Mohawk Students Receive International Scholarships To Study In Ireland And Africa

Two Mohawk College students have each received $2,500 Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarships to study abroad for four months this summer. The scholarships are funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and program-related expenses related to international placements.

Jenna Marie Merrick departs for Ireland on a work experience connected to her Child & Youth Worker program at the Finglas Youth Resource Centre in Dublin. The Centre offers affordable and mostly free programs for youth including horseback riding, arts and crafts, sports, fishing, trips around Dublin and much more. Ms. Merrick will work with young people from ten to eighteen, and assist in street work engaging youth about the Centre's programs. "I cannot wait to gain exposure to a new culture, and further my experience working with youth" says Jenna, adding "words cannot fully express how grateful I am for this wonderful scholarship."

Alyshah Kaba, a Mohawk-McMaster Bachelor of Science - Nursing student, will pursue her fourth year clinical nursing placement in the Labour and Delivery Maternity unit at The Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Ms. Kaba's future goal is to build the capacity of nursing institutions to address cultural diversity stating: "I am particularly interested in the role of women in resource deprived environments and the devastating social, emotional and physical effects of the maternal morbidity and mortality on both the family and the community." She further believes that "by taking part in this international experience, I will be able to not only understand the unique importance of cultural preservation and accommodation, but I will be able to apply these concepts into my professional nursing practice when I return to Hamilton."

Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac affirmed, "We are enormously proud of both Jenna Merrick and Alysha Kaba, wish them the best for their adventures abroad. We are also very appreciative that this opportunity was enabled by Ontario's Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities."

For further information please contact:
         Ronald Holgerson
         Vice President, Marketing, Communications, Alumni & Government Relations
         905-575-2131