In 1993, I went to Germany on the Congress-Bundestag Scholarship. The scholarship provided access to an international education that would not have otherwise been possible. The experience changed the course of my life.
Being an exchange student taught me about myself and my capabilities. Upon my return to the US, I discovered I had lost my fear of failure and gained an appetite for learning. Studying abroad was a confidence builder, an eye opener, and an exercise in independence. It taught me to respect differences and embrace similarities. And it gave me a unique insight into matters of diversity and inclusion that helped me connect with people in more meaningful ways.
Yet, while study abroad programs offer life-changing opportunities, the reality is that financial barriers prevent many high-achieving students from historically
underrepresented backgrounds from participating. Low-income students enroll in study abroad programs at significantly lower rates than their peers, not due to a lack of ambition, but due to a lack of access.
