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For Immediate Release
May 28, 2003
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Student Earns
National Awards For Study In Japan
LINCOLN, Neb. - Mike Kuzma of Grand Island wanted
a “breath of fresh air” after completing his first year
at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
That breath of fresh air turned out to be a Japanese
class.
“I just wanted to try something different,”
said Kuzma, who just completed his sophomore year.
His passion for the language has now garnered him
two national scholarships.
Kuzma is one of 160 recipients of the National Security
Education Program (NSEP) Scholarship, which will enable him to study
next year at Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan. More than 800 students
applied nationally for the scholarship.
During his experience abroad, Kuzma will study Japanese,
political science and history. He will live with a host family and
plans to travel to Vietnam and China. He hopes this opportunity
will help with a career in international law.
The NSEP scholarship is designed to provide undergraduate
students with the resources to acquire skills and experience in
countries that are critical to the future security of our nation.
Among the scholarship requirements, Kuzma had to write two essays
on how his chosen field of study benefits the United States’
security and economy. He chose to write about the increased conflict
in North Korea and his passion for law and the Japanese language.
One benefit of this prestigious program is job placement. Kuzma
is guaranteed employment with a federal agency or office involved
in national security affairs that he will be able to take advantage
of within eight years of his study abroad.
Shortly after learning of his NSEP scholarship,
Kuzma was awarded the Asia-Freeman Scholarship, another national
scholarship aimed at increasing opportunities for undergraduates
wanting to study in Asia. According to the Institute of International
Education, only five percent of undergraduate students study in
Asia while over 60 percent of students who chose to study abroad
do so in Europe. Recipients of the Asia-Freeman Scholarship are
expected to share their experiences with their college campuses
upon their return. Kuzma said he plans to assist at Nebraska Wesleyan’s
Cooper Foundation Center for Academic Resources where he will help
other students learn Japanese.
Kuzma has never traveled outside of the United States
— aside from a spring break trip to Mexico.
“I’m a little terrified,” he said.
“But this is such as good opportunity and I’m not one
to be afraid of a challenge.”
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