Meet Our 2026 Fall Scholarship Winners

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I chose Korea because of the language. I have always wanted to learn a language with a different alphabet. Not only does it sound cool, but it's super fun to learn, as well. 

What are you most looking forward to?

The food and the nature. Seoul is mostly known for being technologically advanced, but I've heard the national parks are out of this world. Not to mention authentic Korean barbecue.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I chose Greece because it sits at the crossroads of history, culture, and faith. As a Christian with a deep interest in historical development, I was especially drawn to Greece’s role as one of Christianity's great centers. From the journeys of St. Paul to the rich traditions that continue to shape Greek life today, the country offers a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the places and culture that have influenced Christian civilization for centuries. At the same time, Greece’s contributions to philosophy, politics, and the arts make it an incredible place to study and grow both academically and personally.

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means far more than financial assistance. It represents an investment in my education and a vote of confidence in my goals. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and receiving this scholarship helps make that opportunity more accessible. It reminds me that there are people and organizations who believe in the value of global education and in students who seek to broaden their horizons.

What are you most looking forward to?

More than anything, I’m looking forward to the people I’ll meet and the experiences. Whether it’s exploring ancient sites, navigating everyday life in a new country, or sharing meals and conversations with people from a different background, I’m excited to learn beyond the classroom. I hope to return with a deeper understanding of the world, new friendships, and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I picked Florence, Italy, as my study abroad destination because of its importance to art history. I am an art student, so going to Italy to study at an art university, FUA, is a dream. Many of the world’s most famous and significant artworks are housed in Florence and the surrounding Italian regions, meaning that it is the perfect place for me to further my education in the arts. 

What does your scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship means that there are people who believe in me enough to help fund my dream. There were many people applying for the same opportunity, so being chosen signifies that I am doing everything that I should be for my future, and that is visible to others. This means that people see the effort I am putting in to achieve my dreams and care about my story enough to help me pursue them. 

What are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to seeing artworks in person that I have seen in textbooks. Seeing images of famous works is incredible, but being able to see them right in front of me is a whole new perspective. I will get the opportunity to be in the presence of works made by some of the most successful people in the art world, so I hope that the experience helps improve my skills and pushes me towards success.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

Granada hits a sweet spot between being big enough to offer opportunity and small enough to feel personal. After hearing accounts from other peers who had the chance to visit and feel at home, I felt it was the best fit for me. 

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means flexibility; it's given me the freedom to experience Granada without constantly worrying about how I am going to cover a certain cost or section of the program. Having this support means everything to me.

What are you most looking forward to?

This experience really goes beyond classroom learning for me. This is a chance to experience adulthood in a completely unique environment with new people and places. I am looking forward to every part of it, but especially making new friends. 

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I chose Australia, and specifically James Cook University, for the opportunity to fully dive into the world of marine ecosystems. With access to the Great Barrier Reef and the availability of hands-on, meaningful research, I truly felt that this destination would further my journey as a marine conservationist. 

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship gives me the opportunity of a lifetime! By immersing myself in the culture, studies, and lifestyles of Australia, I am able to learn incomparable information about marine science, marine policies, and even myself. 

What are you most looking forward to?

I am the most excited for all of the experiences to come! The completely new world and all of the amazing activities I am preparing for, like scuba diving in the reefs, and exploring all that Australia has to offer. I am excited for the new challenges that will present themselves and to return back home as a changed and more evolved version of myself. 

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

Worldstrides' Sustainability and Community Studies program in Cusco really stood out from other programs not only for its placement in the heart of the Andes, but also for the broad selection of courses offered! When I began looking, I knew I wanted a program in Latin America that would offer courses that aligned with my majors in Spanish and Multi-Ethnic Studies, and WorldStrides delivered on that and more! 

In addition to a wide variety of Spanish-taught courses, the Cusco program offers an introductory Quechua course, various courses focused on Peruvian culture, politics, identity and history, and standout sustainability courses such as Water Stewardship and Traditional Agriculture. I also thought it would be really amazing to explore cultural studies at the birthplace of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world! 

What does your scholarship mean to you?

To me, receiving this scholarship is an affirmation of the importance of my academic path in Ethnic Studies, at a time when many similar programs are facing administrative scrutiny and resource cuts. I proudly represent the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute for Ethnic Studies, which emerged following the Civil Rights Movement in response to the demands of students of color such as myself to see our lives, stories, histories, and systems of knowledge represented in our schools' curriculum. 

Watching your own program lose resources or funding opportunities, it's easy to begin to worry that there's a cap on how much you can grow as a scholar where you're at. Receiving this scholarship reminds me that there are so many directions to grow in and is reigniting my hope and ambition for my academic goals in cultural and language studies. I am SO grateful and excited to be in Cusco, and hope that I will be able to return to my home school's program with renewed energy and perhaps a dream for ways in which we can grow.

What are you most looking forward to?

I am most excited for full language immersion. While at UNL, I take Spanish classes, but I rarely have the opportunity to practice my speaking skills at home! As I'll be staying with a host family, I think it will be really interesting to see the ways in which speaking Spanish functions differently in a domestic environment! I also think it will be amazing to study alongside students from around the world, and to hear about their lives and educations in their places of study. I'm looking forward to beautiful hikes, beautiful textiles, and delicious food. 

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I've always wanted to experience Italy's rich history, art, and culture. Florence stood out to me because it offers the perfect combination of academic opportunities and the chance to experience a new culture, and I knew it would be a place where I could grow. 

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means so much to me because it helps make studying abroad possible. As a first-generation college student, it eases the financial burden and allows me to focus on making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm truly grateful for this opportunity. 

What are you most looking forward to?

I'm most looking forward to experiencing everyday life in Florence, meeting new people, trying new foods, and exploring Italy's history and culture. I'm excited to step outside my comfort zone and create memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life while shaping the person I become.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

When I was growing up, I had close friendships with individuals who shared their Korean heritage with me. Because of them, I was introduced to Korean traditions, cuisine, music, etc. Their pride in their culture and the beauty of Korea they described created this spark of genuine curiosity in me. I chose to study in Seoul because I want to experience the culture firsthand rather than only learning about it from afar.

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means a lot to me because it allows me to fully immerse myself in new experiences and adventures while abroad without worrying about finances. It helps make my dream study abroad experience truly possible.

What are you most looking forward to?

I’m most looking forward to trying a wide variety of new foods and learning about people’s cultures and lifestyles in Korea, especially how they differ from my own.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I explored several study abroad options, including Spain and Australia, but Italy quickly rose to the top of my list. The program's curriculum aligns closely with my interests in multimedia journalism, and the opportunity to study in a country with such a rich history, culture, and tradition of storytelling was especially appealing. It felt like the perfect combination of academic opportunity and personal growth.

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means having the chance to step outside my everyday perspective and learn from the world firsthand. As a multimedia journalism student, studying in Italy is an opportunity to experience a new culture, meet people with different backgrounds, and develop the curiosity and adaptability that good storytelling requires. It's helping turn an educational goal into a real experience that will shape both my work and my future.

What are you most looking forward to?

I'm most looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing a different culture firsthand. As a journalism student, I’m excited to learn from the stories, perspectives, and experiences of the people I encounter while exploring Italy. I'm also eager to discover new places, embrace unfamiliar experiences, and, naturally, enjoy some incredible Italian food.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

I've always wanted to experience a place that's completely different from home, and Paris felt like the perfect fit. As a marketing student, there's so much to learn from a city that's known for luxury brands, fashion, design, and global business. I've always wanted to challenge myself by living somewhere new, meeting people from around the world, and experiencing everyday life in a new environment.

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means so much to me because it helps make studying abroad possible. I've worked hard throughout college, and this opportunity is something I've been looking forward to for a long time. It's an investment in my education, my future career, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I'll carry with me long after I return home.

What are you most looking forward to?

I'm most excited to experience Paris beyond the typical tourist attractions. I want to explore the culture, meet new people, and see how marketing and business operate in a global setting. At the same time, I'm looking forward to becoming more independent, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and making memories that will shape both my personal life and my future career.

What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination?

Madrid has always been at the top of my travel bucket list, so I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity to study there and be fully immersed in the culture! Madrid just seems to offer the best of both worlds in Spain, combining a rich historical and cultural heritage with the opportunities and energy of a modern, vibrant city. I can’t wait to see what all it has to offer!

What does your scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship means a great deal to me, as it helps make my study abroad experience possible. Not only does it provide financial support, but it also represents an investment in my future. It really motivates me to continue working hard and make the most of this opportunity!

What are you most looking forward to?

I’m most looking forward to immersing myself in Spanish culture and gaining new perspectives through interactions with people from different backgrounds. I am excited to explore Spain and other parts of Europe. It is also a must that I get to some soccer games!