Student Spotlights

Hiking in the Forest
(above) By Kailee Matsumura on the ISP Program: BYU Nursing Czech Study Abroad

Why do most BYU students never intern or study abroad? Cost is a big issue. In 2018, we awarded seventy-two students from across campus a Global Opportunity Scholarship—a unique, needs-based award “of last resort” that helps them with the funds they cannot obtain elsewhere. For the first time since the scholarship’s creation in 2015, last year more than half of qualified students were not awarded a scholarship due to lack of funds. Read about six of the lucky students who did receive a scholarship.

JUAN CAMARGO

Major: Economics
Minor: Management and international development
Hometown: Bucaramanga, Colombia
Fun Fact: Transfer student from BYU–Idaho
Program: Global Finance Investment Internship

Juan Camargo had a difficult childhood. His father passed away when he was young, and his mother had to leave the country when he was fourteen to find work. Originally a student at BYU–Idaho, Camargo transferred to BYU in 2017. He was determined to participate in the Global Finance Investment Internship, so he applied for and received a Global Opportunity Scholarship. During his internship, he visited eight countries, met with twenty-five companies’ stakeholders and CFOs, and benefited from eighty-five hours of mentoring and learning. His biggest takeaway from the international experience was to see how each person can become an active participant in solving social problems. He now works at the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance.

MADDY THOMPSON

Major: Communications
Minor: Advertising Design
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Fun Fact: Recently returned missionary
Program: International Advertising and Awards Show Study Abroad

As a recently returned missionary and part-time nanny, Maddy Thompson didn’t feel it would ever be possible to participate in the International Advertising and Award Shows Study Abroad due to the cost and how selective the program was. At the last minute, someone dropped out of the program, and Thompson’s professor nominated her to go. She was awarded a Global Opportunity Scholarship and visited seven countries, worked with real-world clients such as Spotify and Beats by Dre, and attended the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—an opportunity few professionals ever have. Her biggest takeaway from the program was that she felt empowered to make it in the creative industry.

WALTER MOYO

Major: Public health
Minor: International development and ballroom dance
Hometown: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Fun Fact: Convert to the Church
Program: Malawi International Development Internship

When Walter Moyo was five years old, his mother moved to the United States for work. Moyo remained in Zimbabwe until the age of ten. When he joined his mother in the U.S., Moyo did not speak English. He later converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served a mission to Georgia, and then attended BYU. As a BYU student, he applied for the Malawi International Development Internship and, through the help of generous donors, received a Global Opportunity Scholarship. Participating in the internship took him home and helped him more fully value his education.

MAKAYLA BEZZANT

Major: Ancient Near Eastern Studies
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Fun Fact: Oldest of five children
Program: Huqoq Archaeological Field School

As the oldest of five children, Makayla Bezzant was constantly looking for scholarships, Pell Grants, and other resources to aid with financial obligations as a student at BYU. A study abroad was not really an option. Bezzant has always had a love for ancient history, which led her to major in Ancient Near Eastern Studies. In 2018, she was selected as part of a team to travel to Israel to assist with the Huqoq Archaeological Field School dig as a student archaeologist. She was excited to excavate the ancient village and synagogue, which hadn’t been seen for more than 1,500 years. Thanks to the Global Opportunity Scholarship, her dream became a reality, and both her testimony and education were enriched.

SAHALIE DONALDSON

Major: Communications
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Fun Fact: Worked four jobs to save money
Program: London Communications Internship

As the Daily Universe metro editor, Sahalie Donaldson has a goal to become a political journalist. An international internship was very important to Donaldson in reaching that goal. She wanted to participate in the London Communications Internship, so she worked at the Boys and Girls Club, took out a loan, received a Communications Department scholarship, donated plasma, worked as a wedding hostess, took reporting jobs, and taught after school to earn her way. Through the Global Opportunity Scholarship, Donaldson interned at the Mandy Network in London and published multiple articles on their news site. She also made helpful contacts, including her mentor—a journalist with connections at the New York Times.

BRENT ZITZMAN

Major: European Studies
Hometown: Norton, Ohio
Fun Fact: Nontraditional Student
Program: Europe Business Study Abroad

As a thirty-one-year-old married student with two children, Brent Zitzman is what BYU terms a “nontraditional student.” Zitzman started his education in his twenties but got sidetracked and began working full-time to provide for his family. Feeling that something was missing, he took the plunge and went back to school. Zitzman had developed a deep love for Europe on his mission for the Church to Rome, Italy, so when he heard about the Europe Business Study Abroad, he wanted to go. Thanks to the Global Opportunity Scholarship, he participated in the program. Being older than most of the students in the group, he mentored them as the “grandpa.” And he gained direction for his future.