Graduate donation allows more students
to benefit from overseas exchanges
Q
Find out how exchanges are helping
broaden our students’ horizons.
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https://qmuexchanges.wordpress.com
MU STUDENTS LOOKING to take part in an overseas
exchange opportunity can now benefit from a
substantial donation from a former student. Lisa
Persdotter Simonyi, who is now based in the US, completed
her BA (Hons) Corporate Communications in 2002 at what
was then Queen Margaret University College. During her time
at the Corstorphine campus, Lisa took part in an overseas
exchange to Ithaca College in New York, an experience she
believes shaped her career and her future.
QMU students can take part in an international exchange during
year three of certain degree courses, and the University has a
number of exchange agreements with universities in Europe,
Canada, USA, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
Maddalena Galloni undertook an exchange to the University of
Massachusetts Amherst whilst studying for her BA (Hons) Business
Management. Discussing the opportunity, she said: “Having the
chance to study abroad is a unique experience. Anyone who is
lucky enough to be offered such an opportunity should take it.
Not only do you get the chance to study at exclusive institutions,
the experiences you gain will truly open your mind, boost your
confidence and pave the way to further opportunities.”
Universities UK International (UUKi), the representative body for
all UK universities which acts in their collective interests globally,
conducts research annually into the benefits of student mobility.
Its 2018 report* looked at the profiles, destinations and outcomes
of students who studied, worked or volunteered abroad as part
of their undergraduate degree. (*Gone International: Expanding
Opportunities Report on the 2015-16 graduating cohort, March
2018).
Every year its findings confirm a positive connection between
outward mobility and improved academic and employment
outcomes. Graduates who were mobile during their degree were:
less likely to be unemployed; more likely to have earned a first
class or upper second class degree; and more likely to be in a
graduate level job earning 6% more than their non-mobile peers.
Lisa announced the $150,000 gift following a trip back to her
alma mater where she conducted the first in a series of talks by
‘Excellent Women’. The series takes its name from the book written
by Dr Tom Begg on the history of the institution that would become
Queen Margaret University. The book recognises the outstanding
work of Louisa Stevenson and Christian Guthrie Wright, founders
of Edinburgh School of Cookery.
The Lisa Persdotter Simonyi Fund will ensure that all students
have the opportunity to have the experience Lisa had to travel
abroad, gain intellectual knowledge and cultural understanding,
regardless of their financial situation. The first cohort of students
in receipt of funding will embark on their travels in autumn 2019.
Lisa Simonyi said: “The opportunity that QMU provided me
with - an exchange programme as a part of my degree - had an
immense impact on me. It changed the trajectory of my academic
aspiration and raised both my vision and ambition for what I wanted
to accomplish in life. It was in equal parts thrilling and testing - a
life altering experience I wish for more people to experience.”
Dr Richard Butt, Deputy Principal at QMU, explained: “We know
that student mobility has a direct impact on employability, and we
therefore want to ensure that exchange prospects are available
to all students who wish to benefit from them.
“We are incredibly grateful to Lisa for this generous donation
which will provide students with an equal chance to pursue exciting
exchange opportunities that will enrich their student experience
and career prospects.” ❒
QMYOU / Supporting Student Development
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