student in Africa More UMW students will get a chance to study outside of the U.S., thanks to a substantial grant from the Institute for Study Abroad.

A $150,000 grant was recently awarded to Chris Musick, director of international academic services at the University. The gift will be used to fund 10 scholarships of $5,000 each annually over the next three years to UMW students interested in studying abroad.

“This grant will assist students who may not otherwise have the financial means to go abroad, especially students from the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Musick said. “Participants will help to create global awareness on campus and in the community through service projects upon their return from studying abroad.”

The scholarships will be part of a new program called Cultural Envoys, which aims to make international travel available to a wider range of students. The program will educate students about the country they will be visiting one semester prior to their departure, and it will provide opportunities to discuss the impact of study abroad and work with students upon their return.

Currently, one fourth of the nearly 4,000 undergraduates in the University’s liberal arts and sciences program participate in study abroad. Students will be selected based on academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities, and interest in the program.