Three students head overseas with study-abroad scholarships

Areas of Study , Global , London , Stories , Stories from Abroad Students | Jan 07, 2013 | Nicole Gesualdo

Three Gabelli School students certainly are glad they applied for the first-ever Wilcha Travel Grant scholarship for study abroad — because they got it!

Jack Donnelly (GSB ’15), Chiara Furfaro (GSB ’14) and Madeleine Sudibya (GSB ’15) head to Europe this month with a little help from the Gabelli School: $2,500 each. They are grateful for the generosity of businessman John S. Wilcha (GSB ’64), whose desire to give back to Fordham created this program to offset the cost of international learning.

As their semester overseas gets rolling, here is a bit about each of our Wilcha grant recipients:

Jack Donnelly

Where: Gabelli School of Business in London
Looking forward to: Experiencing a new culture. “I have never been to Europe before, and living in London for five months will allow me to experience the culture of the U.K.”
Professional advancement: “While in London, I am going to be interning with KPMG U.K. in the international executive services department. This internship will allow me to gain tremendous exposure to a Big Four firm and will showcase how truly global the business world has become.”
The value of scholarships abroad: “I believe [scholarships] will allow more students, who may not be able to study abroad due to finances, the opportunity to travel.”

Chiara Furfaro

Where: Rome (through Loyola University Chicago)
Looking forward to: Personal growth. “I want to be grateful for the little things in life and experience la dolce vita, helping other students appreciate the same journey along the way.”
Professional advancement: “My integration into Italian society presents the opportunity to understand the concepts of how Italians conduct business. Knowledge of proper customs and practices with the context of a global society, specifically in Italy, is vital in the progress of my education.”
The value of scholarships abroad: “Every student should have the opportunity to experience another culture firsthand. Study abroad allows students to not only learn about themselves, but also develop skills and have experiences that a classroom setting cannot provide.”

Madeleine Sudibya

Where: Gabelli School of Business in London
Looking forward to: A broader outlook. “I hope to become more well-rounded and cultured. After experiencing a different society and culture, I hope that I will be able to see the world in a different light and open my mind to possibilities that I may not have otherwise.”
Professional advancement: “The Gabelli School in London program will help me develop the skills and characteristics needed to succeed in finance.”
The value of scholarships abroad: “Offering scholarships for study-abroad programs is very generous. It lessens the financial burden for students, and it provides them with an amazing opportunity to expand their horizons.”

Congratulations to all three of our winners!