Black Girl in Wales
From the U.S. to the U.K.
Brandi Pikes
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Expressions
This semester I am studying abroad
in Cardiff, Wales at Cardiff University.
Since my freshman year I have known
that I wanted to study abroad. Initially,
I thought about going to France or
Spain, but last year I settled on the United
Kingdom after learning more about
the U.K's popular culture scene. After
hearing Estelle's (from the U.K) song,
"American Boy," which came out last
year I knew this was where I needed to
be.
The next question was where in the
United Kingdom. At first I thought
about studying in London, but after doing
some research I discovered London's
cost of living was very inflated.
So I decided to go to Cardiff, Wales,
which has a rich history and culture of
its own, but is only a three- hour bus
ride to London. Last winter, I applied to
a study abroad program through IFSAButler
University and received my acceptance
in the spring. From then on it
was all about preparing for the program
and securing scholarships to aid the program
costs.
In the spring, I also applied for a
Benjamin A. Gilman International Education
Scholarship, which is sponsored by the United States Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs. In June, I found out I
was one of the recipients for the scholarship.
This scholarship program is funded through
the International Academic Opportunity Act
of 2000. According to their website http://
www.iie.org "The Gilman Scholarship Program
aims to support students who have
been traditionally under-represented in study
abroad program, including but not limited
to, students with high financial need, community
college students, students in underrepresented
fields such as the sciences and
engineering, students with diverse ethnic
backgrounds, and students with disabilities."
The scholarship program is for two and fouryear
college students.
Check out their website for more information
on how to apply. They give out numerous
in Cardiff, Wales at Cardiff University.
Since my freshman year I have known
that I wanted to study abroad. Initially,
I thought about going to France or
Spain, but last year I settled on the United
Kingdom after learning more about
the U.K's popular culture scene. After
hearing Estelle's (from the U.K) song,
"American Boy," which came out last
year I knew this was where I needed to
be.
The next question was where in the
United Kingdom. At first I thought
about studying in London, but after doing
some research I discovered London's
cost of living was very inflated.
So I decided to go to Cardiff, Wales,
which has a rich history and culture of
its own, but is only a three- hour bus
ride to London. Last winter, I applied to
a study abroad program through IFSAButler
University and received my acceptance
in the spring. From then on it
was all about preparing for the program
and securing scholarships to aid the program
costs.
In the spring, I also applied for a
Benjamin A. Gilman International Education
Scholarship, which is sponsored by the United States Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs. In June, I found out I
was one of the recipients for the scholarship.
This scholarship program is funded through
the International Academic Opportunity Act
of 2000. According to their website http://
www.iie.org "The Gilman Scholarship Program
aims to support students who have
been traditionally under-represented in study
abroad program, including but not limited
to, students with high financial need, community
college students, students in underrepresented
fields such as the sciences and
engineering, students with diverse ethnic
backgrounds, and students with disabilities."
The scholarship program is for two and fouryear
college students.
Check out their website for more information
on how to apply. They give out numerous
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