Caterpillar Foundation Awards Funding to Valparaiso University to Support Study Abroad in China

Valparaiso University has received funding from the Caterpillar Foundation to support study abroad in China, as a partner in the United States Department of State’s 100,000 Strong Initiative.

Recognizing the importance of studying abroad to an increasingly globalized economy, the Caterpillar Foundation has designated funds to help those students who wish to study abroad in China but might not otherwise be able to have the opportunity. Study Abroad programs have a long history at Valparaiso University, with the first program in Cambridge and Germany going back nearly 50 years. The study center in Hangzhou, China, is celebrating 25 years as one of the longest running academic exchanges between the United States and China.

Valparaiso University will be able to award nine $5,000 scholarships, on behalf of the Caterpillar Foundation, for students to study at the Hangzhou study center. Valpo received this award in recognition of its strong relationships with Chinese institutions of higher learning and the success of its exchange programs.

The scholarships are open to full-time undergraduate students with majors in business, computer science, or engineering. During the semester and as part of the program, students will enroll in undergraduate courses in Chinese language, Chinese culture and civilization, and in-country internships and/or independent study courses when applicable.

Students who enroll in the fall semester program will take Chinese language courses at Zhejiang University’s International College. Special consideration may be given to engineering students who are unable to study abroad in the fall semester and instead wish to study and intern in well-established companies in Hangzhou for the intensive summer program in 2015.

President Obama announced the development of the 100,000 Strong Initiative in November 2009 as an effort to increase the number of Americans who study in China, citing the strategic importance of the U.S.-China relationship.

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