Undergraduates study in Abu Dhabi, Australia, and South Africa as ACC scholars this semester

Audrey Froelich, Shannon Harris and Tim Johnson

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 16, 2007 – Three Virginia Tech students have been awarded ACC International Academic Collaborative (ACC/IAC) Scholarships of $1,000 each to help underwrite the costs of their studies abroad this semester.

The three Virginia Tech students selected for these awards are:

• Audrey Froelich of Richmond, Va., a sophomore majoring in international studies and German in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, who is studying at the American University in Dubai. She wants to learn basic Arabic, study the traditions behind Islam, and immerse herself in Middle Eastern society and culture. She hopes to work in government in the future, possibly in the State Department.
• Shannon Harris of Petersburg, Va., a junior majoring in animal and poultry sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a minor in biology to prepare for veterinary school. She is studying at Curtin University in Perth, Australia through a bilateral student exchange and is volunteering at a large animal care facility while in Australia in order to work with large animals that are exotic to the U.S.
• Timothy Johnson of Narrows, Va., a senior majoring in agriculture and applied economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is participating in the bilateral student exchange at University of the Free State (South Africa). Tim came to Tech at the age of 25 with an associate degree and “real world” experience, so he is not a typical student. He is interested in working in less developed regions of the world.

The study abroad scholarship program is one of several ACC/IAC academic initiatives that are funded by a portion of the revenue from the ACC football championship. Other initiatives include a biennial conference (the first was held at Virginia Tech in 2005); honoring outstanding international programs, faculty, and students; an ACC/IAC website linking international gateways at ACC member institutions; collaborating on existing education abroad opportunities and introducing new ACC multi-institutional initiatives; encouraging faculty collaboration through annual summer overseas missions; and initiating research to assess the effectiveness of international education programs.

Virginia Tech students are invited to apply for two $1,000, fall 2007 scholarships by completing an application form, a one-page essay, a one-page letter of reference from a Virginia Tech faculty, and complete transcripts (official or unofficial) by Friday, March 30, 2007. Students can access the application form online or at the Education Abroad Office, 1820 Litton Reaves Hall.

Faculty may submit proposals for new study abroad programs and for international faculty collaborations until April 15, 2007. Applications and additional information are available online .

For more information, contact Susan Felker at (540) 231-7188.

• Susan B. Felker
• 540-231-5396
• vtnews@vt.edu