I guess it was natural for me to land here. My father is an alumnus of Augustana College, which has always held a special place in our family’s history. Growing up, I took trips with my dad to Augustana as a kid. By the time I reached the sixth grade, I knew in my heart that Augustana College was where I wanted to continue my education. There was such a sense of belonging and community I felt during those early visits. There’s also a professor here whom I refer to as “Uncle” because he was my dad’s college roommate. Having those connections made Augustana feel even more special.
I’ve been pursuing English and creative writing, and I’ve also added Scandinavian Studies for language credit. I’m currently learning Swedish and taking classes to explore the language, history, culture, and politics, which has been absolutely fantastic. This past summer, I spent nine weeks in Sweden, which was a life-changing experience. I love the field I’m in and am excited to expand on it when I get out of college.
Let’s be real—college is expensive, and it can be overwhelming. Bills pile up, no matter where you come from. But scholarships like this one remind you that it’s possible to navigate those challenges. Honestly, the financial stress is what stops a lot of people from fully enjoying college. For me, this scholarship made all the difference. It gave me the confidence to keep going and helped me realize that the whole experience is worth it.
This wasn’t just a small boost—the scholarship covered enough of my expenses to let me focus on what matters. Without it, I don’t think I would’ve had the courage to take on something like studying abroad. It really shaped my entire college journey and opened doors I didn’t even know were there. College is high risk—high reward. It’s a big life choice that can feel daunting. Applying for additional funding is a matter of putting yourself out there. By fearlessly seeking opportunity and involving yourself, you are ready for doors to open for you and that will contribute to a more positive college experience. I encourage students to apply for those scholarships and dive into the deep end; most of us were taught how to swim so take the plunge and use those skills! Seek out any promising opportunities because something good will come your way if you set your foot in the right direction.
If I ever got to meet the donors behind my scholarship, I’d definitely thank them and probably ask for a hug. Donors don’t always get the credit they deserve. For those who provide the funding for scholarships, they don’t get enough recognition because they are often seen as an “unknown entity” who has some funds to give. So after a while, it’s so easy for people to graduate and forget about higher ed, and all the funding needed, focusing on themselves. What’s so cool is that there are people out there who still care and who are concerned about the next generation who may have taken a different path but have made it to higher ed. it’s magnetic and monumental in that way because it brings us together. That’s pretty amazing when you think about it. Even though I’ll probably never meet them, I feel connected to them in a way.
This helpful funding makes the burden lighter and makes the yoke you carry on your shoulders become a lot more manageable to bear; It can put you ahead and help you become the person you aspire to be in the real world. We are in a space and time when being in higher education now is to get into the workforce to benefit the world later. More than anything, scholarships like this give hope. And hope is everything—whether it’s in school, work, or life in general. When we hold onto hope and share it with others, it keeps us moving forward, together.