Monday, Oct. 1, 2007
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
Scholarship established for studying abroad in northern Europe
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An anonymous donor has established a scholarship designated for use by Marshall University undergraduate students who will study abroad in northern Europe. Three $1,000 awards are available to help students defray the cost of international travel next year.
“These scholarships will make it possible for students, who may not otherwise have the financial means, to achieve their dream to study abroad,” said Dr. Sarah N. Denman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Marshall.
Marshall University currently offers 134 reciprocal exchange programs in 38 countries, including northern European universities in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden. On a reciprocal exchange program, a student pays tuition and room and board at Marshall and these fees are waived at the host institution; the only additional costs are travel, health insurance and incidental expenses. All scholarships and financial aid can be applied to the program.
According to Dr. Clark Egnor, executive director of the Center for International Programs, Marshall’s exchange programs in northern Europe offer a variety of courses, especially in area studies, business, environmental science or the social sciences.
“There are also strong programs in engineering and technology in Denmark, Finland and Sweden,” Egnor said. “And, courses in English are available in most subjects.”
Sonya M. Shafer, a recent graduate of Marshall who studied abroad at Rovaniemi Polytechni in Finland, said the program there was excellent.
“I loved it,” Shafer said. “The program was in English, the university had state-of-the-art technology, and I had the opportunity to travel all over Europe.”
A student interested in applying for one of the scholarships should be a full-time, undergraduate student in his/her sophomore year or higher who is applying to, or has been accepted into, a Marshall University study abroad program at one of the northern European universities.
Applicants must submit a statement of purpose essay (1-2 pages) describing the reason behind his/her choice of program and the impact that it will have academically, professionally and personally. Applications should be made in the academic term prior to the start date of the study abroad program: by Oct. 15 for the spring term and April 15 for fall and summer terms.
More information about studying abroad can be obtained from the MU Office of Study Abroad Web site at http://www.marshall.edu/cip/studyabroad/, or by visiting the Center for International Program’s Office of Study Abroad in Old Main 320.
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