The International Center is delighted to announce the fall 2019 and academic year 2019/20 Bond International Scholar Award recipients. This award is made possible by a generous endowment from the friends of retired U.S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond, in honor of his exemplary public service. The scholarship provides awards to MU undergraduate or graduate students studying abroad for a semester or academic/calendar year.

Dozens of students applied for this award. After rigorous review, including final personal interviews with the selection committee, three awardees were selected to receive a $5,000 study abroad scholarship, to be used in fall 2019 or academic year 2019/20. The International Center congratulates the recipients. Their experiences abroad will equip them with skills necessary in influencing the next generation of global citizens.

Awards reception

On Friday, May 10, the International Center hosted a reception to honor the Bond International Scholars Award recipients from MU and UMSL. Five of the recipients attended with their families and friends. They were recognized by leadership from both campuses, including MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright; UMSL Chancellor Thomas George; Mary Stegmaier, interim vice provost of MU International Programs and interim director of the International Center; and George Sipos, UMSL senior international officer and executive director of the UMSL Office of International Studies and Programs.

About the MU scholars

Maddie Sahudin is studying with SAI Programs in Paris, France, for the fall semester. Maddie is an English major and also studying pre-law. Maddie’s career goal is to work with international immigration law and she sees studying abroad as a way to prepare her to empathize with people who immigrate to the U.S., as they navigate new cultures.

Evelyn Stone is studying for an academic year at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. Evelyn is a business and economics major and has always an interest and love of learning about the Japanese language and culture. She sees this experience as preparation to work in government after graduation as either an auditor or in translation services.

Sarai Vega is studying with CIEE in Seville, Spain, for fall semester. Sarai’s major is journalism and she has strong interest in expanding her global perspective and reporting abroad on the culture she learns. She hopes to help to bring more awareness and visibility to the Latin American community in mid-Missouri when she returns and encourage others to study abroad.