Hometown: New Orleans

Host country: Argentina

“I hope to gain even more open-mindedness and just an overall increase in knowledge and confidence as I experience a new country and culture for the first time. I hope that by interacting and meeting a lot of new people, I can not only learn a new language, but we can really take the time to understand one another and our different cultures and perspectives.”

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Host country: Australia

“Through studying abroad, I hope to gain knowledge and experiences that will allow me to contribute to protecting marine ecosystems and endangered species. Learning about international conservation strategies and environmental policies will help me better understand how global cooperation can address environmental problems such as climate change and ocean pollution.”

Hometown: Maple Heights, OH

Host Country: Seoul

“I want to challenge myself by getting out of what feels “normal” and comfortable by traveling to another part of the planet and exploring it on my own. I can be socially anxious and it causes me to limit myself. But by traveling to a whole new country, I am bound to not know or fit the social norms and get things wrong. This will drive me towards accepting my differences and learning from my mistakes to grow into a more confident person.”

*USAC Scholarship Match Recipient

Hometown: Riverdale, GA

Host Country: Ghana

“During my study abroad experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of global health issues and the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes. I also want to strengthen my communication and adaptability skills by engaging with students and communities from diverse backgrounds. Immersing myself in another culture would challenge me to step outside my comfort zone, become more independent, and develop a greater appreciation for perspectives different from my own.”

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Host Country: Norway and Sweden

“Studying abroad in Norway and Sweden is an opportunity that represents both personal and academic growth for me. As a first-generation college student, I have always wanted to push myself beyond my comfort zone and experience the world from a broader perspective. I am excited to immerse myself in Scandinavian culture, meet new people, and gain experiences that will help me grow into a more confident, independent, and globally minded individual.”

Hometown: Grenada, MS

Host Country: Spain

“Being selected by Joy Worldwide gives me the opportunity to grow both personally and spiritually while serving alongside people who are passionate about making a meaningful impact. It would represent more than just being chosen for a program or position—it would be a chance to use my skills, experiences, and faith to encourage others and contribute to a mission centered on hope, service, and dreams.”

Hometown: Paterson, NJ

Host country: Brazil

“Professionally, this program aligns perfectly with my career goals. My long-term ambition is to travel the world documenting stories from underrepresented, low-income communities. I want to use my multi-platform production skills to help share the voices and experiences of those who are often overlooked. This trip will serve as a meaningful stepping stone toward that goal by allowing me to learn from the people of Brazil and observe how they express themselves—whether through art, daily life, or shared traditions that define their identity.”

Hometown: Metairie, LA

Host country: Seoul

“Being selected for this scholarship brings me so much joy! I am honored to be representing Joy Worldwide! Being selected for this scholarship, it shows me that I am worth people helping and that my dreams are important. I want to empower my community by showing them that even though the statistics are against us, we can still prevail. Even though this world was not built for us, we can still make our path anyway. Pick up a shovel and start digging until we reach our gold, and thankfully, I already dug the first scoop.”

Hometown: Alexandria, LA

Host country: Belize

“Studying abroad to learn more about Food Animal, Marine, & Wildlife Medicine in Belize through Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine is an opportunity for me to expand my understanding of veterinary medicine, agriculture, and global community development while experiencing a culture different from my own. This will be my first time traveling internationally, and I look forward to stepping outside of my comfort zone, learning from professionals in the field, and gaining hands-on experiences that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting.”