The International Division is happy to congratulate the graduating 2021–2022 Wisconsin International Scholars and eagerly awaits their plans and goals for the future. Many look forward to volunteering, graduate school, receiving prestigious scholarships, and working in their respective fields.
The Wisconsin International Scholars Program is an undergraduate honors enrichment program that students enroll in before they begin their freshman year at UW–Madison. The program supports students from all majors who wish to add an international dimension to their studies. WIScholars commit to a common core of course work, participate in internationally-minded meetings and events, and can take advantage of study abroad grants to take their WISc experience beyond the United States.
Scholars graduating in 2022 shared their memories of the program and their post-graduate plans:
“I am so excited to graduate with my Bachelor of Science in molecular and cell biology and gender and women’s studies with a certificate in leadership with honors in the major. I completed an honor’s senior thesis and was heavily involved in research during my time as an undergraduate, with multiple professional authorships and presentations. I was the recipient of the Troxell-Glicksman Scholarship and the Leo and Jean Besozzi Scholarship, as well as awards from the 4W Initiative and the Women and Gender Studies Consortium for my thesis work. I will continue my education in the counseling master’s program here at UW–Madison to become a licensed professional counselor.”
“I am a member of Phi Beta Kappa and received the Newman Family Scholarship for International Studies. As the recipient of the Wolff Fellowship, after graduation, I will be volunteering abroad with projects focused on English language programming and economic development. In the future, I plan to attend graduate school and then work on issues of poverty and sustainable development.”
Eryne Jenkins is graduating with a major in biology and environmental studies. She has studied Serbo-Croatian and Chinese.
“I am a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and after my junior year, I was selected as a 2021 Charles B. Rangel Scholar. After graduating in December, I have since moved to Washington, D.C. to work at IREX on the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program. Some of my favorite WISc-memories were made during the ILC dinners at Union South, where we listened to a variety of lectures and ate some good food.”
“After graduation, I will be working as a financial analyst for Stanley Black and Decker. I have enjoyed the friendships that I have gained throughout my 4 years with the WISc-community, both students and staff. I thoroughly enjoyed our ILC dinners where we would listen to a speaker discussing different subjects and topics from all over the world.”
“While attending UW–Madison, I was awarded the Gullickson scholarship and was also given an award by the GNS department for academic achievement in upper-level courses. I plan on staying in Madison for a year or two to gain more experience with research before applying for grad school. My favorite WISc-memory is from this past spring retreat where we were all able to meet in person for the first large event since the pandemic.”
“As I’m finishing up my degrees, I’m currently working as a student teacher at a Chinese immersion school. After graduation, I will be teaching English in Taiwan through the Fulbright program for a year. I have been so honored to receive a Fulbright grant this year, as well as the Ellen & William Fisher Award, a merit scholarship for Chinese majors. In the future, I am hoping to eventually teach Chinese or work at a Chinese immersion school. My favorite WISc-memories are meeting everyone in the program! I was able to make some lifelong friends through the WISc program.”