Langley student Emily Haugen will be heading to Vienna for a semester after winning one of the Premier’s International Scholarships.
Haugen was one of three Kwantlen Polytechnic University students among the 50 from around B.C. who received the support to study in more than 20 different countries. The goal is to help them achieve their education goals and for B.C. communities to benefit from their global knowledge and experiences on their return.
“I was very excited since I know studying abroad is very expensive so scholarships are very helpful,” says Haugen, who is in the third year of a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing.
“I chose KPU because of the small class sizes and the ability to get to know your teachers, which has been the most valuable part of KPU for me. The professors get to know you on a personal level and if you stay connected after the semester they are still willing to help you.”
After Haugen finished her last study abroad at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, her instructor helped her land a job as a digital content coordinator at the Division of Family Practice, a non-profit that supports family physicians.
“Once I graduate with my BBA I would like to continue to work in the non-profit sector,” adds Haugen. “I think it is a unique experience to get the opportunity to use a marketing degree for a good cause, and as a feminist and activist, I would like to work in a field such as that.”
While Haugen gets ready to take business classes in Vienna, Austria, in Fall 2020, she has some advice for other students looking to study abroad.
“If any students ever think studying abroad is not possible for them due to costs, I would suggest doing it anyways. Apply for scholarships, grants, student loans, etc. there are so many ways to fund your exchange and it will be so worth it both personally and for your career.”
The other students at KPU who won the Premier’s scholarship include fashion design program student Milo Coulthard, who is heading to Denmark, and fine arts student Melanie Costa, who will study in England.
Find more information about global scholarships here.
Story by Sucheta Singh