Quieren ir Uds. a Espana?
Students interested in spending their spring semester studying in Segovia, Spain may find it more affordable, thanks to an anonymous donation of a $1,500 scholarship.
Suzanne Kiefer, adviser to UK's Study Abroad program, explained that a faculty member in the Kentucky Institute for International Studies, a 12-member college consortium to which UK belongs, made the donation at a recent board meeting of the organization.
"It's something we were all amazed about," Kiefer said. "He (the donor) said it was his way of 'putting his money where his mouth is.'"
The anonymous faculty member made the donation out of his own pocket, hoping to aid someone wishing to participate in the new Semester in Spain program.
"He wanted it to be able to make the difference for someone who really wanted to go, but couldn't because of the money," Kiefer said.
The semester program takes place from January through April. Students live with Spanish families and attend university classes taught in Spanish, requiring that participants have at least an intermediate knowledge of the language.
Cost of the semester in Segovia, which totals $5,880, covers tuition, room and board, travel and some excursions. Twelve to 15 students will be accepted.
Kiefer said that just because the majority of the courses to be offered focus on the Spanish language and culture, students do not have to be majoring in that area.
"People who apply for study abroad come from all disciplines," Kiefer said. "An international experience should be part of everyone's education."
Kiefer said the scholarship will be awarded on the basis of the merits and needs of the applicants.
Due to the recent addition of the scholarship incentive, Kiefer said the application deadline has been moved back to Oct. 16 so that more students can take advantage of it.