A new scholarship in development will give students a chance to provide service abroad.
Elon University alumna Sydnie Krause is creating a scholarship that would award a student with an all-expenses-paid alternative spring break, which is a community service trip organized through Elon.
Krause, who graduated in 2011 with a degree in accounting, wants students to have the same positive experiences abroad that she had. During her spring break in 2010, she went with Elon Hillel to Buenos Aires, where she volunteered at an orphanage.
Hillel, along with many other campus organizations, sponsors an alternative spring break trip every year, which focuses on providing community service in partnership with other companies all over the world.
“We worked with orphans, painted classrooms and worked with a food bank,” Krause said.
After Krause graduated, she decided to create a scholarship because she was looking for an opportunity to give back to Elon.
The Sydnie Krause Hillel Alternative Spring Break Fund scholarship is not fully developed yet, but according to Krause, the initial gift has been donated and she expects it will be available to students in 2013.
“The great thing about an alternative spring break is that anyone can fit it in their schedule,” she said.
Nancy Luberoff, Hillel Campus director who organizes and leads Hillel’s alternative spring break trips, has been working with Krause since last year to develop this scholarship for students.
“The alternative spring break to Buenos Aires was a powerful experience for Krause,” Luberoff said. “She gave back in a targeted way to support something she is deeply committed to.”
Krause said she wants all students to have an opportunity to experience another culture and language while providing service.
“It’s incredible that a young alumna in her first professional position made giving back a priority,” Luberoff said. “It’s very uncommon for a recent graduate to give back in such a big way so quickly.”