News

January 6, 2012

Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients Selected

Many students—now more than ever—need financial assistance to help turn dreams into reality. And because the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences encourages its students to study abroad for a semester or two—or at least a summer—we are determined to raise more funds to help support this experience. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, particularly Jeffrey Katz ’69 (economics) and Thomas Whitford ’77 (psychology), the College was able to assist 30 students with scholarships up to $1,000 for their spring semester 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 them all. 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.

Stephanie Benson
Hometown: Wilmington, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Siena, Italy
Favorite Class: Media Programming and Institutions
"With this scholarship I will be able to broaden my world view in ways I never imagined."

Ritika Bhakhri
Hometown: Shrewsbury, MA
Major: Political Science/Legal Studies
Study Abroad Program: Manchester, UK
Favorite Class: Intro to Legal Studies
"This study abroad program will be very useful for my goals of working with the United Nations. I am sincerely grateful for this award."

Meghan Connolly
Hometown: Hull, MA
Major: Communication/BDIC
Study Abroad Program: Sydney, Australia
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication
"I was nervous about going abroad because my mother has been unemployed for a significant amount of time. Receiving this scholarship eased a lot of those nerves. It really makes me want to make a donation to this scholarship fund in the future."

Jennifer Curtin
Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA
Major: Sociology
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Sexuality and Society
"This scholarship will enable me to experience my upcoming adventure to the fullest. At UMass I am making connections and gaining the knowledge necessary to thrive once I graduate. My experience abroad will further these connections and knowledge, adding deeper meaning to my life and goals."

Josephine D’Amico
Hometown: Framingham, MA
Major: Political Science/Psychology
Study Abroad Program: Valencia, Spain
Favorite Class: Controversies in Public Policy
"Normally I receive a tuition waiver due to my MCAS score but the waiver doesn’t apply to study abroad. This scholarship helps make my experience affordable and stress free."

Elysse DeRita
Hometown: Providence, RI
Major: Legal Studies/Psychology
Study Abroad Program: University of Wollongong, Australia
Favorite Class: Law and American Literature
"My family has three kids in college. This generous gesture made my goal of traveling and studying in Australia possible."

Miguel Do Canto
Hometown: Boston, MA
Major: Economics
Study Abroad Program: Shanghai, China
Favorite Class: Macroeconomics
"This scholarship means more to me than words can express. Thanks to the donors I won’t have to worry too much about how to survive in the vast foreign land."

Krystal Ford
Hometown: Barre, MA
Major: Landscape Architecture
Study Abroad Program: Spain and France

Michelle Gilman
Hometown: Hull, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Granada, Spain

Madelaine Hicks
Hometown: Maplewood, NJ
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Florence, Italy
Favorite Class: Urban Government and Politics
"This scholarship has taken a great burden off my shoulders. My mom said she has never been more proud of me."

Mohammed Jami
Hometown: Cambridge, MA
Major: Sociology
Study Abroad Program: Seville, Spain

Eric LaMarche
Hometown: Southampton, MA
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Meknes, Morocco
Favorite Class: American Foreign Policy
"I consider studying abroad a huge accomplishment. Thanks for your contribution to my education. This scholarship will help my family and me in a positive way."

Nicholas Lee
Hometown: Holliston, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication
"This study abroad experience and your philanthropic efforts will [enable me] to learn about the world and broaden my views. [I intend to] give back generously in the future."

Rachel Levine
Hometown: Natick, MA
Major: Communication/Theater
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: I could say something positive about almost all of my classes at UMass.
“Last summer I accepted an unpaid internship at Rafanelli Events, a well known company that works with clients like President Obama, the Clinton, Chris Hughes, etc. I was an extremely beneficial experience, but due to my lack of income, I almost didn’t have the opportunity to study abroad. This scholarship relieves so much financial stress."

Stephanie Miller
Hometown: Hingham, MA
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Alicante, Spain
Favorite Class: American Foreign Policy
"I would like to thank the donors for…making one of my longtime dreams a reality."

Nora Murphy
Hometown: Acton, MA
Major: Anthropology
Study Abroad Program: Climate and Cultural Chage in the
Andes, Peru
“One of my lifelong goals is to be an effective communicator for change, and I imagine that the action research in the Andes will be an invaluable step in helping me become that person.”

Giselle O’Connor
Hometown: Huntington, MA
Major: Anthropology
Study Abroad Program: Valpariso, Chile
Favorite Class: Nutritional Anthropology
"This scholarship will help me financially with my studies and might let me further explore South America."

Paola Ozuna
Hometown: Boston, MA
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Paris, France
Favorite Class: Power, Technology, and Governance
"One of my goals, ever since I can remember, has been to speak French and study in Paris, but since moving from the Dominican Republic it has been difficult for my family to balance the economic aspect of our lives. This scholarship is truly a relief for my mother, who works as a baker, and me."

Vanessa Pini
Hometown: Newton, MA
Major: Communication/Italian Studies
Study Abroad Program: London, UK
Favorite Class: Media, Public Relations and Propaganda
"This scholarship truly changes the course of my next semester, allowing me to see more places and do more things while I gain work experience with my unpaid internship in London."

Rodolfo Ramos
Hometown: Gloucester, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Media, Public Relations & Propaganda
"I come from a single-parent home, family of four, with both my brother and me in college. My mother was recently laid off, and it’s been hard to make ends meet. Thank you for your generosity."

Brent Ramsey
Hometown: Upton, MA
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Torino, Italy

Luzelle Rodriguez
Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Valencia, Spain
Favorite Class: Media, Public Relations & Propaganda
"My parents struggle to pay for my education every day and this scholarship is one less payment they have to worry about. I am incredibly grateful."

Nicole Rosenberg
Hometown: West Harrison, NY
Major: Sociology
Study Abroad Program: Rome, Italy
Favorite Class: The Family
"Being less stressed about my financial needs while abroad, I can focus more on learning a new culture."

Dina Sandakli
Hometown: Westborough, MA
Major: Political Science/Spanish
Study Abroad Program: Granada, Spain

Daria Sayan
Hometown: Salem, MA
Major: Legal Studies/Business
Study Abroad Program: Valencia, Spain
Favorite Class: Corporation Finance
"With high interest rates and a weak job market, it is increasingly important to keep student debt to a minimum. I fund my own education and personal expenses, so this scholarship will help lessen my debt and allow me to enjoy my cultural experience without regret."

Eliza Shirazi
Hometown: Leominster, MA
Major: Communication/Public Health
Study Abroad Program: South Africa

Chelsey Sordello
Hometown: Billerica, MA
Major: Communication/Sport Management
Study Abroad Program: Manchester, UK
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication
"Going abroad is going to be a life-changing experience, and it wouldn’t have been possible without financial assistance."

Margaret Sullivan
Hometown: Natick, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Class: Advertising as Social Communication,, Gender, Sex & Representatio,n &Media, Public Relations & Propaganda
"This past summer and again on Thanksgiving my father had a heart attack. Knowing that I have $1,000 extra to keep me stable will help ease his stress and help him continue to fight. My mom and I cannot express enough thanks."

Anna Szatkowski
Hometown: Beverly, MA
Major: Communication
Study Abroad Program: Scotland, UK
Favorite Class: Contemporary World Cinema
"I feel very lucky and blessed to receive this scholarship. Thank you."

Linda Yau
Hometown: Malden, MA
Major: Political Science
Study Abroad Program: Japan

Kelly Zando
Hometown: Stratford, CT
Major: Legal Studies
Study Abroad Program: Sydney, Australia
Favorite Class: No Place to Hide
"This scholarship made such an impact on my decision to study abroad. I was told I couldn't due to finances, but I didn't give up. It helps me eliminate a loan that I would be working forever to pay off."