Communications student awarded free study abroad trip

By Garrett Whaley

During International Education Week every November, one student from each Delaware Technical Community College campus is chosen for a free study abroad experience of their choosing.

Communications student Jenna Hitchens said she was already planning on attending a study abroad trip next semester to Scotland and had paid the down payment for the trip the day before winning the scholarship.

“I found out that I won the scholarship when my boss texted me in class,” Hitchens said. “I didn’t believe him at first, but then I received an e-mail informing me that I was the lucky winner.”

Scotland isn’t the first study abroad trip Hitchens will experience as a student; she traveled to Russia two years ago for study abroad.

“I have gone on a study abroad before and it was such a life changing experience for me,” Hitchens said. “I grew so much as a person.”

International Education Coordinator Amy Russell said anytime students attend a Global Understanding Series event and sign-in, their name automatically is entered into the drawing for a free study abroad experience.

Hitchens had attended a Global Understanding event to watch her professor, Dr. Heather Madden speak about a trip to Ireland where she signed-in.

“I am still in shock, I hardly ever win anything – raffles or 50/50s,” Hitchens said. “So, this was a great win.”

Ninety-two students were entered into the drawing for a free study abroad experience, Russell said.

“There were at least 14 Global Understanding events this semester,” Russell said. “So, a student had a 1-in-14 chance of winning the free study abroad trip if they attended every event.”

Even though the free study abroad experience has passed, there are plenty of scholarships available to the students, Russell said.

Contact International Education Coordinator Amy Russell for more information on scholarships.