Mercer University student and Waycross resident Erin Meeks has earned a Global Leader Scholarship to participate in study abroad programs during the upcoming spring semester.
Meeks, a junior Spanish major, is one of 22 students who received the most recent scholarships tot aling $71,500. The Ware County High School graduate will be among 15 students in a faculty-led program in the Dominican Republic during spring break.
The other seven students will participate in a longer exchange or affiliate program.
“I couldn’t be more honored to receive the Global Leader Scholarship,” Meeks said. “This opportunity has made it possible for me to engage in global education in the Dominican Republic, where I will be able to enhance my Spanish communication in the healthcare field.
“During our nine-day trip to the Dominican Republic, we’ll engage in guest lectures and medical simulations from Universidad Central de Este, serve in local Hispanic communities to identify local health issues, and experience a number of Dominican tourist sites, including a Merengue dance class.”
Meeks hopes to attend medical school after graduation with the aim of being a pediatrician in South Georgia.
At Mercer, Meeks is a peer advisor, director of special events of MU Miracle and a member of the Mercer Honors Program, Special Consideration Program for Medicine, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Pre-Medical Club and the Hispanic Healthcare Organization.
The scholarships are from Mercer’s Office of Global Engagement. The program began in 2019 to support students with financial need in pursuing long-term study abroad opportunities while at the university.
The scholarship initially offered up to $8,000 per student for programs of eight weeks or longer, but the program was expanded to include awards of up to $5,000 for programs of three to eight weeks and up to $3,000 for programs shorter than three weeks.
