A new opportunity from SUNY's Office of Global Affairs resulted in 13 Oswego students receiving new Global Learning for All scholarships.

The scholarship allows for people to travel internationally, and focuses on educational experiences in up to more than 100 countries.

Destini Epps, who received the award as a studio art major, said that she learned a lot through her experience abroad in Japan.

“I’m a citizen of the world now,” Epps said. “I want to be an artist for real and people will know my name... now because I have left America.”

The experience helped reinforce Epps' appreciation of the value of education as well.

“I value education a lot,” Epps said. “I feel like everyone should go to college, at least for a year, just to show themselves they can do it... it forces you to be independent in a way that is optional.”

Finding the right fit and passion is also important.

“I’ve learned, specifically with college, if it’s hard for you to wake up in the morning, if it’s hard for you to go to class every single day, like you just can’t get yourself to go to that class, or you hate doing the homework, you’re probably in the wrong major,” Epps said. “And to that, I say start from scratch. What do you value in your life? What are you so passionate about that you could do it for free? And if you still don't know the answers to any of those questions, study abroad and find the answers.”

Beyond Oswego, Epps is planning to teach, and is passionate about it.

“I think that going to Oswego has helped me stay grounded [and] passionate about being an educator,” Epps said. “I really do like the teachers in Oswego, like being here has really made me appreciate teachers in Oswego, truly.”

Opening a new world

Joey Tse, the director of the university’s Educational Opportunity Program, said that the award is significant for students in the program, and supports those who might not otherwise be able to gain a more robust college experience.

“Studying abroad is an additional cost that is usually the main barrier for students to want to go study abroad,” Tse said. “We plan with the students, with the financial aid office, and the Office of International Education and Programs, and we try to get the scholarship and grants so that they can cover that cost and have the experience.”

Tse said that this scholarship is a brand new opportunity for EOP students looking to travel the world.

“Once we found out about it, we told all the students that I knew who were thinking about studying abroad for the upcoming year,” Tse said.

“This funding from the SUNY Office of Global Affairs was in recognition of the special hardship and needs related to pandemic-era disruptions and delays that prevented worthy students from studying abroad,” said Joshua McKeown, the associate provost for international education and programs. “That’s what I consider important.”

McKeown also said that the award is significant towards the Oswego community, and for pursuing a new world of options.

“It was a terrific surprise and a wonderful opportunity that the SUNY Office of Global Affairs and campuses like Oswego were able to provide to selected students,” McKeown said.

The opportunity will provide hundreds of students from economically disadvantaged areas with more access to expand their education globally. With a lot of attention on global education in recent years, students will be able to see a different perspective of education during their travels.

For more information on this and other avenues on international study, visit oswego.edu/international.

–- Written by Ryan Ravenell of the Class of 2024