A change of scenery can make a world of difference when it comes to understanding complex issues through a global lens. That’s why the O’Neill School offers its O’Neill International study abroad opportunities. For the summer semester, there are 13 programs offered in 14 locations around the world, from the Caribbean to Europe to South Africa.
Applications for summer programs are due by December 15, 2019, and the deadline to apply for a scholarship is on December 17, 2019. The sooner students apply, the more time they have to complete a scholarship application. Every student is eligible for a scholarship to help offset the costs of the program. Those scholarships often make trips possible for many students. But don’t take our word for it. Read what Jason Sprinkle, an O’Neill graduate student pursuing his MPA in nonprofit management, had to say about why he studied abroad and the importance of scholarships.
Q1: What did it mean to you to earn a study abroad scholarship through the O’Neill School?
- “The chance to study abroad is such a life-changing experience and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity I had to travel to Copenhagen. Learning while immersed in another culture is not an experience many get to enjoy, and I did not take the opportunity lightly. Studying about the nonprofit sector overseas will have a lasting impact on my current career in nonprofit philanthropy and future trajectory as a nonprofit professional.”
Q2: What is the value of studying and traveling abroad?
- “The value of studying abroad is remarkable yet immeasurable. Our program in Denmark allowed us to study in a different culture, interact with experienced professionals on a personal level, and learn from a highly-sophisticated system that is the perfect mirror image of the U.S. nonprofit sector. This experience shows students how different the world of nonprofits can be. It completely changed my outlook on the U.S. and global nonprofit sector and forced me to take a hard look at my own career and how this advanced education could help me make more of a difference. I am so grateful for the opportunity to study abroad with O’Neill and for the scholarship I received.”
Q3. How important are study abroad scholarships for students?
- “I would encourage all O’Neill alumni to give back to benefit study abroad programs. In order for our students to remain competitive in today’s workforce and the nonprofit world as a whole, they must have some international experience. These experiences improve students’ practical and theoretical skills, expand their understanding of the world, and set them up for further success in their chosen career.”
To apply to the O’Neill International program, visit this link or contact oneillqa@iupui.edu with questions.
