Lincoln Mullins

Thank you very much for funding my study abroad experience in Heredia, Costa Rica. Without the funding that was provided, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in this life changing experience. Allow me to elaborate on how much I appreciate the financial aid that I was awarded.

To put everything into context, I am a senior with a major in Spanish and a minor in linguistics. After graduating, I plan to enroll in a Spanish medical interpretation training program so that I can become a medical interpreter. My time studying in Costa Rica contributed significantly to my career goals. While in Costa Rica, I was able to be immersed in Spanish with the opportunity to experience Spanish in a native setting from a native perspective. This helped significantly, because to be able to enroll in a Spanish medical interpretation training program I first have to be considered an advanced speaker. After studying Spanish in an academic setting for nearly a decade, I would say it's safe to say that I have gained fluency in Spanish after this recent study abroad trip. Without this experience, it is doubtful that I would have gained fluency and be able to take further steps toward my career goals.

In addition, this funding helped significantly considering the amount of bills I was still responsible for during my time abroad. With this financial assistance, I was able to rest easy and focus solely on academics.

Once again, thank you very much for funding my first international experience. Without the financial aid, I wouldn’t have been able to have been immersed in Spanish with such perfect timing!

Sincerely,
Lincoln Mullins

Anaïs Fernandez Castro

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in funding. I am very honored to be the recipient of this award for my proposal--“Exploring Religion Through the Lens of Colonial Latin America”, an ongoing collaborative project with some of my peers.

I am currently a senior, majoring in Political Science and Spanish minoring in Andean and Amazonian Studies. Supporting my research means so much to me, especially as a first-generation student who is certain they want to investigate in and about Latin America.

I am truly grateful for the scholarship support. I have a strong and deep connection and interest in researching Latin America. By donating to this scholarship, I've been able to find a space and support within my university to continue researching the topics I want to explore. I hope to go on to graduate school in the next couple of years to earn a Doctorate.

Thank you,
Anais Fernandez Castro

Ariana Sanabria

My name is Ariana Sanabria, and I am majoring in Neuroscience and Spanish, and I am currently applying to doctorate programs for Occupational Therapy. The generous scholarship I was awarded provided me a once in a lifetime opportunity to study Spanish Language and Culture in Valencia, Spain.

My experience abroad allowed me to fulfill a semester's worth of Spanish courses and advance my cultural understandings. I have always aimed to speak Spanish to create greater connections with my peers, professors, and most importantly, my family. Studying abroad reinstated my love for learning.

Lastly, this trip was also a steppingstone to my life goals; goals to better the world around me. My Spanish education is aimed to translate into inclusive medical care for underrepresented communities in the Columbus area. Because of my abroad experience, I have developed my cultural understandings and now have a greater capacity to volunteer with organizations that maintain similar interests. After receiving my doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy, I hope to be a leader in these endeavors.

Overall, without this aid, the personal, professional, and academic development I've experienced would not be possible. Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have participated in this experience. The generosity of this fund helps me advance in my goals, as well as grow as a student, prospective doctor, and as an overall person.