ISEP has announced the seven recipients of the Annette Kade Scholarship for fall 2021 and academic year 2021-22 programs. These ISEP students will study at French or German speaking ISEP Member Institutions.
The Annette Kade Scholarships are awarded twice annually to students from ISEP Member Institutions across the U.S. Through an essay-based application and endorsement from their home institutions, Annette Kade Scholars are awarded scholarships based on their demonstrated financial need and determination to advance their language-learning skills while immersed in an academic setting.
“The Annette Kade Scholarships is a long-term commitment for ISEP, and we’re honored to administer these awards each year – supporting our value of language learning as well as our mission to expand access and affordability across study abroad programs,” said John Lucas, ISEP President and CEO.
A grant from the Annette Kade Fund provides support for the scholarships which this year ranged between US$1,250 and US$3,000 per award. Since 2002, more than 475 ISEP students have received an Annette Kade Scholarship.
Annette Kade Scholars for Fall 2021 and Academic Year 2021-22
Hope Hecht from Northern Arizona University will study abroad at L'Université de Aix-Marseille in France.
“When learning French at my Southern California high school, I was immediately drawn to the language and I knew I wanted to pursue it in higher education. I took French for three years, and a refresher course during summer at my local community college before I entered Northern Arizona University for my Bachelor’s. I followed my passion and decided to major in Modern Languages and Cultures, emphasis French, with a minor in English. I am thrilled to attend l’Université d’Aix-Marseille in the autumn. I will hopefully improve my skills, be immersed in culture, and explore the country I have spent years learning about. I am looking forward to taking a literature course where I can make comparisons between French and American works. I plan to use my experience abroad during graduate school, where I hope to get a Masters in French.”
Grace Friedham from Appalachian State University will study abroad at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz in Austria for a full year.
“I chose to study German because of the toy Playmobil. As a kid, I played with Playmobil all the time; when I learned the toys were German, I became determined to speak the language. As I got older and continued to study German, I was fascinated by the history and culture attached to it. As a Global Studies major, I seek to learn from different perspectives. During this time I will be able to expand my horizons and explore life outside of my world, as well as strengthen my language skills. At my home university, Appalachian State University, I am also pursuing a German minor. Living in Austria, I will be able to truly immerse myself in the language and culture, which will be indispensable to me post-graduation, as I intend to work abroad and wish to have the necessary knowledge and skills to express myself to my fullest extent.”
Carly Naundorff from Eckerd College will study abroad at Universität Bern in Switzerland.
I am from a small town in the Pocono Mountains, a woodsy region in Pennsylvania characterized by hiking trails and waterfalls. When I was growing up, I spent most of my time outside researching the native wildlife or online exploring cheap ways to travel abroad. This is what led me to find Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida - a small liberal arts school known for their biology, environmental studies, and international programs. After three full years and one more to go, I will be graduating in May of 2022 with a B.A. in Biology and a B.A. in Environmental Studies. When I go abroad this fall, I will be taking part in a German Language Integration course before the semester and German semester course alongside an environmental studies, biology, and sustainability focused curriculum. In Switzerland, I will be able to continue my studies with an entirely new perspective all while enjoying the scenic views, hiking new trails, speaking a new language, creating new friendships, enjoying all of the chocolate, and appreciating all that Bern has to offer. With the help of the French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship, I hope to strengthen both my German and French communication skills in hopes of fully immersing myself into my new home in Switzerland.
Alexis Rice from Butler University will study abroad at Université de Lille in France.
“For years my dream has been to travel and learn another language. While in high school I took a few years of French but when I got to college I realized that I could finally further my ability in speaking French. Studying abroad in France this fall is a dream come true for me in many ways. The biggest way is because I know that this opportunity will help me become more comfortable speaking French while also being immersed in the incredible culture France has to offer. I will be a junior at my home university, Butler University, this fall and will be continuing my degree in secondary math education with a minor in French. At my host university, Université de Lille, I will be taking quite a variety of classes in French, math, and the arts. I am very excited to begin my studies and time in France this fall because my hope after graduation is to become an international teacher hopefully settling somewhere in a Francophone country.”
Karen Seaver from Agnes Scott College will study abroad at Universität Bielefeld in Germany for a full year.
"When I started taking German on a whim in my freshman year of high school, I never expected that I would be where I am today. However, German quickly changed from a graduation requirement to something that I couldn’t imagine my life without. At Agnes Scott College, my home institution, I am a German Studies major and Educational Studies minor. I am just finishing up my sixth year of studying German and I am excited to be able to fully immerse myself in my seventh this year at Universität Bielefeld. While my main priority will be becoming more fluent in my use of German, I am also hoping to take some of their education courses that will offer a different perspective on learning, which I am certain will help me reach my goal of becoming a German teacher and spreading my passion for the language to future generations of students.”
Nelli Vardanyan from Lake Forest College will study abroad at Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA Lyon) in France.
“I am from Armenia, small country on the crossroad between Europe and Asia. I double major in Data Science and Finance at Lake Forest College. Currently I speak five languages and each language opens new door to new culture and experiences that enhance my life. French is one of the languages I want to further master because I believe it gives me access to the world. Why? French is the international language of rich culture: cuisine, fashion, theatre, arts, dance and architecture. What is there to decide? Thus, my study abroad at Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon will allow me to immerse myself in unfamiliar culture to gain deeper understanding of myself and those around me. Furthermore, I will get the privilege to strengthen my relationship with the language and culture by going “behind the scenes”. Leaving the familiar behind and plunging into the unknown excites me; it helps me learn about the world in a way books can never reveal.”
Alexandra Zengel from Loyola University will study abroad at Université de Fribourg in Switzerland for a full year.
“Growing up, I was immersed in different languages due to my family and education. English i s of course my native l anguage, as I was born and raised i n New Orleans, Louisiana, but I attended a French elementary and middle public school. I t was a school run by t he French and New Orleanian governments i n t andem, allowing me t o receive my education completely i n French. My mother was very deliberate i n choosing an i nternational education f or me and my siblings because she received an American education during her youth growing up i n Germany, Brazil, and Paraguay. Her i nfluence on my l ife has pushed me t o pursue proficiency i n German (her native l anguage) as well as French and as many other l anguages as possible. Practicing and expanding my l anguage ability are my biggest goals while abroad, with t he hopes of being able t o add Spanish t o my repertoire as well.”
About the Annette Kade Scholarship
With the generous support of The Annette Kade Fund, ISEP offers these scholarships to students at U.S. ISEP Member Institutions who plan to study French or German while abroad. Awards are made following a review of applications that focus on language learning and demonstrated financial need to study abroad. Applications include essays and an endorsement from the applicant’s home institution.
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