30 dollars for 30 years
“ As members of USAC, we benefit greatly from the Consortium. The scholarship challenge is a great way to give back to the organization. $30 may not sound like much, but if everyone contributes it will add up very quickly. ”
--Corrine Henke, USAC Board Member, Boise State University
As USAC kicked-off its 30th anniversary celebration, long time board member, Corrine Henke, issued a challenge encouraging donors to give $30 (or more) to represent each of the years USAC has been providing quality study abroad programs from its humble beginnings in the Basque Country to its newest program in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These gifts will go directly to a 30th Anniversary Scholarship, which will be distributed in 2012-13. The USAC Board of Directors has committed to matching every gift to the 30th Anniversary Scholarship, up to $50,000, ensuring that your contribution will have an even greater impact.
Every gift matters
“ The experience of studying abroad is unforgettable, and the scholarship you gave me helped make my dream a reality. ”
--Nicholas Rhea, USAC Santiago Alum
By its very nature, study abroad may be more expensive than staying at home. As a result, many bright and deserving students see financing as a roadblock to studying abroad. As a non-profit consortium of 33 universities, USAC’s commitment to providing scholarships is stronger than ever with over $340 thousand awarded in scholarships last year. Still, applications from students in need of additional funding are on the rise. Your tax-deductible contribution goes 100% to student scholarships, opening the gateway to unique international opportunities for students.
By now we are all acutely aware that the world has changed dramatically. As a result, the skills and knowledge required of our current students to work and compete in the today’s realities are more global and international in scope than ever before. Study abroad allows a student to “experience” the world while becoming more intimately knowledgeable about it at the same time. It is no longer a “grand tour” for the wealthy but rather the educational basis which will allow us, as a society, to compete and succeed over future decades.
“ My parents have left me full responsibility for paying for my college education and every penny gets me closer to my dream of receiving a well-rounded education. This scholarship has definitely helped. ”
--Rachel Loban, USAC San Sebastián
Why I gave
“As a USAC alumni, I can testify to the impact studying abroad made on my academic and career goals. The opportunity increased my cultural understanding and foreign language proficiency – skills that are so important for students entering today’s global marketplace. As the current USAC scholarship advisor, I recognize that in this tough economic climate, more students are in need of funding to reach their study abroad goals. I feel proud to know that my contribution will go directly to helping students expand their horizons through study abroad.”
–McKenzi Swinehart, USAC Alumna: Puntarenas and Santiago, Current USAC Program and Scholarship Advisor
“Thirteen years ago, I studied for a year through USAC in Costa Rica, and it changed my life. Since I was putting myself through school, it was only through the generosity of others that I was able to afford to study abroad. That's why I donated to USAC's 30th Anniversary Scholarship Drive. Help change another student's life for the better by donating now.”
-Ryan Larsen, Assistant Director of Education Abroad, University of Nevada, Las Vegas