We are excited to announce our ISA scholarship winners for Spring 2024! Congratulations to Sofia, Pranjal, Olivia, and Emily.
From enjoying the delectable, local cuisine in Spain to exploring the castles of England, our scholarship winners share what they’re looking forward to most while abroad. We asked them a few questions to learn more about their stories too!
MEET THE WINNERS
Sofia R.
Home University: University of Pittsburgh
Headed to: Seville, Spain
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? Choosing my study abroad destination was a heartfelt decision rooted in my Spanish heritage, particularly my mother’s family ties to Spain. My profound love for language learning is driven by a desire to solidify my Spanish skills, not only to connect more deeply with my family in Spain but also to enrich my professional journey in cultural anthropology. The decision to challenge myself at the university level by immersing in a new language and culture is a personal and academic aspiration. Having visited Spain multiple times with my mother while growing up, I always felt a longing to belong. It took me a while to reconnect with my Spanish heritage and language roots, and now, embarking on this study abroad journey, I aim to bridge that gap and strengthen my ties with my mother’s family in Spain.
What does this scholarship mean to you?This scholarship holds immense personal significance for me, as it not only represents a tremendous source of gratitude but also alleviates a significant financial burden for my mother, who has been instrumental in supporting my education throughout high school and college. With this support, I can now fully immerse myself in my educational journey in Spain, delving into the rich history of Seville without the weight of financial constraints. Beyond the tangible assistance, this scholarship serves as a powerful affirmation that individuals of color, especially from less privileged communities, are being recognized and supported. It challenges the notion that travel and education abroad are inaccessible to people like me, reaffirming that doors are opening, and opportunities are available for everyone.
What are you most looking forward to? I am most excited about achieving bilingual proficiency during my time abroad, a goal that holds personal significance for me. This journey is not just about learning a language; it’s about building the confidence to fully embrace and claim my Hispanic heritage without hesitation. Alongside this goal, exploring Seville is a dream, especially as my family in Spain has roots tracing back to the Mulsim Empire. I eagerly anticipate immersing myself in the city’s rich architectural and educational history and experiencing firsthand the Muslim Empire’s influence that shaped my family’s cultural background. More than anything, I look forward to wholeheartedly embracing a new culture, soaking in every aspect of this transformative experience.
Pranjal S.
Home University: University of Houston
Headed to: Barcelona, Spain
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? I chose Barcelona, Spain for my study abroad program because it perfectly fit what I was looking for in terms of its stimulating environment, incredible food & architecture, and proximity to the water, giving it fantastic year-round weather. I am interested in energy finance, and though studying abroad is a time to experience culture and cuisine that you would otherwise be unable to get at home, I also wanted to make sure I could immerse myself in topics I was interested in. Spain is a renewable energy leader in Europe and has some of the most onshore wind & solar power; talking to firms and learning about these aspects in class will keep me engaged and learning. I have heard marvels about the fantastic dining options in Spain, the different wines, and especially the seafood; alongside that, it has an architecture that spans styles from Gothic to Modernist to Moorish, and exploring that in person will be a dream come true. Finally, I have spent most of my life in Houston, and though I love it here, living near the large bodies of water, I’ll finally be able to use all the sweaters I’ve piled up.
What does this scholarship mean to you? I have paid for my whole education journey, from my tuition & books to my room & board. I have done so through several summer internships and part-time jobs throughout the school year; however, scholarships like this one allow me to breathe and truly go through my college years, fully experiencing learning, immersing myself in my environment, and picking up hobbies and activities that I won’t be able to do later. I am very thankful to get this scholarship because I can engage in more multicultural activities and spend more time learning what it truly means to be in Barcelona. Many students can’t study abroad because of the cost, and I am very thankful for this scholarship helping me with that obstacle.
What are you most looking forward to? I look forward to learning about the European lifestyle and the Spanish culture. Over the last year, I have been fortunate and able to travel to Singapore and the UAE, and both of those experiences made me reflect not just on the American culture but also on my Indian culture. They gave me a different lens to view policy, economics, and my day-to-day and made me realize how different countries are. Since my first experience abroad last summer, I have been ecstatic to experience other cultures and learn more about what it means to be a global citizen, and working towards that goal is what I’m most excited about.
Olivia K.
Home University: Augustana University
Headed to: London, England
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? I was motivated to pick London as my study abroad location because it is rich in history. As a history major, I love visiting museums, monuments, and other sites that I have only read about. The in-person experience brings the textbooks I’ve read to life!
What does this scholarship mean to you? The Kingston scholarship is important to me because it allows me to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime academic experience without suffering financial anxiety. Without the help of scholarships, this semester in London would not have been possible. I could not be more grateful to Kingston for their generosity.
What are you most looking forward to? I am incredibly excited to visit Windsor Castle on the ISA-led excursion! The Netflix series The Crown is one of my favorite shows. Coming from a relatively young country like the U.S., I do not have the opportunity to see traditional or historical architecture comparable to that of a castle.
Emily E.
Home University: The College of St. Scholastica
Headed to: Salamanca, Spain
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? I chose to study abroad in Spain primarily because I thought it would be a great opportunity to improve my Spanish and learn about the culture. I previously studied abroad in Mexico and wanted to experience a different country and culture that would allow me to continue to study Spanish while also gaining a different perspective.
What does this scholarship mean to you? This scholarship means that I am able to participate in this program without needing to worry so much about how I am going to pay for it. I have always wanted to travel and learn about other cultures and this scholarship and ISA has helped me do that.
What are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to meeting new people, experiencing the typical day to day life in Spain, and exploring new places.
ABOUT ISA’S SCHOLARSHIPS
ISA offers generous scholarships to help make study abroad a reality. No matter your program or term length, we have a variety of merit- or need-based scholarship opportunities for you!
There are also a number of university, local, and national scholarships you may be eligible for. Be sure to check with your Study Abroad and Financial Aid offices to see if they offer any scholarships or additional information.