ISEP is thrilled to congratulate the recipients of our scholarships. These scholarships assist students from ISEP Member Institutions with a demonstrated financial need in making their goals to study abroad a reality. The awards support our mission to extend access and affordability of study abroad by encouraging applications from students who are statistically underrepresented in study abroad.
Continue reading to get to know some of our students and their amazing stories. Learn more about ISEP Scholarships and how you can donate to the ISEP Scholarships Fund to give the gift of international education and a life-changing experience.
ISEP Accessibility Scholarship Recipients
The ISEP Accessibility Scholarship is designed to assist students placed in an ISEP program who do not have sufficient funds to cover the upfront costs of studying abroad.
Gaeun Lee from University of Seoul will study at Queens University of Charlotte in the U.S.
I am currently a student majoring in Urban Administration at the University of Seoul, where I delve into various disciplines such as urban studies, administration, real estate, and data analysis—all essential components of urban administration. While what I am learning has been crucial for a better understanding of the city, I sense there is still more to discover. In my view, the missing piece lies in acquiring proficiency in foreign languages and integrating with other disciplines. To truly comprehend cities, I believe it is important not only to be familiar with my own surroundings but also to explore and study different cities. The United States, as a melting pot of diverse cultures and the birthplace of various urban planning theories, is a destination I am eager to explore. Additionally, Queens University of Charlotte, where I will be studying, offers a variety of courses not available at my home university. Among these, I plan to take classes related to media and communication, recognizing the vital role communication plays in urban environments. I am confident that through experiences not available in Korea, I will broaden my insights. Armed with these skills and experiences, I aspire to become an urban expert.
Hui Cheng Yang
I am a student who has a deep passion for Japanese culture and language. Ever since I entered university to major in Japanese studies, I have been enthusiastic about delving into the language and culture of this country. Academically, I have been dedicated to improving my Japanese language skills and striving to understand Japanese literature, history, and society. This kind of learning has not only immersed me in this vibrant world but has also ignited a greater desire to explore Japan further.
To enrich my university experience, I joined the departmental student association and volunteered to be a tutor for Japanese exchange students. These involvements allowed me to build strong friendships with like-minded peers, enriching not only my university journey but also helping me develop teamwork and leadership skills.
I believe that studying abroad will be a significant milestone in both my personal and academic journey, and it will lay a solid foundation for my future career development. I eagerly anticipate this opportunity and will do everything in my power to prepare myself for realizing this dream.
Jayden Willis from East Carolina University will study at University of the Ryukyus in Japan.
I am Jayden Willis, my native language is English and over the past 2 years I have been studying Japanese in preparation for my future ambitions. I am currently a student at East Carolina University but will be studying abroad in the spring of 2024 in Okinawa, Japan. I plan on taking multiple classes regarding Japanese and Okinawan history so I can learn as much as I can about their culture and background.
I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina in a family of four with my mother, father, and older brother. Growing up I tended to watch anime and play video games in my spare time. I was fascinated with the stories and characters in the games I played and anime I watched. When I reached middle school and gained access to the internet I went on a long search to find information regarding anime and its origin.
It was here that I started to fall in love with animation and the storytelling within it. I never really knew what I wanted to do as a career, I struggled to find a passion to pursue. However, during my junior year of high school I started to draw. I wanted to emulate the illustrations and animation I saw when I watched anime. I kept drawing and drawing repeatedly until I came up with the idea to try to give meaning to them.
I was always praised for my skills as a writer by my English teachers. They applauded my ability to be able to come up with unique ideas and stories. So I combined both my art and stories together to create and bring forth my own unique illustrated stories. Japan was a country I was always fascinated by and wanted to go to. Now, after learning Japanese for two years I am preparing to study abroad in Japan for 5 months in the spring.
Rhita Belrhazi from Université d'Angers will study at New Jersey Institute of Technology in the U.S.
I am a Moroccan student and I left my country on my own when I was 17 to pursue my college education at the University of Angers in France. This experience took me far beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to get to know myself on so many levels! I am convinced that studying at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in the United states thanks to the ISEP exchange Program will not only offer me a unique academic opportunity but also a chance to immerse myself in a new culture, connect with new people, and foster personal growth! When it comes to my studies, I am currently working towards my Master’s degree in management and international trade. I am proficient in French, Arabic and English and I am learning Spanish which will help in my field but also allow me to connect with people from different horizons.
ISEP Africa for All Scholarship Recipients
The ISEP Africa for All Scholarship is intended to make these programs more inclusive and accessible to students attending HBCUs and heritage-seeking students.
Allijah Pickett
My name is Allijah Pickett. I am a first-generation college student. No one in my family
has every traveled out of the United States. As the oldest child to my brothers and oldest cousin
in my family I want to inspire them that so much is possible when you set your mind to it. This
study aboard experience provides the opportunity for me to emerge in another culture other than
my own. It will also provide me with a firsthand look at the world through another culture’s eyes.
I will share this experience with my family and peers and take it into my career. I aspire to be a
Counseling Psychologist and a researcher. I want to evaluate diverse cultures. I want to
understand and bring awareness that all cultures and genders do differentiate in the way they
function in society as well as they are treated in society. By understanding that I want to help
create innovations that will help Minorities receive treatment that is best suited for their needs.
Especially to people who identify as African American and those in the IGBTQIA+ community.
I am also interested in strengthening communities.
ISEP Community Scholarship Award Recipients
These awards of US$500 will be used toward study abroad programs next semester (Northern Hemisphere Spring 2021). Students may defer their award to a later term if their program is suspended for spring 2021.
Ana Buzo Recendiz from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) in Mexico will study at Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig in Germany.
My Name is Ana Paula Buzo. I am currently studying for my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at ITESO University in Guadalajara, Mexico and I will be studying abroad at TU Braunschweig in Germany for a summer semester. I took an interest in this area because of the incredible opportunities and the extensive areas of interest it covers, specifically in the development of sustainable technology for mobility and industry as well as international teamwork. I have always been passionate about learning how things work, from simple machines to cars or airplanes and I keep being amazed in every class I take. Studying abroad has been one of my main goals since the beginning and I intend to make the most out of it by taking courses that focus on sustainable engineering and improving my German skills, which are so necessary due to the importance of the country in the engineering world.
Anneka Hyde from the University of Waikato in New Zealand will study at Vilnius University in Lithuania.
I come from a farming background and grew up in a small rural area in the Far North of New Zealand. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Visual Communication at Waikato University and will be going to Vilnius University in Lithuania for semester. Growing up I always knew I wanted to do a student exchange and had been keeping an eye out since high school, so I eagerly grabbed this opportunity when it came. While overseas I will be taking a selection of creative and thought-provoking papers that are not available at my home University, particularly the Lithuanian Language course. I am excited to live abroad, try new cuisine, travel new places and to be able to learn some Lithuanian while I’m there. I hope this experience will open up more international opportunities in the future for me as a designer and as a student.
Tcherika Petit-Frere will study at American College of Thessaloniki in Greece.
Entering college, as a first-generation college student, I was not only worried about how I would
handle being away from home and my family, but I was concerned about how I would succeed
in college. I couldn’t rely on my family for academic support. Fortunately, I was able to excel in
some of my classes on my own; however, I did face some challenges in certain classes. So,
whenever that happened, I went to group studying sessions with my peers. I found it the most
helpful study tool available to me, and I have continued to use it along with my professor’s office
hours. With the help of academic tools and emotional support from my family, I was able to
accomplish at least a 3.0 GPA and be on the dean’s list every semester at Howard. With my
family’s support and the academic resources available at the school where I’m studying abroad,
the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), I am confident I will achieve my educational goals
and embrace a new culture, language, and history.
Trinity Pride
I was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, while all my siblings were born in Georgia. As the baby of the family, with three older siblings, I always strived to be just like if not better than my siblings. I grew up in a somewhat competitive family, whether it was sports, grades, or even racing to get the front seat. Although we all were pretty involved in sports, my parents always made sure we had our grades in check.
During my high school career, I was involved in several clubs and sports such as track and volleyball where I excelled. However, after graduating with a 4.2 GPA, I began to focus solely on my schoolwork after declaring my major. I originally started my undergrad at a university in Charlotte but was forced to transfer back to the state to continue my education to be more financially stable. As a Junior, I am majoring in Political Science and minoring in Global Studies with plans to graduate a semester early and potentially go into foreign services.
Growing up I have always wanted to travel and study abroad, so I think it’s amazing that ISEP offers this program to students and provides funding to help them. I am excited and blessed to have an opportunity to continue my studies in Chile for a semester and I can’t wait to see what is in store for me!
Veronica Locraft will study at Chukyo University in Japan.
A combination of factors have contributed to why I don’t feel connected to my Bolivian descent.
Growing up in America, being half white, not speaking Spanish, and being racially ambiguous are all
reasons I haven’t fit into one identity. This is why I’ve taken an interest in other cultures like Japanese
culture. A common thought I’ve had is “who will accept me?” After learning self love, I’m looking
forward to exploring cultures for a reason other than looking for acceptance. I’m excited to study at
Chukyo University in Japan because I want to see if there are others that have been through a similar
experience. I get to explore this curiosity particularly because I’ll be studying Family and Human
Development. This feeling of not belonging may be more prevalent in a society that’s more homogenous
than America. Not only would I like to use my studies to understand a multicultural perspective, but to
further my own growth in a society that isn’t exempt from mental illness.
ISEP French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship
With the generous support of The Annette Kade Fund, ISEP awards scholarships to students at Member or Affiliate Institutions in the U.S. who plan to study French or German while abroad. These scholarships are meant to help students to become more involved in their host country’s culture through immersion and interaction. They are especially intended for students who show a sincere desire to learn new languages and have demonstrated financial need.
Amelia Osborne will study at Aix-Marseille Université in France.
I began learning French when I was eleven years old. I always thought the language sounded
beautiful, and I enjoyed writing and speaking in French. As I learned about French culture and
art, I began to dream of traveling to France and becoming fluent in French. In high school, I
learned about studying abroad, and I instantly knew that was my dream. I decided to apply to
study abroad in my junior year and I am so happy to have been accepted into my top choice
study abroad program at Aix-Marseille University. There, I will learn about French language and
culture in a fully immersive program that matches my language level. As a low income student, I
was worried about being able to afford this opportunity, but with the Annette Kade Scholarship I
will have the means to afford to study abroad.
Anna-Marie Stahl will study at Université de Caen
When I was younger, I fell in love with languages. I would randomly look at different languages,
learn a word or two from each, and then move on. Like most kids that have access to the internet,
I explored the world through it watching different tv shows from other countries. As I grew
older, my love for language was put on hold due to taking high school honors courses, AP
courses while trying to get into a good university. With a push to focus, my mother has insisted
on finding a good job so I could be financially stable. This comes from a place of love from my
mother and even from my sister. Finally, I got into university. I began to start learning French
and my love for language grew again. I loved it so much that I turned it into one of my majors,
French-Biology. This ISEP program and scholarship is letting me continue to learn and expand
my French language, and spend a semester in Caen-Normandy.
Blake Pettibone
I was born to a family that had never gone to college nor ever gone far from the country’s
border, however I was always encouraged to travel and explore. As a consequence, traveling
and learning new languages became a lifelong goal of mine, however opportunity was lacking.
That was until I got to college and began learning German. I’d never had a talent for learning
other languages yet German just clicked, and through that I was granted the magnificent
opportunity to go abroad and explore. With this opportunity to immerse myself in the German
language I will grow my fluency, as well as my academic and personal knowledge. Especially
since I will be heading to one of the main birthplaces of modern psychology, which is my major.
The ability to travel to and learn in such a place is a dream come true, and I will take full
advantage of the opportunity.
Diego Falcón Ríos will study at Universität Trier in Germany.
As fundamentally social beings, we humans transfer pure life through our languages. Learning them, therefore, is a way of unlocking tiny new sections of the universe, in the form of the hundreds, thousands, or millions of people you gain the chance of understanding and connecting with on a deeper level. As someone born and raised in Puerto Rico, an island of merely 3 million, this has always been mesmerizing to me, because I’m absolutely certain learning languages can not only improve livelihoods, but also utterly transform lives. In my case, acquiring English opened an entire world of possibilities in my life, and I know that learning German has and will continue this same process. As both a future language teacher and (hopefully!) eventual polyglot, I’m seizing this opportunity to study in Germany at Universität Trier to broaden and deepen my cultural, social, and linguistic knowledge, in any way I can!
Jackson Culver will study at Université Savoie Mont Blanc in France.
From a young age, I have had strong interests in learning about other cultures. I would watch, from my small town in Kentucky, as my dad traveled the world for business and brought back tokens of what he saw. Sparked with this wonder of what is out there to be seen, I have dived into studies of Spanish and French. Finally, I will be stepping away from my daily life to study French at Université Savoie Mont Blanc. I will indulge myself with classes of French culture and language. I will be able to concrete my skills in their beautiful language while immersing myself in their culture. It is my dream to live and work abroad after I graduate, and this is my opportunity to prove I can. By studying at USMB, I will learn how to succeed in a foreign environment and prepare myself for the future to come.
Jackson Ness from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in the U.S. will study at Technische Universität Graz in Austria.
I went to a full immersion Mandarin elementary school, where every lesson was related to and taught in Chinese for all five years of schooling. This exposure has made getting immersed into different cultures and languages a lot of fun for me, and I am excited to experience what Central Europe has to offer. While studying abroad at University of Graz, in Austria, I will be taking German, and will be able to test out the skills I will develop throughout the semester with my friends and family in Germany and Austria. At my home school, University of Nebraska Lincoln I am an Anthropology major with a minor in Archaeology, and in Graz I will be taking all Archaeology related classes. I am incredibly excited to be able to focus on the part of anthropology I am most passionate about, and to learn a language that I will find use for throughout the rest of my life.
Laila Robinson will study at the American Business School of Paris in France.
Originating from Chicago, Illinois, also known as the Windy City, my native language is
English. However, beginning in the 7th grade, I was allowed to select a language of
study from a choice of Spanish, Mandarin, or French. Opting for French, I believed
learning a less common language in the United States would be distinctive.
Consequently, I embarked on my journey of learning French from the 7th grade and
sustained my studies through my third year of undergraduate college. During my studies
in France, I will be majoring in Business Management with a focus on marketing at the
American Business School of Paris, while taking on my French language studies. My
commitment to bilingualism remains unwavering, and I have arranged for a homestay
experience, which will provide an immersive experience of the language and culture. I
look forward to this new journey that awaits me in Paris, France.
Madison Isaacs
I come from a small town in Ohio where everyone thinks, acts, and speaks the same. Learning a
second language has been an eye-opening experience since leaving that small town for college. I
have been studying French for seven years now. I decided to study French because I fell in love
with the culture and the language. I love the art history of French artists. My favorite being
Fragonard “Les hasards heureux de l'escarpolette”. French cuisine, with one of my favorite
dishes being a crêpe. In France, my goal is to be at a C1-C2 level at the end of the program. I
would like to be able to read La Princesse de Clèves and be able to understand it before I leave
my host country! I am most excited to build cultural competence by understanding and
respecting the customs, traditions, and etiquette of my host country.
Mandalynn Walker
I live in North Carolina since 2015, but I am originally from Florida. I have been studying French
since high school and was able to keep progressing when I started college. I will be traveling to
France to finish my minor and immerse myself in the language and culture and utilize it in my
future career. The courses will be focusing on the language so I can improve, while taking an
online political class. Majoring in Politics and International Affairs and having a huge interest in
foreign relations and what the world is like outside the United States is my biggest passion. I
traveled to Barcelona, Spain for a week before I graduated high school, and that experience
opened my eyes to what is beyond the state and country that I live in today. I am very excited
about this experience, of traveling throughout France, understanding the culture and the
language, and visiting the historical places and monuments.
Miles Daley from the University of Vermont in the U.S. will study at Université de Lille in France.
I am originally from the Chicago area and now study at the University Vermont. I have been studying French as a second language since middle school, and my time in college has significantly improved my skills and confidence in the language. Right now, I feel my biggest area of need in the language is more practice, which is why I’m spending a semester abroad at the University of Lille in France. While my major is in Mathematics, while abroad I will mostly be taking courses in French literature, and most courses I take will be in French. This will be my greatest opportunity ever to improve my skills in French and practice the language. This will also be my first time being outside of North America. My semester abroad will help me accomplish my goals in my target language and let me see parts of the world I’ve never seen.
Ojaswi Dhakal
I am an international student in the USA from Nepal. I grew up in Kathmandu, the capital city
where I grew up loving to harbor different hobbies. This included painting, creative writing,
reading books, learning new languages and most importantly, dreaming several dreams. It was
over the pandemic that I discovered the book by Milan Kundera called “The Unbearable
Lightness of Being”. I loved the book, and thought that the pandemic was the perfect excuse to
harbor another dream, learn French so one day I can read my favorite book in the language it
was originally written in.
I manifested my dream of studying abroad in the USA. While studying French now, I get to
pursue my other dream of swimming everyday which brought me to the Beloit Swim Team. It
was here in Beloit, I dreamt of working in marketing and finance, which took me to Milwaukee
for a marketing internship at Corporate America. It was then that I discovered Alliance Francais
where I volunteered during summer break, and was invited as the guest for my first ever radio
show. Life has never been the same, however the only certainty in this uncertainty is dreaming
big and manifesting those dreams for me. I’ve always dreamt of studying abroad in France,
South of France especially because of the Mediterranean, so this scholarship means the world
to me. Water, travel and dreams have become an indispensable part of my life. I love this and
am looking forward to what’s next. :)
Prisca Afantchao from Hampshire College
I am from Windsor, Connecticut and study International Relations and Philosophy at Hampshire College. Although I have been studying French in school for many years and heard it spoken in my Togolese-American household my entire life, I’m not fluent. Studying abroad in the spring of 2024 and committing myself to the immersion of ISEP will be integral to getting past the language acquisition plateau I have reached. Studying abroad will not only help me complete my goal of speaking French fluently, but also allow me to do in-person, hands-on research on the lives of migrants and religious minorities in France, and lastly, reach a new level of independence as I navigate an entire semester far away from my home. While in France I will take courses on French language, migration, and political radicalism. Each class will greatly aid my ability to keep researching international relations with more insight, including new perspectives I wouldn’t hear at my home institution.
Samantha DesLauriers from Montana State University in the U.S. will study at Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Rennes in France.
Being from Montana I have grown up in a rural close knit community that values hard work as
the currency for success. However, there have been circumstances where I have found it
difficult to broaden my horizons in terms of my education, due to my environment. Learning a
second language in highschool was the perfect opportunity to continue learning about the world
around me even while still studying in Montana. At Montana State University I have continued
my language learning pursuits and am currently studying French and Psychology. As any
language learner knows, proximity is imperative to not only understand but embrace the culture,
which is why studying abroad in France is the next step for me. At the Institut d’Etudes
Politiques de Rennes, not only will I continue to grow in the French language, I will also get to
study and explore the area of political science, a passion of mine that I could not study at my
home university.
ISEP Founders Fellowship Award Recipient
Applicants submitted creative projects emphasizing the value of language learning in study abroad.
Eric Davidovich Arendar
When I decided to become an English teacher, I knew I had to pick up a new language. A lot of teachers stopped learning so long ago that they’ve forgotten how hard it is to learn a brand new language. I’ve always been interested in Japanese culture, and the difference in Language families ensured that I wouldn’t be able to just coast along on previous knowledge. In these past five years, I’ve discovered forgotten feelings I first went through when I was learning English; the frustrations of missing vocabulary, confusing grammar, but also the euphoria of finally being able to understand someone speaking, to read a whole text, or to find the mistranslations in subtitles. It took me at least fifteen years to learn English to the level where I am now, but if I’d been able to achieve full immersion my progress would’ve been much faster. My goal in Japan is to study all day, every day, not just in the classroom but outside it through cultural activities and meeting new people, and to bring that newfound knowledge and connections back to Argentina to aid the still very few in number Japanese learners.
JKU Scholarship Recipients
All Students who received this scholarship will be studying in Austria at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
Anna Greenleaf from Virginia Wesleyan University in the U.S.
I have never left the United States, in fact the furthest I have gone is only a four-hour plane ride away from my hometown. However, I have always wanted to go to Europe, as I have heard wonderful stories from my parents from when they were in the U.S. Air Force. I only know English, but I hope with the immersive experience of studying abroad I get to learn conversational German. At my home university, I study Earth and Environmental Science and Chemistry, but our chemistry department is quite smaller than at my host university. While I am in Austria, I plan to take a few interesting electives that I would have no opportunity to learn back home. A goal of mine in studying abroad, besides learning the language and culture, is to grow as a person and make my own unforgettable memories in a place over four thousand miles from home.
Broderick Flynn from University of Vermont in the U.S.
I am from Vermont, a small state in the northeast corner of America. I go to the University of
Vermont and study Finance and Resort and Management. I’m fairly active and my hobbies
include skiing, mountain biking, running, and fly fishing. I want to someday get into sailing and
buy a motorcycle. I am excited to study abroad and live in a new part of the world. I have never
been to Austria before and do not speak any German but am excited to learn! While abroad at
Johannes Kepler University, I plan on taking a few classes related to my major, but also a few
classes about european culture and of course, a german language class. I am excited to be
near the Alps and hope to go skiing while there. While I am excited to be in Linz, I can’t wait for
the opportunities that come from being so close to so many other parts of Europe. I hope to
travel to the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and the South of France in my time there.
Chattameth Pichitdechophat from Tokyo International University in Japan.
In people’s life, attending college has always been a guaranteed way to land a steady employment. University, in my opinion, is also a place where students can learn and experience new things, study abroad, and get exposed to various languages and cultures. Considering that I was born and raised in Thailand, I haven’t had a lot of exposure to different cultures.I’ve had a desire to learn more about the world, culture, and language, which has sparked my curiosity for learning more. One day I encountered European culture—a totally distinct culture and language. It caught my interest, so I began learning German. As an international student majoring in business economics, studying in Austria would provide me with a great opportunity to learn new skills in areas like trading, and machinery. I would also have the chance to experience new cultures and learn new languages, all of which would open up more career opportunities for me and my business.
David Jimenez from Universidad La Salle in Mexico.
I’m David Cambrón a proudly Mexican student who believes that hard work and a great ethic can get
you to places you never thought of. I know how to speak Spanish, English and some French. At the
moment, I’m studying the major of Financial and Economical Engineering with a full scholarship by
academic excellence at my home university, La Salle México. La Salle has brought me opportunities
such as being OnCampus Director of the Hult Prize Foundation, won the first place in TrepCamp
with the StartUp called Biodetect (Which I’m Co-founder), certified myself on Financial Education
and Insurances by CONDUSEF and being involved in social events such as Misiones with the group
Alma Misionera. Being an international student makes me proud because I can meet new people in
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz. Therefore, I’ll give my best on the courses I’m taking abroad.
Fahim Faizy from Goucher College in the U.S.
My name is Fahim Faizy. I am a Junior Communications and media studies major at Goucher
College. I am also a member of the men’s soccer team. I was born in Charlottesville, VA, and
lived there for 18 years before moving to Gainesville, VA, in 2022. My parents are both of
Afghan descent, and my Dad lived in Germany during his childhood all the way to adulthood. I
have many cousins, aunts, and uncles that reside in Bayern. My mother attended the University
of Virginia and studied pre-med. She now works in clinical trials, and my dad now works in
engineering. In addition, my grandpa studied at Ohio State. I also have a little brother that is in
his senior year at Gainesville High School.
I have a passion for media, content creation, and video editing. I enjoy the video creation
process, as well as the marketing aspects of social media. When I study abroad in Austria, I
want to learn marketing strategies, business, and communication skills to further my skill sets in
the field of digital media. I look forward to continuing my family’s legacy of pursuing higher
education by obtaining my degree and learning valuable people skills during my semester
abroad.
Gürkan Kilic from Istanbul Okan University in Turkey.
My name is Gürkan, I am from Turkey. I am currently studying in Istanbul, which connects two
continents, Europe and Asia. I only spoke Turkish until I started to Istanbul Okan University. In the
second year of my bachelor degree in Business Administration, I have decided to study abroad in
Portugal as an exchange student. During my studies in Portugal, I have taken courses in the area of
marketing, finance, accounting and management.I have also taken Portuguese class in order to
navigate my daily life and to familiar with Portuguese and European culture. I had an opportunity to
interact with different cultures and travel many countries in Europe. Now, I am looking forward to
study at Johannes Kepler University Linz(JKU).While I will be studying at JKU, I would like to take
fewer classes in my bachelor major to focus more on German language and culture of Austria.
Julian Stahler from University of Vermont in the U.S.
I am from the small state of Vermont, just below the Canadian border. Part of the New England
region, Vermont is known for its mountains, maple syrup, and fall foliage. I am currently
pursuing a degree in Business AdministraBon at the University of Vermont. Part of my program
includes choosing a “theme” and taking classes that relate to that theme. I chose Global
Business as my theme, and studying abroad at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz is a great
opportunity for me to engage with a wider business community and take classes in that field. I
have always wanted to explore Europe, and living in Austria will be a great chance for me to do
so. As an avid skier and climber, I am keen on exploring the many mountains in and around
Austria. I also am looking forward to exploring Europe’s numerous historical ciBes, and to learn
a bit of German too!
Michele Giambelli from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy.
I am from Ravenna, a seaside city in Emilia Romagna, a northern region of Italy. Four years ago, I moved to Milan to study economics and business management at the “Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore”. Now I am enrolled in a Master of Science in Data Analytics again at UCSC. My native language is Italian; however, since I was a kid, I studied English. Furthermore, during my bachelor’s, I had the opportunity to study Spanish. I really enjoyed learning new languages and improving ones that I already knew. So, I am thrilled to have the possibility to study at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz and improve my language skills. In addition, it is exciting to have the possibility to meet new people all around the world. In fact, I have always been an open-minded person, ready for new adventures. Finally, I am interested in scientific subjects and tech topics. For this reason, I find Kepler University really compatible with my interests and career.
Rosemarie Carter from Truman State University in the U.S.
My name is Rosemarie and I study Mathematics at Truman State University. Truman is a small liberal arts university in Kirksville Missouri, a town near the middle of the USA. It’s also my hometown. Like most small towns in the Midwest, the vast majority of people only speak english. Growing up, my exposure to other languages came from highschool Spanish class and my mom. My mom spoke a bit of Spanish with me when I was learning it and she’s able to speak German as well. One of my goals while abroad is to learn enough German to use it in conversation when I get home. I’m very excited to experience a new language and new culture in day-to-day life.
Sophia Rouse from the University of North Alabama in the U.S.
I am from a very small town in Iowa, in the heart of the Midwest, but now I am at the
University of North Alabama majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and minoring in
Marketing and Spanish. Growing up, my daydreams were filled with faraway places and
people who had stories I wanted to hear. Those daydreams stemmed from stories my parents
shared about their travels around the world and evoked my wanderlust making me eager to
have my own. Now, it is my turn to take on the world. New cultures and ways of life fascinate
me, travel invigorates me, and interactions with strangers everywhere give me a greater sense
of self. America is a melting pot of cultures and traditions from all over the world, so why
can’t I be one too? My passion for new places and new people drove me to apply for ISEP, and
now my best days are ahead of me waiting in the Austrian Alps.
Massey University Scholarship
The Massey University scholarship is intended to give students the opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand who may not have otherwise been able to do so.
Audrey Matheson from Montana State University in the U.S.
In December of 2020 I got accepted to Stirling University in Scotland. At this time the
Covid-19 pandemic was extremely prevalent. Due to the uncertainty, I decided to stay within the
United States and attend Montana State University. I have absolutely loved my experiences
here and now I have a beautiful opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand for a semester! I
am studying Equine Science and am beyond stoked to live and learn in a new country full of
beautiful people and scenery. I grew up in California and had not been out of the country until a
last minute trip to Ecuador two summers ago. I was blessed to be able to visit the breathtaking
country and be immersed within the culture. I am so excited to do the same in New Zealand. My
main goal is to explore myself, my education, and the new culture.
Shelby Borlin from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in the U.S.
I grew up in the state of Illinois in the Midwestern United States, surrounded by vast cornfields,
but I have always been deeply fascinated by nature and hiking in the mountains. At my home
university—Southern Illinois University Carbondale—I am majoring in English with minors in
American Sign Language, Social Justice, Political Science, and Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Ever since I started university, it has been my dream to study abroad in New Zealand. Not only
am I enamored by the magnificent natural landscapes of New Zealand, but the rich culture and
progressive political climate offer an amazing opportunity to enrich my understanding of social
justice and political activism outside the US cultural viewpoints in much of my coursework.
Diverse perspectives are vital to my fields of study, and I am so excited to see how much I can
learn and what new adventures I might uncover.
Tommie Freundlich from Western Carolina University in the U.S.
I am a film major at Western Carolina University, and as a student of the arts, I feel that one of the greatest gifts I can give to myself is the ability to experience things outside of my norm and comfort zone. I have struggled a lot with social anxiety and finding the confidence to be different and I’m so excited for the opportunity to push myself to becoming more confident through experiencing a new place with new people.
I am ecstatic for the opportunity to study at Massey University in New Zealand! My current university is in a small mountain town, so I’m eager to be able to experience life in New Zealand’s capital. Massey has an incredible film program and I can’t wait to artistically collaborate with the students there! A large part of any form of art is learning from and about other cultures, and it’s such a gift to be able to do so in New Zealand.
I was born and mostly raised in Cape Coral, Florida, but I moved to Boone, North Carolina when I was going into my freshman year of high school. The culture shock of going from the suburbs in Florida to a small town in a forest was intense but also incredibly eye-opening. Learning how to interact with people in both of these environments made me a stronger communicator, and given that I haven’t left the country in around 10 years, I’m thrilled to be able to learn more about myself and the world through making friends in Wellington.
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