Three students in the Mother Marion Bascom Honors program will experience the spring semester abroad at Oxford University in Oxford, England. Students will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the world, different cultures and themselves, thanks to the Mother Marion Bascom Honors Scholarship Fund, a tribute to Mother Bascom, RSCJ, who developed the program based on her own experience at Oxford.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents who have this experience will learn to live and study outside of their comfort-zone,\u201d said Alden Craddock, Associate Vice President and Director of the Bascom Honors Program<\/a>. \u201cThey will be immersed in a world renown city and an educational system that will provide them with a new understanding of their abilities and challenge them to grow as people and scholars.\u201d<\/p>\n The students, Jake Billingsley, Paula Curran and Madeline Seidenzahl, will depart for Oxford in January for a three-month academic experience. Students will enroll in courses of study through the \u201cDon\u201d system of Oxford University<\/a>, which resembles an independent study with specially selected university faculty suited to the students\u2019 areas of interest.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m most excited about the courses I\u2019ll be taking there,\u201d says Seidenzahl, a third-year English<\/a> and Communications<\/a> major. \u201cBecause it\u2019s a tutorial system instead of a traditional classroom setting, I\u2019ll be working one-on-one in my studies, which seems like a fantastic way to learn. Also, I\u2019ve never been out of the country, and I\u2019m so excited to live somewhere new and take in a new place.\u201d<\/p>\n To apply for the award, students had to submit a letter of interest, along with academic samples and references. \u201cTwo or three students each year are selected based on their accomplishments. Students apply for the scholarship and a committee evaluates and determines the recipients,\u201d says Craddock.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that there are only three people chosen makes me proud of myself, and I want to live up to the title of it,\u201d says Curran, a second-year history<\/a> major. \u201cI just want to represent Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPhighly because I think it is amazing they give out this scholarship. I\u2019m so grateful for it, and I want to do my best and learn as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Billingsley, a second-year student majoring in English, says his love for writing motivated him to apply for the scholarship. He was honored and thrilled when he learned he was chosen for the opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that study abroad will positively impact me. I haven\u2019t done it yet, but I think we learn best when we are outside of our comfort zones,\u201d Billingsley says.<\/p>\n Maryville\u2019s Bascom Honors Scholarship Fund supports sophomore, junior and senior Honors students for a study abroad term at Oxford University. Up to three awards of $2,500 each may be awarded annually.<\/p>\n