UT Junior Awarded Inclusive Ireland Scholarship to Study Health Policy Abroad
- May 17, 2021
- Jenan Taha
This fall, UT junior Emily Torres will gain hands-on experience in global health policy as one of only eight students from around the country selected for the Inclusive Ireland Scholarship for Fall 2021. With her scholarship, the health and society major will study international health systems and policies at University College Dublin to create a foundation for her future career in global health.
The scholarship is a collaboration between Diversity Abroad and Education in Ireland, supporting international education opportunities across Ireland for students who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color. Launched in January 2021, the program offers scholarships each fall and spring semester covering tuition and program costs.
“I’m so excited by the opportunity to go to Ireland and truly immerse myself in everything Ireland has to offer...and expose myself to something entirely different from both my identities as a Mexican and as an American,” Torres said. “I think there’s so much growth and strength that comes from this entire cultural immersion that is really unique to this experience.”
Torres says she is proud to represent UT Austin and her hometown of El Paso. After she graduates, she wants to pursue a master’s in global health policy.
Diversifying the profile of students who have historically studied abroad in Ireland is a key priority of Education in Ireland, the organization responsible for the overseas promotion of Irish institutes of higher education. While funding has always been one of the primary barriers to access, the financial consequences of the pandemic have made scholarships all the more important to ensuring overseas experiences remain accessible.
Students interested in applying to the Inclusive Ireland Scholarship can apply on the Education in Ireland website. The next application cycle opens in August 2021.
