Six Earn UA Away Scholarships for Study, Service Abroad

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Division of Student Affairs has named six students as recipients of summer and fall 2013 UA Away scholarships, as part of a scholarship initiative that supports learning opportunities for students to work, serve or study away.

The UA Away scholarship recipients are:

• Kimiko Clayton, of Hoover, a junior studying nursing who will be studying in Chiba, Japan, this summer.
• Jessica Crook, of Alexandria, a junior studying nursing who will travel to China to volunteer with medical professionals throughout East Asia.
• Hailah Saeed, of Coldwater, Mich., a senior studying criminal justice and social welfare who will be interning in Washington, D.C., this summer, working in the public and non-profit areas of international affairs.
• Ashley Smith, of South Riding, Va., a junior studying dance and apparel design who will study language and culture in Florence, Italy, this summer.
• Grace Spears, of Andalusia, a sophomore studying biology who will study at the American International University in London.
• Melanie Woodward, of Roswell, Ga., a junior studying accounting who will study international finance in London and Brussels.

Through these opportunities, these students demonstrate a commitment to global citizenship, a learning priority for the Division of Student Affairs. The UA Away scholarship initiative funds students in need of financial support to make these endeavors possible.

“We are thrilled to offer these scholarships to such deserving students who have portrayed a true desire to become global citizens and expand their world view,” said Dr. Mark Nelson, vice president for student affairs and vice provost. “We are confident that the students selected will return to UA with rich experiences that will enhance their education.”

The main goal of the UA Away scholarship initiative is to provide students with unique learning opportunities to study in different environments, serve others and experience on-the-job training. Crook, for example, will be participating in a short medical expedition that will provide free medical and eye exams to underprivileged communities in East Asia.

“Serving in China will broaden my view of the world and my view of health care in numerous ways,” Crook said. “I will bring back this new knowledge and experience to UA, and, ultimately, it will make me a better nurse to every patient I encounter,” Crook said.

For more information about study away and work away, explore Capstone International online at international.ua.edu. To learn about serve away opportunities, visit the Community Service Center online at volunteer.ua.edu. UA Away scholarship applications will be available in the fall for spring 2014 work, serve and study away programs on sa.ua.edu.

Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs by visiting sa.ua.edu and connecting with Student Affairs on Facebook at facebook.com/bamastudentlife and on Twitter at twitter.com/bamastudentlife.