Scholarships & Student Experiences
Scholarships
Each year, the IDCM program awards multiple Global Learning Scholarships to IDCM students. The scholarships allow recipient students to undertake innovative learning in the international context, spending significant time in a foreign country to complete an internship, conduct independent research, or pursue some other creative learning opportunity that supports the objectives of the IDCM program. Recent winners include:
Liah Gruppelaar Caro
2023
Liah spent three months working with Manna Project International in Ecuador. Living in the Kichwa indigenous community, she was able to see her capstone work in GVPT356 come to life
as she supported community-driven initiatives to educate children, address healthcare needs, and reduce economic disparities.
"I saw firsthand the kind of community-driven efforts I learned about in the IDCM program. The experience has given me a lasting appreciation for appropriate global engagement."
Abigail Furman
2023
Abigail worked for the Kosovo Women’s Network, non-governmental organization working to improve women’s rights in the Balkans. She learned from experts in gender dynamics and had the opportunity to observe and contribute to processes to advance women’s rights. She also took summer courses at RIT-Kosovo.
"Everything I did expanded my worldview. This summer has left me feeling more informed, equipped, and confident as I pursue a career in the field of Conflict and Development."
Synergy Martel
2023
Synergy completed an internship with the Dexus Consulting Group in Kosovo. She worked closely with the Gender Specialist for the Commercial Justice Activity, which aims to advance women’s access to commercial justice. She also contributed to a Gender and Law curriculum for the University of Prishtina and volunteered as a soccer coach.
"I learned skills necessary to tackle complex issues and facilitate positive change, and I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the law enforcement reformation field."
Briana DeRosa
2023
Briana spent the summer in Portugal and Italy, studying the effects of climate change on environmental variability and wildlife conservation. She worked and learned alongside farmers navigating rapidly changing climatic conditions and explored firsthand how desertification affects birds and other wildlife in Europe.
"Spending time among people and in places that are completely new to you allows you to take a humbling step outside of your body and to develop a deeper appreciation for the world."
Sawa Kamara
2022
Sawa organized an internship with the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) in Sierra Leone. During the internship, she worked on a project to encourage women to participate in politics and also contributed to a Gender Equality Women Empowerment policy proposal.
"I have always been interested in expanding opportunities for girls and women. Hearing and reading about these issues is one thing, but learning directly from unemployed women in a low-income context was incredibly eye-opening."
Yasmeen Nekoo
2022
Yasmeen interned with Sembcorp Industries Ltd., a company in Singapore that leverages its sector expertise to deliver innovation solutions that support the global energy transition as well as sustainable development goals. She conducted research on the company's renewable project sites for biodiversity screening and also drafted new Environmental Group Policy Standards for the company.
"This experience helped me tap into my passion for innovative solutions to climate change. I also learned the incredible value of global cooperation."
Daniela Nemi
2022
Daniela took part in an internship with Manna Project International in Ecuador. During her time there, she worked with children in a childcare center, helped develop the curriculum for an English language class for youth, and assisted with a needs assessment in rural, underserved communities.
"I was able to fully immerse myself in the local life and to develop a bond with community members. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life."