Amélie Malone

Third Year Gilman Scholarship Applicant

How did you first learn about the fellowship opportunity?

I have always known about studying abroad since my first year because it was heavily advertised within the admissions application process at Loyola. When I had an interest to study abroad in my sophomore year, I started researching programs on Go Global I might be interested in and it seemed financially feasible for me. Once I found the program I liked; I created a study abroad advising visit through navigate. With the program I want to do Andrew Weber, and he informed me of the scholarship opportunities, like the Gilman Scholarship Program. SIT also provided me with different scholarship opportunities. 

How do you think the fellowship aligns with your academic and career goals or, what specific goals did you hope to achieve through the fellowship?

South Africa: Social Justice & Activism Internship through SIT study abroad will create pathways for me. As an Honors African Diaspora and Psychology major, who has recently applied to Loyola Chicago’s International Affairs Master’s Program, this study abroad opportunity encompasses everything I want to do in the future in furthering my career development in human rights and advocacy. I have also applied to scholarships like the Gilman Scholarship that could help fund my passion for advocacy. Getting hands- on experience, furthering my knowledge, and mentorship throughout this program will go a long way for my career and personal development. Since a child I have always found happiness in being a person for others, which is why I look forward to building connections, understanding, and representing the values I hold within the space of this study abroad opportunity. This immersive study abroad opportunity will allow me to engage with South Africa's rich history through a tour of the prison on Robben Island that held President Nelson Mandela and other activists. Excursions to Robben Island, the District Six Museum, other monuments to South Africa's history of social justice movements. In learning across cultures, I aspire to gain professional skills and knowledge of international affairs to be successful in my future advocacy career.