International Travel Grants for Students
The Dean Rusk International Studies Program awards grants to Davidson students for service, research, internships, study, and exploratory and reflective learning abroad.
Grants are awarded twice each year–once in the fall, for projects during winter break, and once in the spring, for summer projects. Applications are reviewed by the Dean Rusk International Studies Program staff and by the International Education Committee.
The goals of the student-grant program are to facilitate student interaction with diverse cultures, languages, environments, standards of living, and political climates, and to encourage independent student research. To achieve this, the International Education Committee has shown a strong preference for long-term independent projects that have a high degree of cultural interaction. Dean Rusk funds are not, with very few exceptions, to be used to pay for external program fees. Students seeking to apply for Dean Rusk grants are required to meet with the Dean Rusk Office to categorize their proposal.
"After my time in Guatemala and Mexico, I feel that I have grown and matured. I’ve learned what it means to truly push myself out of my comfort zone and expand my strengths."
Maggie Kinton ‘24
Guatemala & Mexico
"While in Jordan, the things I was learning were not just important in the classroom but in my everyday life. I didn’t just travel, I really lived in a new place. For the first time in my life, I felt truly independent."
Siobhan Kelley '26
Amman, Jordan
"While the journey was filled with moments of joy and connection, it was also punctuated by challenges and moments of personal growth. From grappling with homesickness to navigating cultural differences, each obstacle became an opportunity for learning and self-discovery. I learned to embrace discomfort, to lean into uncertainty, and to find strength in vulnerability."
Kishan Vyas '24
India
