PHILANTHROPY
MISSION: POSSIBLE WHEN SONYA BRUNK ‘21 first traveled abroad, she could have never guessed that her 15-week trip to New Zealand would be cut short by a global pandemic. But for this senior, she couldn’t have been more happy with the seven and a half weeks she did get. Knowing how important going abroad was, Sonya reached out to her advisors at Guilford early to start exploring her options. When an ecology program in New Zealand with field opportunities was mentioned, she jumped at the opportunity. The only problem was finding the financial means to travel across the world. Holly Peterson, Associate Professor of Biology, stepped in and told Sonya about the Environmental Studies
“[The scholarship] allowed me
Distinguished Scholar Award — which Sonya excitedly applied to and was
to not only study abroad, but to gain so many experiences I would never get anywhere else.”
awarded in time for her trip. The meritbased scholarship gives students the opportunity to study abroad through programs that demonstrate values and
— Sonya Brunk ’21
interest in the environment. Upon arrival this spring, Sonya was able to study the ecology of New Zealand and the environmental laws
experiences like Sonya’s.
and policies enforced to keep endemic
Zoom the second half of the semester.
species protected. While the students
This trip inspired her to pursue a
had some time in the classroom, most of
master’s degree after graduation,
I have ever received. It allowed me
their experience was spent in the field
concentrating on conservation biology.
to not only study abroad, but to gain
— from kayaking to mangrove mapping to snorkeling.
Scholarships are one of the most
“It is probably one of the best gifts
so many experiences I would never
sought after resources in higher
get anywhere else. I have made
education. Guilford students rely on
connections with people across the
earlier than expected, Sonya said they
scholarships to help cover the costs of
globe, something I couldn’t have done
continued to do research and meet via
living, books and experiential learning
without a scholarship.”
Though the group came home
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