Russellville High School graduate Sarah Fox recently took a trip to Cuba with WKU Extended Learning.

slideshow

Sarah Fox interacts with children in Cuba on her trip with WKU Extended Learning.

slideshow

Fifty-six WKU students received a total of $17,100 in scholarship funds to participate in Faculty-Led Study Abroad (FLSA) courses during winter 2013. The funds were provided through a new scholarship award offered by WKU Extended Learning & Outreach (DELO).

DELO and WKU Study Away created this award to encourage students to share how a study abroad experience can improve their academic achievement and cultural awareness. More than half of WKU students who study abroad participate in an FLSA course, which provides students with the opportunity to study internationally with a WKU faculty member and fellow WKU students.

To be considered for the award, students proposed a project that they believed would enhance their study abroad experience and encourage other WKU students to participate in future FLSA programs. Student proposals ranged from a service-learning project studying poor working conditions in South America to a project that took much-needed supplies to Cuban women’s shelters and schools. Students also worked with local schools and universities to promote the benefits of international studies.

Sarah Fox, a senior music major from Russellville, said the DELO award provided her with a challenging opportunity. “It broke my heart to see the poverty of Cuban people, but [it] gave me hope that I do have the ability to help others in small ways,” Fox said.

Vice President Extended Learning Beth Laves said that DELO is committed to supporting student participation in faculty-led study abroad programs. “We welcome the opportunity to enhance global learning opportunities for our students, so partnering with WKU Study Abroad & Global Learning makes sense,” said Laves. “We are happy to provide scholarship awards to help students enhance their learning experiences.”

DELO plans to offer another FLSA scholarship opportunity for summer 2013. Students must complete an online application and submit their project proposal by March 8 for priority consideration. The final deadline is March 22. Awards will be made based on fund availability.