Enter the Study Abroad Award Competition for the chance to showcase your exceptional writing skills, gain recognition within the university community, and earn one of six $2,000 cash awards to offset the cost of your international experience.
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications who have been accepted to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln sponsored international experience.
The 2024 application has closed. The application will re-open in late fall 2025.
About the contest
The Study Abroad Award Competition is designed to challenge students to articulate the significant benefits of international experience. In an increasingly interconnected world, study abroad opportunities are more important than ever for students, offering them the chance to gain global perspectives, develop cross-cultural competencies and enhance their adaptability in diverse environments.
These experiences are not just about learning in a different country; they are about immersing oneself in new cultures, understanding different worldviews and bringing those insights back to one's academic and professional life. The competition tests your ability to make a compelling case for why international experiences are vital in shaping well-rounded, globally-aware individuals who can navigate and contribute to a complex world.
By participating, students have the opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of study abroad and advocate for its role in fostering leadership, innovation and a broader understanding of the world.
Competition Schedule:
The 2024 competition has closed
Additional Information
Eligibility
The competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications who have been accepted to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln sponsored international experience.
To Enter
Submit a 1,000-word essay that demonstrates how funds will support your international experience.
Judging criteria
The College of Journalism and Mass Communications Scholarship and Student Success Committee reviews all applicants and determines which student is most deserving and shows great promise in writing.
About the prize
The winners will receive one of six $2,000 cash awards to offset the cost of their international experience.
The Judges
Registration for the 2024 competition has closed.
The Study Abroad Scholarship Competition is supported by the Deb Fiddelke Fund and the George and Eva Grimes Memorial Fund.
About George and Eva Grimes
George Grimes, born in Omaha in 1894, and Eva Miller Grimes, born in Fremont in 1896, both attended the University of Nebraska in 1914. George funded his education by teaching at a school on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, emphasizing good citizenship and intellectual pursuits. Eva, an active participant in the suffrage movement, became the first female editor-in-chief of the Daily Nebraskan. Their professional careers were marked by significant contributions to journalism, including George’s service as an Army officer and journalism instructor during WWI, and Eva’s pioneering advice column. Their combined efforts in managing and eventually owning newspapers, such as the Oxnard Press-Courier, and their commitment to community service, underscored their dedication to the field. Their legacy is honored through the George and Eva Grimes Memorial Competition, which was established by their sons, Lee, George and David in 1991.
