We are excited to announce our TEAN scholarship winners for spring 2025! Congratulations to Joseline, Emilee, Lizbeth, and Talya.
From exploring New Zealand’s stunning beaches to eating delicious Korean food, our scholarship winners share what they’re looking forward to most while abroad. We asked them a few questions to learn more about their stories, too!
MEET OUR Global Opportunity (full ride) Scholarship Winner
Joseline T.
Home University: University of Houston
Headed to: Dunedin, New Zealand
Program: University of Otago
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? My decision to study abroad in New Zealand was inspired by a combination of academic and cultural interests. Academically, it offers unique courses and perspectives that I can learn from to enrich my understanding and personal and professional journey. Culturally, New Zealand’s recognition and respect for Māori traditions in law and society resonate with my identity as a Mexican American. By going to New Zealand, I hope to engage with the indigenous culture and learn about their culture, language, historical resilience, and community empowerment.
What does your scholarship mean to you? As a first-generation student this scholarship represents an opportunity to overcome financial barriers and pursue higher education abroad, a dream I once thought was unattainable. This scholarship will allow me to focus on my academic and personal growth in New Zealand without the burden of financial stress.
What are you most looking forward to? I am most looking forward to experiencing the unique culture, education, and natural landscapes that New Zealand offers. Studying at the University of Otago will allow me to immerse myself in a different academic environment while exploring how the values and traditions of the Kiwi community influence their approach to mental health and psychology.
Meet our diversity Scholarship winner
Emilee C.
Home University: University of Pittsburgh
Headed to: Seoul, South Korea
Program: Korea University
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? I was inspired to choose South Korea as my study abroad destination due to my love of the Korean culture, language, and goal to become a translator. I first started listening to K-pop in 2020, which then led me to study Korean. This not only influenced my current academic studies, in which I minor in Korean, but it also influenced what I wanted to be when I graduate college, a translator. To become more fluent in Korean and experience Korean culture firsthand rather than through my phone screen, I was inspired to have my study abroad experience in South Korea.
What does your scholarship mean to you? To me, the DEI scholarship means that other minorities and people of color such as myself have the opportunity to receive a higher education outside of the country and experience a new culture. This scholarship also gives us the chance to be represented and have a voice in education abroad. Therefore, this scholarship is very meaningful to me as it not only gives me the ability to learn outside the U.S., but it also gives me the chance to proudly be a part of the diversity that shapes study abroad.
What are you most looking forward to? There are many things I am looking forward to while studying abroad in South Korea! Out of everything, I am mainly looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture, and learning the language on a deeper level to become more fluent by the time I come back to the U.S. I am also looking forward to making new friends, whether they’re from Korea, the U.S., or other countries, I hope to make friends with people from around the world. Finally, I am looking forward to exploring Seoul and other cities in South Korea!
MEET OUR Semester Partnership scholarship winners
Lizbeth M.
Home University: Florida Gulf Coast University
Headed to: Seoul, South Korea
Program: Korea University
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? My passion for language learning and exploring new cultures led me to choose Seoul, South Korea as my study abroad destination! I have always wanted to study abroad in a location completely different from what I am used to as a Mexican-American living in Southwest Florida. Having been introduced to South Korea through a friend who liked K-pop, I quickly became fascinated by its culture and rapidly growing entertainment industry. Korea is the perfect place to help me advance in my personal and career goals of stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring the role culture plays in the stigma surrounding mental health.
What does your scholarship mean to you? This scholarship is my ticket to the rest of the world. I plan to explore many more countries and cultures in the future, and South Korea is the start of this journey. My main obstacle to studying abroad was the financial aspect, and receiving the email notifying me that I was awarded the Semester Partnership Scholarship reinforced my decision to study abroad. I felt I could reduce my worries about finances and focus more on the experience. As a first-generation college student, I want to encourage fellow students that it is possible to study abroad despite financial constraints. I feel deeply grateful to the team at TEAN for supporting students like me by offering this scholarship opportunity.
What are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to so much! I am excited to finally meet the place I have been learning about for the past six years. A few things I am eager about are living in a homogenous country with a language I am learning, experiencing the top education system of South Korea, learning the cultural customs I have studied online, living in a walkable, bustling city, meeting new people, admiring the architecture, visiting cute cafes and shops, and, of course, eating delicious Korean food! My list could go on and on, but if I had to choose, I am truly looking forward to experiencing, learning, and growing from living a life that is different from my everyday life back at home.
MEET OUR Host university Scholarship Winners
Talya R.
Home University: University of Rhode Island
Headed to: Auckland, New Zealand
Program: University of Auckland
What inspired you to pick your study abroad destination? When I was deciding on a study abroad location, I knew I wanted to be somewhere near the ocean and somewhere with warmer weather than my hometown in New England. The idea of being in a place with stunning natural beauty and access to the coast was a major factor in my decision. I also wanted to immerse myself in a completely new culture and environment to push myself out of my comfort zone to grow personally and academically. New Zealand checked all these boxes and more. As someone who loves nature, I was excited by the opportunity to explore such a biodiverse and picturesque environment. I was also inspired by the commitment to sustainability and preservation in this country and was eager to learn more from a global leader in sustainability initiatives.
What does your scholarship mean to you? This scholarship means a lot to me because it represents more than just financial support, it is a chance to focus on growing, learning and building a career where I can make a real difference. It is motivation to help others along the way of my own journey towards my goals and pay it forward where I can. It is a reminder than people believe in me and my future which provides me with the tools and confidence I need to keep going in the next chapter of my life.
What are you most looking forward to? I am really looking forward to exploring the beaches in New Zealand and hiking in various parks around the country. There is so much natural beauty here and I want to see all that New Zealand has to offer. I am also excited to learn more about the Māori culture and their connection to the environment. Living in Auckland will also give me the chance to experience living in a city which I think will be really fun to explore. New Zealand provides such a unique opportunity to experience a new place and culture while immersing myself in nature.
ABOUT TEAN’S SCHOLARSHIPS
TEAN offers generous scholarships to help make study abroad a reality. No matter your program or term length, we have a variety of merit- or need-based scholarship opportunities for you!
There are also a number of university, local, and national scholarships you may be eligible for. Be sure to check with your Study Abroad and Financial Aid offices to see if they offer any scholarships or additional information.
