News

Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients Selected

Some of this year's recipients of the SBS Spring Study Abroad
Fellowship, funded by Jeffrey Katz '69

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences understands that many students—now more than ever—need financial assistance to help their dreams come true. And because SBS encourages its students to study abroad for a semester or two, or at least a summer, we are working hard to make more funds available to help support this experience. This year, thanks to the generosity of Jeffrey Katz '69 (economics), owner of Sherwood Equities in New York, the College was able to support 20 students with scholarships up to $1,000 for their spring travel abroad experience.

Congratulations go to these students, who emerged from a large and very strong pool of applicants. We wish we could have helped all of them. If you are interested in contributing to scholarships for study abroad or other opportunities, you can make a gift online or call the SBS Development Office at 413.577.1700. Following are brief commentaries from this year's recipients of the SBS Spring Study Abroad scholarships.

Jacqueline Allardice
Hometown: Leominster, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Athens, Greece
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication
"Words can not express the gratitude and relief this scholarship has provided for me and my family. This scholarship has lifted an immense weight off of our shoulders. It will help me achieve my goals by allowing me to participate in excursions and to immerse myself in the Greek culture rather than focusing on my budget."

Richard Kenneth Blenk
Hometown: Freeport, ME
Major: Legal Studies and Social Thought & Political Economy
Study Abroad Program: London, England
"This scholarship means a great deal to me, especially since I am the third of four children and my parents are unable to help me pay for college. Money was the only aspect of the study abroad experience I was nervous about. This scholarship will allow me to [totally] focus on this enriching and exciting academic opportunity."

Maxwell Comando
Hometown: Southold, New York
Major: Anthropology
Study Abroad Program: Leiden, The Netherlands
Favorite Class: Medical Anthropology
"This scholarship has lightened the financial burden that my parents and I are shouldering. This scholarship allows me to focus more on enjoying the experience and less on worrying how I will be paying for it."

Lucas Correia
Hometown: Seekonk, MA
Major: Journalism
Study Abroad Program: London, UK
Favorite Class: Writing for the Web
"I am grateful that alumni care enough to fund such opportunities for current students."

Christian Euvrard
Hometown: Athol, MA
Major: Journalism
Study Abroad Program: Photojournalism Program in Sicily, Italy
Favorite Class: Independent Study with Nicholas McBride
"This scholarship means that I can have the academic and life experience to pursue my goal as a photographer. I'd simply like to express my thanks for helping me be able to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience!"

Amanda Gaudet
Hometown: Salem, MA
Major: Social Thought & Political Economy
Study Abroad Program: Granada, Spain
Favorite Class: The Good Society
"This scholarship will help me afford books and travel to my program (expenses that are not included in the program package). In order to get the most out of my experience, it is nice to not feel too financially burdened. Thank you so much for your contribution."

Jaimie M. Grazi
Hometown: Ocean, NJ
Major: Sociology & Communication
Study Abroad Program: Rome, Italy
Favorite Class: Sociology of Childhood
"Thank you, thank you, and thank you! This is such a huge gift. I come from a community where it is uncommon for women to go to college and pursue a bachelor’s degree followed by graduate school. In that regard, I am really pleased with how far I have come and where I am going. Thank you (again) for being a part of that."

Steven Jango-Cohen
Hometown: Burlington, MA
Major: Communication and Spanish
Study Abroad Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication
"Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity, but financing it has been extremely stressful. This scholarship really does help relieve the financial burden and allows me to focus more on immersing myself in the culture without worrying about getting the documentation for employment in Argentina, taking out a new loan, etc. Thank you so much for being kind enough to actually care about helping a student with these concerns."

Lauren Kamb
Hometown: Walpole, MA
Major: Communication and Spanish
Study Abroad Program: Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication
"If I were to meet the donor of this scholarship today, I would introduce myself, shake his hand, and thank him from the bottom of my heart...I think I would even be moved to tears! Someday, when I am an alum, I hope to make donations to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences so that more students can have the opportunity to study abroad—just like me going to Costa Rica this spring."

Makeda Lewis
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY
Major: Sociology
Study Abroad Program: University of Sussex
Favorite Class: Race Relations
"There are no words to express how much this means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Many of my friends will be living vicariously through my experience because they might never have the privilege to do so. I am the first in my family to study abroad."

Meghan MacDonald
Hometown: Lowell, MA
Major: Political Science and History
Study Abroad Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite Class: Intro to Latin American Studies
"This award is helping me make a dream come true. My trip wouldn't be possible without your help. I hope to one day be able to contribute to a student's study as you are doing for me. Paying my own way through college has been a struggle, and your generosity is both heartwarming and inspiring. Thank you so much."

Chana Malamut-Salvaggio
Hometown: Sharon, MA
Major: Anthropology
Study Abroad Program: Rome, Italy
Favorite Class: Archaeology of Israel/Palestine
"I would not be where I am in life today if it weren't for the generous people who donate money to education. I am grateful for the experience to go abroad, which is something I never would have been able to do without financial support."

Amir Moini
Hometown: Canton, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Gender, Sex, and Representation
"This scholarship means so much to me and my family. It will help me to achieve my goals because I will have more opportunities, and I will not have to stress about my finances. Thank you! Working at the Annual Fund here on campus, I am aware of how important scholarships and alumni support are. This makes me appreciate the scholarship even more. Thanks!"

Stephanie Nunes
Hometown: Raynham, MA
Major: Sociology/Pre-Med
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Sociology of Love
"I am independent and my parents do not help me, therefore, this scholarship is truly a blessing, giving me an opportunity I would not otherwise have. Hopefully I will become fluent in Spanish, which will help my goals of becoming a doctor. The road to college was a tough one and I am here only because of financial aid and scholarships."

Joseph O'Dea
Hometown: Heath, MA
Major: Anthropology
Study Abroad Program: Siena, Italy
Favorite Class: Cultures of Africa
"I was very unsure if I would be able to go on my study abroad, simply because it was expensive, so thank you for your generosity. Going to Italy next semester is so surreal because I never before have had the opportunity to pursue something of this magnitude. Thank you very much."


Nicholas O'Malley
Hometown: Bellingham, MA
Major: Journalism, Sociology
Study Abroad Program: Cork, Ireland
Favorite Class: Street Gangs & Domestic Policy
"You've helped take an enormous burden off of my family and you will soon see that you've made a wise choice. I will have a lot more flexibility in what I can do while I'm abroad, which will truly enhance the entire experience."

Joseph Silveira
Hometown: Swansea, MA
Major: Landscape Architecture
Study Abroad Program: The University of Manchester, England
Favorite Class: Landscape Patterns and Process
"This scholarship is helping me achieve my goal of being a better American Landscape Architect by studying with the English. I cannot express enough how much this helps take off some of the financial stress. In September I lost my girlfriend of 6 years in a drunk driving accident. You have helped me begin a new chapter in my life of healing, learning, and self growth. Thank you."

Lindita Taka
Hometown: Auburn, MA
Major: Sociology
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Gender and Society
"This scholarship gives me and my family a lot of hope. Because of this scholarship I am able to travel and experience Europe as I have dreamed. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will live on through my experiences."

Kathryn Yetman
Hometown: Plymouth, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Australia
Favorite Class: Democracy and Discourse
"Thank you so much. My mom passed away of cancer when I was seventeen so things have been hard on my family. We have not had the money to be able to travel and experience new cultures. I am the first person in my family to ever travel to Australia and they are very proud of me. Without scholarships I would not have had the opportunity."

Katrina Zaralides
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite Class: Elementary Spanish
"My parents have been unemployed for a little over half a year. Although they support my decision to study abroad and wish they could contribute financially, it is impossible for them to do so. Without this scholarship, it would be very difficult for me to afford this trip. This opportunity really does mean the world to me."

December 17, 2009