UNC Charlotte undergraduate students Keegan Cary and Emma Frantz will deepen their knowledge and understanding of the world through an immersive semester-long study abroad experience in Spain, as the 2015 Odyssean Scholarship recipients.
“Having grown up in a small Southern town, my experiences were limited by the confines of its cultural boundaries,” said Cary, a history and secondary education major who aspires to teach. “I am eager to learn what the rest of the world has to offer. Spending a semester in Santander, Spain will broaden my worldview as both an educator and a historian.
Cary looks forward to learning another language and exploring the unique history of the culture.
“The opportunity to experience how the Spanish monarchy held such vast influence over the culture throughout history would give me a new understanding of how that influence continues today,” she said. “I can think of no better way to truly understand this influence than visiting various historic sites such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Gothic Quarter, and the royal complex, El Escorial.”
She plans to share with her future students what she learns in her classes in Spain and also by interacting with local people. “I am excited about the small details of daily life and unique cultural perspectives living with a host family will grant,” she said. “As an aspiring teacher I have committed myself to improving the lives of youth and I believe worldly experience is necessary to achieve this goal.”
For Frantz, the study abroad experience in Spain presents a chance to add to her comprehensive educational experience as she prepares for a global career.
“With a double major in political science and Spanish, I think the opportunity to experience the culture and political realities first-hand would be a largely beneficial and richly rewarding experience,” she said. “I truly believe the best way to excel at the level I want is by being completely immersed in the language and the culture while also gaining insight into what it would be like to live in another country as I pursue my goal of becoming a Foreign Service Officer.”
The Odyssean Scholarship covers approximately $12,000 toward the costs of a semester abroad. Students can use the scholarship to study on any approved UNC Charlotte study abroad program. Past recipients have studied in the United Kingdom, Spain and South Africa.
“The Odyssean is awarded to an undergraduate UNC Charlotte student who would not otherwise have the financial means to experience a semester-long academic study abroad program,” said Brad Sekulich, director of UNC Charlotte’s Office of Education Abroad.
“This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates both exceptional financial need and extraordinary academic performance,” Sekulich said. “It is the hope of the donor and the Office of Education Abroad that this scholarship affords the recipient the life-changing perspective study abroad offers.”
Cary and Frantz embrace that philosophy. “Financial difficulties aside, I do not want to watch my goals fade away,” Franz said. “In fact, it strengthens my resolve, determination and willingness to do anything I can to have and make the most of this opportunity.”
