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A New Cultural Immersion

September 13, 2011 History

National award lets UMD students study abroad in atypical locations.

National award lets UMD students study abroad in atypical locations.
By Maria Romas, The Diamondback

For the 14 students at this university awarded a national study abroad scholarship, their experiences in countries such as Egypt, Tajikistan or Russia are much more than a year-long vacation.
 The Boren Scholarship and Fellowship gives students about $20,000 to live and learn in many countries where the university's Study Abroad Office doesn't have an official program, said FrancisDuVinage, the director of this university's National Scholarships Office.
 The students undergo a lengthy application process for the highly selective program, and this year, this university had the highest percentage of student applicants admitted, DuVinage said.
 "These are just not typical places study abroad goes," said senior government and politics and history major Emily Burke, who is studying in Turkey. "It gives students the opportunity to not only learn in a different country but learn a different culture — it gives an international flavor to education."
University President Wallace Loh said programs like this align with his vision of creating well-rounded, internationally versed students. While the National Security Education Program funds the Borenawards, this university's National Scholarships Office is helping a growing number of students apply to receive financial assistance that allows them to take time abroad.

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