Deakin students get worldly surprise to study abroad

Two Deakin undergraduate students received a worldly surprise at the recent Global Citizenship Awards at Federation Square when they were awarded funding grants for study abroad next year.

Sarah Wohlgehagen and Chris Howden-Chitty, who both narrowly missed out on a coveted 2016 New Colombo Plan Scholarship this week, had already been allocated government subsidies for their travel plans.

Sarah and Chris’ achievements and hard work in reaching the final round of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship process were acknowledged during the Awards and, in a surprise announcement, the University will provide additional funding of $3,000 and $5,000 respectively to bring the total funds available to each to $10,000.

Sarah, a Bachelor of Arts student, will travel to Yonsei University in Korea while Chris, a Bachelor of Commerce student, will head to the University of Hong Kong.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) Professor Gary Smith congratulated Sarah and Chris on their achievements.

“Reaching the final round of the intensively competitive New Colombo Plan Scholarships is no mean feat,” Professor Smith said.

“The University is pleased to acknowledge their success by covering the funding gap that will enable Sarah and Chris to achieve their goal of international study.”

Professor Smith noted the importance of gaining a worldly perspective through initiatives like the Global Citizenship Program.

“We know that students who have had the opportunity to live and work overseas develop strengths in intercultural empathy, they learn to celebrate diversity and they become global business savvy,” said Professor Smith.

“They can understand and align with diversity which is the reality of the global marketplace.”