receive them.I am glad that these students decided to apply for the scholarship and study abroad; they will soon realize the benefits, she said.