Q&A with a Gilman Scholarship Winner
Tsun Wai (Anthony) Fu, DMSB ’19, earned the Gilman Scholarship, an award sponsored by the US Department of State, to fund a study abroad experience in Summer 2016. We asked Anthony, a finance major from Newton, MA, to discuss his experience applying for the scholarship and studying abroad.
What drew you to the study abroad program that you chose?
The program that I chose was The London School of Economics and Political Science’s Summer School program. I enrolled in two courses: Corporate Strategy and Alternative Investments. I chose LSE because of its location and prestige.
What was your experience of applying for the Gilman Scholarship, and what would you like other students to know about the scholarship?
Initially, I discovered the relevant information on the website of Northeastern’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. The application itself consisted of basic information, an essay, and a follow-on project proposal.
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships helped critique my essay and provided valuable feedback for my revisions. After submitting all the material, I contacted my GEO and financial aid counselors and had them certify my eligibility status. The entire process took around three weeks.
I was placed on the alternate list of recipients. It wasn’t until the day before my departure that the scholarship administrator notified me of my award. My most important advice to prospective applicants would be to submit all application materials in a timely manner. Secondly, notify your counselors early because the certification process can take up to two weeks. Thirdly, stay in contact with the scholarship administrator even if you are not selected in the initial round, as many changes could happen. Finally, I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply!
What was the most surprising or unexpected part of your study abroad experience?
The most surprising part of my study abroad experience was the qualification and diversity of my classmates, especially in the alternative investment course. Most students were either graduate students or young professionals with a few years of industry experience. My classmates were also from all sorts of backgrounds. For example, for my group project, one member was a full time analyst while another was an electrical engineer.
How will this study abroad experience enhance your Northeastern education and contribute to your future career goals?
This experience definitely increased my exposure to different cultures. Not only was I able to learn about my relevant subject from an international perspective, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds. My development of cultural awareness and teamwork skills will definitely enhance my next co-op experience and full time roles in the future.