Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

Host Country: Germany

"Being selected means I get to worry less about things I shouldn’t be worried about: finances. While abroad, I want to fully engage with the culture and community around me without thinking about how I am going to make ends meet. Being selected means I can easy afford textbooks needed for academics, allowing me to dedicate more time toward my studies.”

Hometown: Columbia, SC

Host Country: Columbia

Being selected for this scholarship is a tremendous honor. I view it as a vote of confidence in my purpose and potential. As a Black student studying abroad, this opportunity allows me to immerse myself in the richness of culture and identity beyond U.S. borders. It is an amazing opportunity for me to dive deeper into the complexities and nuances of the African diaspora's history, culture, and expression. I am grateful for the privilege to use my new perspectives and knowledge to enhance my community and inspire others.”

Hometown: Houston, TX

Host Country: Japan

“It means having the opportunity to explore the word and be able to share my experiences with everyone around me. As well as learn more form a business perspective for my future endeavors.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Host Country: France

"Being selected means a lot. I think it shows that my desire to learn and develop while studying abroad is apparent, and I am glad to be recognized for my ambition. I will demonstrate that I was the right choice for this opportunity and make the most of it in order to make those who put their faith in me proud. "

Hometown: Pontiac, MI

Host Country: Cyprus

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be selected for this scholarship. To me, receiving this scholarship puts me one step closer towards my future career goals. I am excited to travel to Cyprus and learn about the Cypriot government while simultaneously taking a Greek language course, all while immersing myself in the island in person. I will be able to enhance my skills of networking and work on cultural immersion, which is essential to being a confident diplomat.”

Hometown: Miami, FL

Host Country: Denmark

“Being selected for this scholarship is an incredible honor and a meaningful step toward my long-term career goals. I aspire to work at the intersection of global health, neuroscience, and community wellness, with a focus on serving underserved populations. Studying abroad will allow me to gain a broader cultural perspective and a deeper understanding of how health systems function around the world, knowledge that I hope to bring back to my future work in research and medicine. This scholarship affirms that my goals matter and that I am part of a powerful movement to expand what’s possible for African American students.”

Hometown: Houston, TX

Host Country: England

“Being selected for the Joy World Wide Scholarship honestly means so much to me. Studying abroad in London is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and this scholarship takes a huge weight off my shoulders. Just knowing that I have support from people who believe in what I’m doing makes all the difference—it’s not just about the money, it’s the opportunity to show up fully and focus on learning, growing, and making the most out of this semester.”

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Host Country: South Korea

"Being selected means that as a first- generation student, I get to achieve what I thought was impossible. I hope to learn more about storytelling during my travels to be able to represent underrepresented voices. As a filmmaker, I want to share my story and experience traveling aboard to encourage other young Black women interested in studying aboard. As a Black woman, sharing my story is essential because our experiences abroad can differ significantly from those of our peers. We often lack representation in study aboard narratives which can be discouraging. Through my lens, I want to empower students by showing them that global education is not only possible but deeply enriching.”

Hometown: McDonough, GA

Host Country: Thailand

“Being selected for this scholarship would mean much more than financial support—it would represent a vote of confidence in my goals, identity, and desire to grow through international experience. Studying abroad is not only an academic opportunity for me, but a personal journey to connect more deeply with my heritage and understand different perspectives beyond my own.”

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Host Country: France

“Being selected for the Joy Worldwide Scholarship means achieving a life long dream of studying abroad in France. Rennes will allow me to see how other countries approach policy, community activism, and social justice, which connects directly to the international nonprofit organization I hope to work with after graduation. This will give me the opportunity to simultaneously advance my professional and personal growth without worrying about financial strain. It will be my first time leaving the United States, and I know that immersing myself in a new culture and language will challenge me in ways I can’t yet imagine.”

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Host Country: Switzerland

“Being selected means knowing that I will have people supporting me and rooting for me to get an education and gain experiences while I'm abroad. It also means my vision of a future where students from low-income households can pursue higher education in a foreign country will be easier to realize because it's being shared by others. With the scholarship I won't struggle as much financially, and can take my time immersing in the culture without worrying if my finances will make it to the end of the month. It also means that I've been entrusted as an individual expected to bring about change, and it motivates me to meet all expectations.”

Hometown: Trenton, NJ

Host Country: Spain

“Being selected for this scholarship means the a lot to me. I do not take the opportunity to study abroad lightly. It is something I have worked toward for years, but never had the financial access to pursue. This is actually my third time applying to a study abroad program. I was accepted before but had to decline because the additional costs were not covered by my financial aid package. Now, entering my senior year, I knew this would be my last chance to try. I committed to doing everything I could to make it happen. Receiving this scholarship brings me one step closer to that dream. It is a reminder that even when things do not work out the first or second time, there is still value in trying again.”

Hometown: Oceanside, California

Host Country: Ghana

“Being selected will help me recognize the barriers that people face because of different predisposing and reinforcing factors in their environment and society. Through this abroad experience, I hope to learn more medical terminology, and learn techniques of how healthcare professionals treat patients through empathy and knowledge. I want to utilize these skills and lessons learned, so I can begin gaining direct patient care hours when I return to the United States.”

Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS

Host Country: Scotland

“Being selected is an opportunity that extends beyond academics; it is a journey of personal growth, cultural immersion, and intellectual discovery. Scotland has a rich history, world-renowned universities, and a vibrant culture which is why it’s the perfect environment for me to broaden my horizons and challenge myself in ways that a traditional educational path may not provide. The combination of academic excellence, stunning landscapes, and the deep-rooted traditions of Scotland makes it my ideal study-abroad destination.”

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Host Country: South Korea

“I am grateful for the chance to study and work creatively alongside like-minded individuals on a similar path as I. It is my greatest hope to walk away from Korea with a newfound understanding of not only myself but this developing world around me, and reignite that hidden fire within. I’ve prayed and asked for more clarity in my life, so I am exteremly thankful with the opportunity to study abroad. I now have the ability to build and develop an even clearer vision for the future I desire—guided by the passions I serve.”

Hometown: Mobile, AL

Host Country: France

“This opportunity feels personally meaningful. I’m originally from Mobile, Alabama, where my mom’s side of the family is from, and my dad’s side is from New Orleans. Both cities share deep historical and cultural ties, and from my teens to now, I’ve spent a lot of time in New Orleans, surrounded by its vibrant Creole heritage, food, music, and festivities. That experience really sparked my interest in exploring different cultures and was the start of my love for traveling. Studying in France, where so much of my family’s history and even my French last name traces back, feels like a full circle moment and an incredible opportunity to connect more deeply with my roots while continuing to grow through new experiences.”

Hometown: Waltham, MA

Host Country: Greece

“Studying abroad in Greece is the perfect location for me to develop my personal and academic goals. Greece’s unique nature, being the birthplace of democracy, an EU member nation, and a hub for international migration, creates an optimal environment for me to both learn and grow. Having a concentration in ethics and social justice urges me to think critically yet compassionately, and through this experience, I will be able to make my desired impact. Studying abroad will be both transformative for me educationally, but also humanistically, giving me the opportunity to flourish into an even bolder, more culturally aware, and educated individual.”