Empowering Future Leaders
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Global Perspectives Scholarship Overview
Rustic Pathways empowers students to positively impact lives and communities around the world through its innovative and responsible travel experiences. If you’re looking to learn about summer student travel programs, click here.
Rustic Pathways offers a $1,000 scholarship to a high school or college student attending an accredited college or university in 2024.
The 2024 scholarship applications have closed. You can see our winner and finalists here.
If you want to be notified about future scholarships or opportunities, click here to get notified.
Ritu Belani – Global Perspectives Scholarship Winner 2024
“Global Perspectives” is the perfect title for this scholarship because it encapsulates my passion for exploring diverse cultures and understanding the interconnectedness of our world. At Stanford, I’m pursuing Chicano/Latino Studies and Islamic Studies. This scholarship is more than just financial support—it’s a validation of my commitment to justice and community-building. I’m deeply grateful to Rustic Pathways for supporting my aspirations to conduct meaningful research and connect with people from all walks of life through my comedy and activism.
Meet Ritu: Ritu is a freshman at Stanford University by day and stand-up comedian by night. She has toured across three cities globally performing her solo headliner show, and her favorite show is an open mic that she organized at her local mosque called Hahahalal. Ritu’s interests include Spanish, Arabic, and community-engaged scholarship, and her research has been published in the Association of Computational Linguistics. You can follow her work @RituDoesComedy on your favorite social media platform.
Meet Our 2024 Finalists
We are proud to recognize our 2024 finalists, who wrote exceptional essays about their most meaningful summer experiences. Each finalist demonstrated creativity, clarity, and a commitment to positive change.
Grace Aulicino
Gettysburg College – Basking Ridge, NJ
Gettysburg College – Basking Ridge, NJ
Marisol Barajas
Central Catholic High School – Westley, CA
Central Catholic High School – Westley, CA
Mridhini Beegamudre
University of Central Florida – St Augustine, FL
University of Central Florida – St Augustine, FL
Isabella Bracken
Truman State University – St. Louis, MO
Truman State University – St. Louis, MO
Kimorra Buggs
City College of New York – Mount Rainier, MD
City College of New York – Mount Rainier, MD
Danielle Campbell
Mount Allison University – Rexton, New Brunswick
Mount Allison University – Rexton, New Brunswick
Owen Chen
University of Southern California – Danville, CA
University of Southern California – Danville, CA
Zoe Costianis
Glenbrook South – Glenview, IL
Glenbrook South – Glenview, IL
Victoria Collins
Sweet Briar College – Leesburg, VA
Sweet Briar College – Leesburg, VA
Sam Ellison
Homeschool – Sierra Vista, AZ
Homeschool – Sierra Vista, AZ
Mahir Hossain
Stony Brook University – Bronx, NY
Stony Brook University – Bronx, NY
Shaina Jhanji
South Forsyth High School – Cumming, GA
South Forsyth High School – Cumming, GA
Jaecheol Kim
Covenant Global Christian School – Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Covenant Global Christian School – Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Eva Ledvina
Cornell University – Vestavia Hills, AL
Cornell University – Vestavia Hills, AL
Lydia Magness
The Ohio State University – Lebanon, OH
The Ohio State University – Lebanon, OH
Sam Martin
Brighton High School – Rochester, NY
Brighton High School – Rochester, NY
Nidhi Nagaraj
Oregon State University – Salem, OR
Oregon State University – Salem, OR
Ethan Osiegbu
University of Southern California – Middletown, DE
University of Southern California – Middletown, DE
Jena Shaqlaih
University of Texas at Arlington – Arlington, TX
University of Texas at Arlington – Arlington, TX
Sara Auger
Montana State University – Cannon Falls, MN
Montana State University – Cannon Falls, MN
How to Apply for the Global Perspective Scholarship (2024)
1. Review the essay question (answer must be under 500 words) and write your essay.
Teen summer opportunities vary widely. Some teens work during the summer. Some teens head off to summer camp. Some teens enjoy summer travel. What is the most meaningful summer experience you have had, and why?
2. Follow us on Instagram. In order to be considered for the Global Perspectives Scholarship, applicants must follow our Instagram Account.
3. Complete and submit the online application form by August 25th, 2024 11:59 PM EDT.
- Judging will be based on the quality of the submission.
- Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized.
- Judges will automatically reject any essay over 500 words, or any essay submitted past the deadline.
4. Read and agree to the following:
- Rustic Pathways Scholarship Terms and Conditions
- Rustic Pathways Media Release and Consent Agreement
For more information, contact us at scholarships@rusticpathways.com.
Awards
All awards must be used for tuition and/or books. One student will receive the grand prize of $1,000.
Scholarship Eligibility
This scholarship is open to all high school and college students who will be attending an accredited college or university in 2024.
Students must follow all instructions and agree to Rustic Pathways’ Scholarship Agreement.
Students must submit and complete the application form before the stated deadline. No exceptions will be made for applicants after the deadline.
For any questions, please contact scholarships@rusticpathways.com before signing and accepting the award.
This scholarship is going to help me succeed in my education and put me on track to be the best teacher I can be. I am glad to know that Rustic Pathways is out there to support students like me by helping to relieve the financial stress that comes with pursuing a degree. From myself and my family we are immensely grateful for the Global Perspectives Scholarship. Thank you, Rustic Pathways, for being there for me.
Quote by: Josh Eubanks, University of Georgia Global Perspectives Scholarship 2023 Grand Prize Recipient
I sincerely appreciate the work that Rustic Pathways does to give students a voice and in encouraging students to pursue their passions. As someone passionate about educational equity I am so glad that organizations like these continue to work to support education and learning for students.
Quote by: Mia Kim, University of Pennsylvania Global Perspectives Scholarship 2023 Grand Prize Recipient
I find myself very proud to work with Rustic Pathways as their mission to transform students into global citizens through impactful travel greatly aligns with my passions and core values.
Quote by: Clairissa Ponce, California Baptist University Global Perspectives Scholarship 2023 Recipient
I’m deeply honored to have been recognized for my achievements with the Global Perspectives Scholarship, which only strengthens my determination to excel in my pursuits.
Quote by: Emily Hwang, University of Georgia Global Perspectives Scholarship 2023 Recipient
I want to thank the Rustic Pathways team for their dedication and for providing youth with the opportunity to be successful in the face of financial hardships.
Quote by: Irene Penev, University of California San Diego Global Perspectives Scholarship 2023 Recipient
I am grateful to have the support of Rustic Pathways because I can stress less financially and spend more time focusing on my educational goals. As I continue working on my global project of reducing food waste and working toward a career in the non-profit sector, I am grateful to know organizations like Rustic Pathways exist and support my work. Thank you so much to Rustic Pathways for doing work that assists students and extending that work to positively impact my life!
Quote by: London Allen, University of Baltimore Global Perspectives Scholarship 2022 Grand Prize Recipient
I want to thank Rustic Pathways for providing young people like me with the opportunity to fulfill their dreams in spite of various financial obstacles. I’m glad that Rustic Pathways’ steadfast dedication to this cause will continue to positively impact future students.
Quote by: Mihir Gokhale, University of Texas at Austin Global Perspectives Scholarship 2022 Recipient
Thank you so much to Rustic Pathways for all you do, your generosity, and for helping support me as I continue my undergraduate education at the University of Maryland.
Quote by: Janet Ruan, University of Maryland Global Perspectives Scholarship 2022 Recipient
Thank you so much Rustic Pathways for enabling me and so many deserving youth to pursue post-secondary education. I feel amazed, thankful, and beyond blessed. It is my hope that one day, I will be able to financially open opportunities for students just as you have done for me.
Quote by: Sarah Ahmed, University of Waterloo Global Perspectives Scholarship 2021 Grand Prize Recipient
Scholarships like this not only provide some very-much-needed economic relief but also hope and joy that there are organizations out there that are willing to bet on and support students through their educational journey. Therefore, thank so much to Rustic Pathways for the work they do and for continuing to help students like me get closer to achieving their dreams year after year.
Quote by: Eva Lopez, DePaul University Global Perspectives Scholarship 2020 Grand Prize Recipient
Frequently Asked Questions
We cannot accept any submissions after the deadline.
Yes, sending your essay before the final deadline is highly recommended.
When you submit your essay via our web form, you will receive a thank you message on the screen after you hit the submit button.
Yes, home-schooled high school seniors or any high school student attending a college or university in 2024 can apply.
Yes, high school seniors or any high school student attending a college or university in 2024 can apply.
Yes, as long as you are still attending a college or university in 2024, you can apply.
Yes, we have applicants all over the world! International students may enter our scholarship contests, except where void or prohibited by law.
We will contact you after the deadline if you are a finalist or have won the award.
You will not be notified. Watch out for an announcement on our social channels or press page.
Yes! We encourage you to apply each year as long as you meet the requirements.
Rustic Pathways Scholarship Agreement
The following statements, acknowledged and signed by you below, are required to process your scholarship application.
Processing of your application and disbursement of any scholarship funds is contingent upon your reading and acknowledging that you have read and understand all of the following by the application deadline.
Terms and Conditions
To remain eligible and accept the scholarship award, you must accept the following terms and meet all of the following requirements:
Read more
Rustic Pathways reserves all rights in determining who receives the scholarship award. The processing of your application and disbursement of any scholarship funds is contingent upon your acknowledgement that you have read and understood this agreement.
If the requested materials do not match with the information provided on the application, Rustic Pathways has the right to withdraw your scholarship award and present it to another qualified applicant.
The following will not be asked for submission, but is highly recommended to receive the scholarship award:
1. Within six months of receiving the scholarship, you must be enrolled on a full time basis in an accredited community college, four-year college or university.
Failure to enroll in a college or university within six months of receiving the scholarship could result in an automatic loss of the scholarship and forfeiture of the scholarship funds.
You may only use scholarship dollars for approved expenses incurred in the course of study at the qualifying college or university.
2. You are encouraged to consult with your school’s financial aid office or with your personal or family advisor to determine whether any portion of your Rustic Pathways Scholarship is taxable income that needs to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
Whether or not reporting is required or any tax will be owed will depend upon the unique facts and circumstances of a scholarship recipient’s individual financial situation and/ or certain aspects of the program of study and/or your institution’s requirements.
Rustic Pathways is not in a position to provide this type of advice to you, but wants to be certain that you are aware of the need to determine any financial/tax implications of the scholarship and that Rustic Pathways holds no responsibility for this.
Media Release and Consent Agreement
This Media Release and Consent Agreement is granted by the Individual Rustic Pathways Scholarship Recipient, effective upon the finalist receiving and signing the Scholarship Acceptance Form.
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The parties, both Rustic Pathways and Scholarship Recipient, hereby mutually agree to the following terms of release and consent:
Rustic Pathways desires to use the below-identified materials in connection with the publication and distribution of materials, in various media, regarding and/or promoting Rustic Pathways, its activities or accomplishments.
Photographic and video materials incorporating scholar’s name and/or image.
Electronic or digital materials incorporating scholar’s name and/or written words. Printed materials incorporating scholar’s name, likeness and/or image.
Web-based or other electronic or digital materials incorporating scholar’s name, image, likeness, voice and/or spoken or written words.
For any questions, please contact scholarships@rusticpathways.com before signing and accepting the award.
About Rustic Pathways
Founded in the outback of Australia in 1983, Rustic Pathways is the world’s leading student travel brand, with a renowned reputation for creativity, innovation and adventure.
Through purposeful design, Rustic Pathways creates culturally-immersive programs for students ages 12 to 22. Rustic Pathways’s programs develop globally-minded self-aware students to identify their interests and passions, gain confidence, grow as individuals, and create positive impact at a local and global level.