TPP Scholarship Recipients 2023
This year, The Passport Portal awarded up to $3,000 in scholarships to students who are currently enrolled in college and plan to continue their education through an undergraduate degree program or certification from an accredited college, university, or technology school.
A group of trained community volunteers reviewed applications, and winners were selected based on their academic achievement, financial need, and other eligibility requirements. After reviewing all of this year’s applications, The Passport Portal Scholarship Committee selected twenty scholarship awards winners:
Abigail Lewis
Loyola University
Future study abroad destination: Spain
“If I was given this opportunity with a passport I would take the once in a lifetime college opportunity to study abroad in Spain. There I would like to not only further my education in criminology and justice but also travel throughout Europe and look for future job opportunities. I would like to have a job in Liverpool England as well as further my studies there. I would like to continue to learn more Spanish and about the different cultures and parts of Spain and the world as a whole, with a passport I would have endless opportunities to do things I would never have otherwise. I would be able to see my friends in Colombia, Spain, Korea, and Japan. The opportunities that open up when I have a passport. I want to be able to continue on from my bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree in Washington D.C. and later go on to being able to pursue a Ph.D. in Liverpool London.”
Anna Hultink
Aquinas College
Future study abroad destination: London, England
“The study abroad program at my university provides a resource called ‘common cultural contrasts’ and it discusses individualism versus collectivism, low context versus high context, task-centered versus people-centered, and so forth. I can read about these common contrasts, but experiencing them will give me a more personal sense of cultural diversity.
In the spring of last year, I took a course on cultural anthropology and it inspired me with so many questions and observations that I hope to apply during my own travels. For example, how do different cultures approach religion and faith-based activities? What attitudes exist around career purpose and work-life balance? It would be a lot of fun to keep a journal, people watch, and just generally soak in what I learn.”
Arreon Young
University of Memphis
Future study abroad destination: Paris, France
“Being able to experience another culture would catapult me on my goal list. I have been making significant changes in my life to ensure that I am fully capable of being the woman I want to be. Learning, understanding, and appreciating other cultures is a piece of me growing into that woman. Coming across this scholarship has been an amazing resource. Coincidentally, one of the main policies of being an effective social worker is to be culturally aware. Being able to receive my passport would allow me the opportunity to gain knowledge internationally. Immersing myself in the cultures of someone else would allow me to display even more how much my lifelong goals are connected.”
Ashley Hills
Georgia College and State University
Future study abroad destination: Spain
“The first place I want to visit and learn more about is Spain because I have been learning Spanish and the Hispanic culture since I was in the 5th grade. It was in the 6th grade with a fantastic teacher that valued our understanding of why certain traditions and practices originated. I wanted to know more about their culture, including the celebrations and cuisine; this was different from what I had ever seen or learned about, so it captured my interest.
Immersing myself in another culture, in my opinion, is one of the most critical steps in understanding other people’s way of living and their reality. I will not only have a chance to see it for myself but experience it to the fullest extent. This opportunity will allow me to gain knowledge that otherwise would be unobtainable just through learning and reading about other cultures.”
Connor McQuillan
Loyola University
Future study abroad destinations: Ireland, Denmark, Rome
“I first developed an interest in learning about other cultures after the World Scout Jamboree back in 2019, where two of my friends and I would go around talking to people from other countries. We enjoyed learning about their daily lives, from how they did school to just going to the store. It was also interesting to be allowed to tag along during their daily activities and learn how they handled different problems. My friends and I were also able to teach them about common things people from the United States do, and in return, they gave us similar info about their countries.
I chose to study abroad course for the summer of 2023 because I want to learn more about different cultures, and ways of life. My goal is to talk to locals, make friends with natives, and also learn a little of the native langue while I'm there. I also hope to be able to gain an idea of how different cultures' daily lives compare to the United States (what I am used to). I also hope to learn more about being responsible, spending money wisely, and time management.”
Eddie Burgess III
Loyola University
Future study abroad destination: Amsterdam
“Exposing myself to different ideas and beliefs can help me challenge my own views and help me become more accepting of others. It would also improve my language skills. Immersing myself in a culture where a different language is spoken can improve my ability to communicate with people from different countries.
I believe that travel is a powerful tool for personal growth and can broaden one's perspectives and deepen their understanding of the world. I would seek out opportunities to travel to new countries and experience their cultures first-hand. I would visit museums, attend cultural events, and participate in local customs and traditions. I would also seek out opportunities to meet and interact with local people, learning about their lives and perspectives. In addition to these personal experiences, I would use my travels to further my education and career goals.”
Elise Robinson
Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
Future study abroad destination: Santiago, Chile
“I would also use [my passport] to travel abroad to various countries as my dream is to be a digital nomad and explore all the world has to offer, with inspiration from my late aunt it would feel as if I am living vicariously through her or carrying on her "legacy". In my future years of University, I will use my passport to apply for internships abroad upon my graduation which would be the foundation to jump-start my career. My passport would be the building block to sustain my future career and personal goals, which include working remotely as a PR professional whilst traveling to countries far and wide that differ in culture, experiences, and more.“
Haneefah Jones
Case Western Reserve University
Future study abroad destination: London, England
“The opportunity to be fully immersed in an environment that is unlike one that I have ever been around before is the perfect way for me to grow. In this way, I have no other choice but to go out and experience the different cultures around me. I am hoping that by traveling to new places I will be able to put myself out there and hopefully set an example for others like me. Before attending college, I had never traveled alone. Surrounding myself with unfamiliar cultures will be the perfect challenge for me to grow independence as well as my understanding of others around the world.”
Justin Singleton
University of Memphis
Future study abroad destination: Paris, France
“Having a passport will motivate me to travel. The very first passport stamp I will have will be from Paris, France. I will have the opportunity to study social work for a month at the Ecole Pratique de Service Social located in Paris, France. Every year afterward, I would make it a personal goal to travel outside the United States of America to a country every year until I am unable to travel anymore. This is important to me as I am the only person in my family to have never traveled beyond the contingent 48 states. I would also like to take advantage of the additional scholarships that are made available for students that will study abroad.”
Milana Sacco
Case Western Reserve University
Future study abroad destination: London, England
“ I have not had the opportunity to travel outside of the States, so this trip will grant me a lot of firsts including my first flight, first time being in another country, first time using a currency I do not understand and first time being surrounded by a culture I am not familiar with. Many of these firsts have scary elements. I understand that there will probably many times where I find myself way outside of my comfort zone. As scary as that is it is also an exciting prospect. I hope that learning to navigate airports, a new city, passport applications, etc. will help give me life experience. I not only want to learn about the rich history of London, but I also want to build self-confidence and prove to myself that I am capable of stepping outside of my comfort zone and being adventurous.”
Maizy Windham
Case Western Reserve University
Future study abroad destination: Barcelona, Spain
“I would aim to use my passport to travel to other places to better understand other cultures as well.
Immersing myself in the Spanish culture will allow me to become a better communicator, a skill that is essential for all educators. By committing myself fully to developing a better grasp of the Spanish language, I will have the opportunity to engage with people in a personal and understanding manner. Since Spanish is my second language, communicating every day will require an additional layer of patience in all of my interactions. ”
Mary Troupe
Georgia College State University
Future study abroad destination: Paris, France
“The opportunity to be awarded a passport would be life-changing for my future. I know that the study abroad program in Paris would only be the first of many adventures. I am about to turn twenty-one and I hope to fill my passport with as many stamps as it will hold! While I have loved the travels that I have experienced within the United States, I think travel abroad would be the next level of adventure that I am seeking to experience. The Art department at my college has taken many groups on this trip that I am applying for and the student’s accounts of the trip has truly been life-changing for their goals as well as careers. I know this would benefit me as well. To be afforded the opportunity to immerse myself in the French culture, art, and environment would be simply amazing!”
Myiesha Sledge
University of Memphis
Future study abroad destination: San Antonio, Costa Rica
“Studying abroad will not only help me in my future career but also help me in my main professional goal which is to help kids know no matter what background they come from. Studying abroad will give me firsthand insight into the many differences people may have from my own.”
Nadia Frederick
Loyola University
Future study abroad destination: South Korea
“Traveling the world has always been a dream of mine. Something that seemed so far out of reach. Growing up in the South and in America, I can be very closed off to the world and other cultures. If I was awarded this scholarship, I would use my passport wisely and explore as many different and unique places as possible. When I was younger my grandmother would tell me tons of stories about how she traveled to Japan and then Korea and even London. Now that she's older and has had kids and lived her life, she wishes she could have traveled more. I'm a college student at a small school in Louisiana. I want more than just to travel down the coast or two, three hours away to vacation. I want to explore and travel as much as I can like my grandma. Living a successful and adventurous life is my goal; with this scholarship, I believe I can do that.”
Olyvya Boatright
Loyola University
Future study abroad destination: Copenhagen, Denmark
“My initial, and most impending, reason for applying for a passport is, of course, to participate in a study abroad program in Copenhagen as part of my history program. But I do not plan to let the use of my passport stop at that. Along with hopefully participating in other, potentially full-semester study abroad programs to enhance my academic growth, my lifetime plans have always included travel. Understanding other cultures is something that I hold in high value, as it increases my understanding of the world, history, and promotes tolerance. I hope to have my passport to continue this effort in expanding my perspective of the world.”
Sabian Burke
Case Western Reserve University
Future study abroad destination: Italy
“Immersing myself in another culture would affect my personal growth by allowing me to expand my horizons and learn about another culture other than my own. I would be able to think with a more open mindset allowing my mind to come up with solutions to problems that I have never thought of before. By going to Italy and experiencing the farm-to-table cooking, the amazing scenery, and the language I could expand my mind beyond my American way of thinking and feel what it is like to learn about a new culture. Going to Italy can allow me to become more adaptable, and independent, and gain cultural awareness.”