Education/training
Ryerson student lands inaugural travel awardLike countless other university graduates, Julian Reid will be strapping on a backpack and heading to Europe this summer. But unlike most of his peers, his travels include hitting the books. As the first recipient of a unique student award, he will be studying at a university in Germany. |
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 [ 2007-06-06 ] |
Arts and contemporary studies student Julian Reid will travel and study in Europe for one month this summer, thanks to a unique student travel award established by Ryerson's Professor Arne Kislenko, Department of History. (Dave Upham/Ryerson)
"MANY CULTURES"
"People from all over the world will be converging in a great city," says the Ryerson University student. "Attending the program will be about more than learning about German culture. I'll be able to learn about many cultures."
Reid was selected by a committee of professors to receive the department of history's inaugural History Travel Award. He will spend a month at the Freie Universitat Berlin International Summer University program. "I'll be serving as an ambassador for Ryerson abroad. We're hoping to turn this into an annual thing."
The 23-year-old will receive an independent study credit for his studies in Berlin. The $6,500 award will cover his tuition, accommodation and part of his travel expenses. En route to Germany, Reid plans to visit Poland, France, Belgium and Holland. He has previously visited parts of Western Europe, Cuba and the United States.
Reid is graduating from Ryerson's arts and contemporary studies program. Launched in 2003, it combines the humanities with theoretical approaches and practical skills. Students specialize in history, philosophy, English or French, or in one of four interdisciplinary themes, such as diversity and equity studies.
A member of the program's first graduating class, Reid specialized in global studies. "I'm planning to do graduate studies in law or international relations," the Toronto native says. "This award has added a nice bonus to the undergraduate experience."
The scholarship is particularly special because Reid attended the lecture filmed by TVOntario for the best lecturer competition that ultimately led to the award's creation. "I was thrilled to be present for the winning lecture. Here we are, a couple of years later, and I'm reaping the rewards."
For professor Arne Kislenko, the decision to establish an annual scholarship was a natural one. "There were no particular rules about how the money could be used. It presented a great opportunity, especially for a school coming into its own. Ryerson has been growing by leaps and bounds. It seemed like a logical decision to give it back to the students," he says.
The award combines Kislenko's passion for history and travel. "This award is not only about recognizing student academic achievement," he says. "It was created to encourage Ryerson students to explore the world and further their curiosity in it. The challenges of travel give students an appreciation of global diversity and, at the same time, serve to increase their self-confidence and independence."
The award is not the first initiative Kilslenko has undertaken to encourage students to explore the world. Together with an arts and contemporary studies student, he launched www.back pACS.ca, a website that offers travel tips and provides virtual space for students to share images, blogs and videos of their journeys.
QUICK FACTS
Ryerson University professor Arne Kislenko established the History Travel Award with seed funding from a $10,000 TD Meloche Monnex scholarship awarded to the university after he won TVOntario's Best Lecturer competition in 2005.
Faculty and Ryerson's history department contributed to the scholarship. The provincial government's Ontario Trust for Student Support program matched funds, bringing the endowed award to over $30,000.
To learn more, including how you can contribute, visit www.kislenko.com/com/scholarship.htm.
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