Poole Students Among those Honored at Chancellor’s Study Abroad Scholarship Reception

Six Poole College of Management undergraduate students were among those attending a recent reception with NC State University Chancellor Randy Woodson. The event recognized students who had received the prestigious top-level Chancellor’s Study Abroad Scholarship in the past year. This scholarship is specially designed to help more students from a variety of underrepresented groups study abroad. Approximately 40 students from across the university are awarded the scholarship each year. To read about the Poole College students, click here. .

In his remarks at the event, Chancellor Woodson reported that scholarship funding is increasing and is having a tremendous impact. At the same time, he said, “study abroad participation and the need for scholarships is growing even faster. We need to do more to ensure that these important experiences are available to all NC State students, regardless of financial need.” Four years ago, 443 students applied for study abroad scholarships. “This year, that number was 1,041,” he said.

Making Study Abroad Affordable

Woodson said he is committed to supporting study abroad experiences for students, and has earmarked funds from the University Greatest Needs Fund for these scholarships. Two levels of support are available:

• Chancellor’s Study Abroad Scholarship: $2,500-$3,500, with outreach and service obligations upon return
• Greatest Needs Scholarship: typically $1,500

“These scholarships are very competitive,” said Seth Parrish, assistant director for assessment at the NC State Study Abroad Office.

“They are awarded at $2,500 for summer and $3,500 for semester students, and are chosen by a committee. Roughly 40 students are chosen per year, so less than 5% of applicants receive them. The primary focus of this scholarship is to help underrepresented students with high financial need. Underrepresented categories include first generation, ethnicity, gender (males), and major.”

“Funding and lower cost programs are available to allow study abroad participation by all students,” said Rob Sandruck, director of the Study Abroad office in the NC State Poole College of Management. Poole College offers several scholarships, including the W. Grant Johnston International Award and the Poole College Study Abroad Scholarship. Students apply through the University Study Abroad Office for these scholarships.

“Scholarships are need-based and students who don’t think they have the financial resources to study abroad should reach out and meet with us,” Sandruck said. Contacts for Poole College’s Global Programs are here.

The Study Abroad Office encourages students to combine scholarship funds, financial aid, personal fundraising and savings, and careful budgeting to help ensure successful participation in an international experience.

The university’s Study Abroad Office website provides information for students, under its “Funding” tab, to help students understand ways to pay for the experience. The Study Abroad Office also holds regularly scheduled information sessions specifically about funding. Check this website for details.

As a partner in the Institute of International Education (IIE) Generation Study Abroad campaign, NC State has committed to raise a minimum of $1 million in endowments to support study abroad scholarships. College-based (college-controlled) funds all count toward the goal.

This initiative was launched in 2014 to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling and diversifying the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. NC State is one of its partner universities.

Application Deadlines

• September 15: Application deadline for a spring 2020 study abroad semester program. View deadlines here.
• September 21: Application deadline for a study abroad scholarship. All the Study Abroad scholarships are managed by the University Study Abroad Office. Read more at the Pack Abroad website.

Poole College Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients, 2018-19

Following are Poole College students who had received a Chancellor’s Study Abroad Scholarship for their international experiences in the 2018-19 academic year. Several commented that these awards helped cover the cost of air fare or made it possible for them to learn more about their host countries by participating in cultural events.

Peter Chege

Poole College, bachelor’s in accounting; College of Humanities and Social Sciences, international studies: ESB Business School at Reutlingen University, Germany, fall 2018.

“One of the most important takeaways from my Study Abroad experience in South Germany is learning resilience,” Chege said in response to an email interview with Poole College communications. Being in a new country helped him become more flexible and to “start working on being a globally competent individual,” he said. The Chancellor’s Scholarship helped to subsidize his living expenses and enabled him to immerse himself in cultural activities, including the annual local fall festival and cooking. Read more about Peter Chege at the Study Abroad website.

Catherine Duble

Poole College bachelor’s in business administration, human resources concentration; College of Humanities and Social Sciences, interpersonal communications

ISA Spain, internship in Valencia (non-NC State), summer 18.“I spent the summer of 2018 working abroad for three months as the human resources Intern at Docendo, an extracurricular activity provider for schools throughout Spain. I was responsible for the entire hiring process for English teachers in 16 locations.  This experience taught me a lot about how different cultures can affect business operations and communication, and spiked my interest in working for an international company. During the weekends, I was able to explore various cities in Europe such as Valencia, Barcelona, Ibiza, Peniscola, Milan, Split, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Paris, and more. This was by far my best experience in all of my college years, and I am so thankful for the NC State Study Abroad Office and the Chancellor’s Scholarship for making my trip possible.” Read more about Catherine Duble at the Study Abroad website.

D’Andre Johnson

Bachelor’s in business administration: Piacenza, Italy: Ethics and Law, summer 2018. Read more about D’Andre Johnson.

Jordan Lunsford

Bachelor’s in business administration: Universidad Pontifica Comillas, Spain, fall 2018.

Bryan Munoz

Bachelor’s in business administration, finance concentration: ESB Business School at Reutlingen University, Germany, summer 2018, studying finance. Read more about Bryan Munoz.

Tarun Salian

Bachelor’s in accounting: Shanghai, China, studying operations and human resource management, summer 2018. Read more about Tarun Salian.

The following Poole College students received a W. Grant Johnston International Business Award from Poole College for study abroad last year:

• Brooke Ewing, bachelor’s, business administration
• Lan Nguyen, bachelor’s, accounting
• Peter Chege, Poole College, bachelor’s in accounting; College of Humanities and Social Sciences, international studies
• Abigail Starnes, bachelor’s and master’s, accounting
• Jordan Lumsford, bachelor’s, finance.