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Four distinguished ���ϲ����� undergraduate students are receiving $1,000 scholarships toward their spring study abroad travels to London, Paris, and Costa Rica. Samuel Harp, Hannah Schadler, Samantha Mager, and Josephine Thomas participated in an essay contest that earned them funding for their exciting journeys.

The students will soon embark on journeys to visit countries across the globe. One study abroad opportunity consists of an eight-day trip to London, England, and Paris, France. Students on this trip will be accompanied by communications professor Dr. Jay Bourne.

While the time abroad may seem brief, the course and its meticulously planned itinerary promise a rich and diverse experience. Stops include Buckingham Palace, the Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, and Oxford, among others. Students will explore the intersections of history, culture, and debate, gaining fresh perspectives that differ from their own.

Scholarship recipient Hannah Schadler will be traveling to England and France. She has a deep interest in travel and chose this trip due to Europe's historical connections with the U.S.

"Europe has always been really interesting to me. We are tied together historically but have developed distinct cultures," she explained. "It's easy to get wrapped up in our own culture and miss out on what is happening in the world around us. I am looking forward to experiencing new cultures and learning from them," she added.

Scholarship recipient Josephine Thomas will be traveling alongside Hannah. “I have never been out of the country before and have always dreamed of visiting far-off places,” Josephine shared.

Dr. Bourne's course was the perfect opportunity for Josephine to act on her dreams while furthering her studies.

"As an artist, it is important to me that I absorb as much of the world as possible. I took this chance to gain inspiration and experience other cultures and ways of thinking. Traveling to other places and meeting people different from you is a crucial aspect of growing up. It challenges concepts you might have thought completely normal and introduces beliefs you may have never considered," she said.

Though Josephine is eager to take part in the study abroad program, she was not always confident she could go.

"I was worried about applying because, well, I am not exactly rich. However, traveling abroad is a chance we are never guaranteed. This scholarship funding means the world to me because I largely rely on scholarships and work to pay for college," Josephine explained.

Josephine also admitted she had once worried she was missing out on certain opportunities by not attending the same colleges as some of her friends. "But I am happy to say I have been proven wrong more than once, and this trip is certainly on the list of unexpected, life-altering moments! From the bottom of my heart, bless everyone who helped make this happen!"

���ϲ�����' Study Abroad program has awarded more scholarships this spring than ever before, thanks to generous donor contributions in 2024. Over 90% of UC study abroad students have received funding, and nearly 70% will be traveling at no cost to them.

"There's simply been no better time to travel with UC Study Abroad than right now. I'm beyond excited for these UC world travelers going to Costa Rica or London and Paris this spring with their UC professors and classmates," reflects UC Study Abroad Director Julie Deyrup. "They'll be learning about their future professions through direct global immersion. These cultural experiences will bring them continual gifts throughout their lives. I'm so glad we can help more of our students see the world!"

To learn more about study abroad opportunities at ���ϲ�����, visit here.