ISEP is thrilled to congratulate the recipients of our ISEP Community Scholarship and ISEP Founders Fellowship award. These scholarships assist students from ISEP Member Institutions with a demonstrated financial need in making their goals to study abroad a reality. The awards support our mission to extend access and affordability of study abroad by encouraging applications from students who are statistically underrepresented in study abroad. Each ISEP Community Scholarship awardee will receive US$500, and the ISEP Founders Fellow will receive US$2,500 to use while studying abroad with ISEP next semester.
Continue reading to get to know some of our students and their amazing stories. Learn more about ISEP Scholarships and how you can donate to the ISEP Scholarships Fund to give the gift of international education and a life-changing experience.
ISEP Founders Fellowship Award Recipient
Applicants submitted creative projects emphasizing the value of language learning in study abroad.
Daniela Silva from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) will study at Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz in Austria.
I am a chemical engineering student who loves to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone, whether that means learning a new discipline or language, or working in extra-curricular projects. I chose to pursue a STEM related degree because I am passionate about science and processes, but also because I believe that through this profession I can contribute in the transition towards more sustainable practices on an industrial scale. My home institution is ITESO, where the sense of environmental and social responsibility is encouraged in every step of our academic education. My native language is Spanish, but I am also an English speaker and a French and German language learner. Through this exchange program in Austria I intend to strengthen my communication skills in German and to complement my academic curriculum through the enrollment in engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, and business-related courses.
ISEP Community Scholarship Award Recipients
These awards of US$500 will be used toward study abroad programs next semester (Northern Hemisphere Spring 2021). Students may defer their award to a later term if their program is suspended for spring 2021.
Madeline Butler from University of Chester in the U.K. will study at Truman State University in the U.S.
I have been studying history for years. Ever since I was eleven, I have had a fascination with this subject, I picked History for my GCSE’s, my A Levels and now I am studying it for my university degree. I have chosen to study history for an academic year abroad in America because I believe that it will give me a more rounded and experienced understanding of History, compared to having a solely English education. My family has never really had the means, time or financial resources to travel far and this study abroad is going to be an amazing opportunity for me, helped by the ISEP scholarship I’ve been awarded. While in America I plan to fully immerse myself in the culture and be able to return home with a more versatile and open mind. Many have asked what I plan to do with my History degree, and although I am not entirely sure I know that this opportunity abroad will help open many more doors for me after University.
Lauren Caulder from Valdosta State University in the U.S. will study at Malta University.
I grew up in a small town in South Georgia called Thomasville. In high school, my best friend was a foreign exchange student. She would talk about the culture and the world outside of my little town and with every word I desired nothing more than to see it first-hand. I got accepted to go to Malta and while I am abroad, I will be studying the arts and public relations. Every day, I have been daydreaming about the culture and people I will get to meet all around the world when I arrive. I can study, not just one other language, but multiple. Malta University is an English-speaking school, but with students from all over the world and Maltese is a combination of Arabic and Italian. The idea of all the heritage and sociology that will come with my studies astounds me.
Laura Lahoz from Universitat Rovira I Virgili in Spain will study at of Northern Arizona University in the U.S.
English has always been an important part of me, even though my native languages are Spanish and Catalan. When I was a child, I wanted to learn English to be able to understand the full meaning of every single word of the songs I used to listen to and the series I watched. That’s why I started taking extra classes outside my school. While I am abroad at Northern Arizona University, I will practice and improve my speaking skills, not only in classes also in daily situations. At my home university, my major is Journalism, Publicity, and Public Relations. After I graduate, I want to do a Master’s degree in International Journalism. As a future correspondent, I cannot see a better opportunity than studying abroad in another country and being able to learn about their culture and values. Arizona has an amazing atmosphere full of different people and ethnic groups.
Na Jin from Ewha Womans University in South Korea will study at University of Turku in Finland.
From a very young age, I have been interested in how businesses operate in our daily life. When I was in primary school, my parents ran a trading company specializing in Korean and Chinese textiles. One day my dad gave me a gift that opened up my world: a beautiful dress which was made in South Korea. I was surprised by its rich bright colors and textured fabrics when compared with those made in China. I was curious about the person who delivered the dress all the way from South Korea to my hands. Since then, I had dreamt to be the one who was able to make our lives colorful.
My mother used to encourage me to build a bridge between the textile industry of China and Korea. Her words inspired me to work hard towards my dream university. With my mother’s blessing, I was lucky to enter Shaoxing University which was famous for textile engineering. The university dates back to 1909, when Mr. Lu Xun，once served as principal here. The well-designed courses drew my great interest in textile industry.
In order to expand my vision, I continued my study in Ewha Woman’s University for my Master’s degree in International Trade & Investment with a minor in International Business at the Ewha Women’s University. As a Chinese student who lives and studies in South Korea with full English education, my life is always full of challenges and enthusiasm. I enjoy putting myself out of my comfort zone as well as expanding my knowledge, skill, and life experiences.
I am planning to go to European countries to experience another different authentic local culture. More importantly, I want to keep pace with cutting-edge business models and understand the overall international business environment. My host University, the University of Turku has a good reputation across the globe with well-designed courses world-class teaching faculty. It offers an opportunity to cultivate the skills and knowledge that are essential for future business leaders by developing practical solutions for companies’ projects. I hope that my unique background will inspire new ideas and enrich the experience of the classmates.
Sydney Osei Tutu from Agnes Scott College in the U.S. will study at Korea University in South Korea.
I am currently majoring in Political Science with a minor in Theatre and a specialization in Global Learning on the Pre-Law track at Agnes Scott College, a small liberal arts school in Georgia. I began learning Korean three years ago in my senior year of high school in an effort to relate with my friends. This mere curiosity grew into a passion that has now led to me attending the prestigious Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. I will be taking a mixture of Political Science, Contemporary Korean Culture, and Korean Language courses which will allow me to connect my interests in policy and law with those in theatre and cultural entertainment. I have always had an affinity for language learning, as I also speak French and Twi, and intend to foster this love as well as improve my listening skills, resulting in a truly unforgettable study abroad experience!
David Ramirez from California State University, San Marcos in the U.S. will study at Toyo University in Japan.
As a Californian, I am surrounded by a range of cultures. By growing up in a bilingual household I can appreciate two different cultures. I have learned how valuable connecting with those around you truly is. I am fluent in English and Spanish. I have started my journey towards Japanese fluency. Starting my studies I have gotten a taste for connecting with a new culture. Unfortunately, native Japanese speakers are practically non-existent outside of Japan. To continue my Japanese language journey I require practice with native speakers. While studying at Toyo University in Tokyo, I will be continuing my Business Administration: Accounting major, and Global Studies minor. The courses at Toyo University will expose me to Japanese business practices and supplement my Japanese language development. I will gain Japanese workplace and cultural experience while interning abroad aiding with my post-graduation goal of working in Japan.
About the Awards
Since its inception in 1979, ISEP has been committed to facilitating increased access to academic and cross-cultural learning opportunities for students through its worldwide membership network of higher education institutions. The ISEP Community Scholarships and the ISEP Founders Fellowship strengthen the core of that integral mission statement by providing students with the resources to overcome financial and academic barriers to study abroad.
ISEP Community Scholarship:
The ISEP Community Scholarship supports our mission of extending access and affordability of study abroad.
Recipients of this award are chosen by members of the ISEP community and selection is based upon their responses to prompts for a financial statement of need and a personal essay.
ISEP Founders Fellowship:
ISEP Founders Fellows demonstrate a passion for language learning while studying abroad. This individual is dedicated to learning and improving their ability to speak, read and understand another language.
Founders Fellows believe living, studying and engaging in another culture will inform and broaden their perspectives, which will allow them to have an even greater understanding of the language they are learning.
ISEP extends a warm congratulations to all award recipients!
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