Salem State Student Receives $10,000 Chinese Government Scholarship

The Embassy of People’s Republic China awarded a $10,000 Chinese Government Scholarship to Leominster resident and Salem State University student Nyatichi Nyabuti who will study abroad in Nanjing, China during the entirety of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Nyabuti, 18, who is originally from Eldoret, Kenya, will spend nearly a year studying at the Nanjing Normal University beginning September 1 through July 2020. The scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, health insurance, and room and board, while providing a monthly stipend.

“The goal is to expose myself to more Chinese culture, be it literature or traditions via mastering the language,” Nyabuti said, “When I got accepted into Salem State, I got very excited after I learned about their Chinese language classes. I made sure Chinese was the first class I signed up for.”

Nyabuti, who recently completed a summer program in Taiwan, is a sophomore with junior standing studying political science and international relations at Salem State and plans to take Chinese language and political science courses while studying abroad in Nanjing.

“My Chinese professor Ti-Cheng Chiu Balbo further extends my interest in Chinese. Her teaching style is very engaging, making it easy for me to casually study Chinese,” Nyabuit said. “Lauren Prema from the study abroad office is always presenting me with more opportunities and pushed me to apply to more programs.”

Nyabuti was introduced to the Chinese Scholarship Program by the Salem State Center for International Education (CIE), said the university’s assistant provost for global engagement Julie Whitlow, who is a strong advocate for global exchange. 

Whitlow said, “The CIE is the hub of all international activity on campus and oversees our International Student and Scholar Services, Intensive English Language and Culture Programs during the academic year and summer, an evening Community English Program, and all Study Abroad, Faculty-Led Travel, and International Partnerships. “

“I’m always looking for affordable or funded opportunities for students to see the world.  In doing so, I believe we are fulfilling our mission to ‘prepare a diverse community of learners to contribute responsibly and creatively to a global society,’” added Whitlow.