Canon-McMillan graduate gets scholarship to study abroad
A Canon-McMillan High School graduate is one of 850 undergraduates from across the country to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad.
Shai Wudkwych, a junior chemistry and mathematics major at La Roche College, will spend the spring semester at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
”I hope to gain a better understanding of the heritage, culture and values associated with China. I also look forward to learning about the different leadership styles in China in order to strengthen my own leadership skills,” Wudkwych said.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the scholarship enables U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies, or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad. Congressman Gilman retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee.
The semester abroad will not be the McDonald native’s first time overseas. She previously traveled to France and England through La Roche’s Study Abroad+Study USA program. She also visited China in the summer of 2015.
Wudkwych said the Gilman Scholarship offered the opportunity for her to choose the destination of her study abroad experience.
”What attracted me was the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s unique college system and the fact that they are bilingual,” she said. “The courses are taught both in Chinese and English, which won’t be very difficult for me because my first language is Chinese.”
Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs.