IDMA International Student Scholarship Fund

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: (Transcript below)

[3m 10s video with seven different IDMA program students, alumni, and faculty sharing the value of their experience in the program and the need for funding to support international students to attend. The video opens with a black frame that has the Gallaudet IDMA logo and a logo image for the International Student Scholarship Fund. The next frame says, “The International Development M.A. Program (IDMA) has an exciting opportunity and needs your support!” There are six videos all filmed outdoors in various locations. In order of appearance, 1) Neha Balachandran, 2) Audrey Cooper and Maegan Shanks, 3) Olufemi Ige 4) Zahra Ketoun 5) Mahsa Tahzibi, and 6) Aanuoluwapo Omoleye. The video concludes with a cost chart demonstrating the nearly doubled expenses that international students incur to attend Gallaudet University, followed by a frame with the outline of someone signing “International Student Support.” The text under this image states, “Give at www.gu.live/IDMAFund, Email idma@gallaudet.edu, and Animation credit: @alex_quechol_10.]

TRANSCRIPT:

Neha: Hello everyone! The international development M.A. program right here at Gallaudet prepares students to advocate, design, implement, monitor, and evaluate social change in collaboration with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind people, and other people with disabilities, at local, national, and international levels.

Audrey: Did you know that international students admitted into graduate school at Gallaudet can pay up to double the tuition rates as U.S.-based students who are admitted into the graduate school?

Meg: Our goal is to raise $55,000 by April 1st. This funding will be dedicated to supporting one international student joining the IDMA program and will be used for tuition and living expenses.

Olufemi: My involvement in the IDMA program was an incredibly rich experience. I had the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people from all over the world who came together in an academic space to discuss, learn about, and share unique experiences. In class, we discussed various perspectives on development issues. That experience equipped me with critical knowledge and skills which I could apply toward designing and leading projects within my native country of Nigeria. My IDMA education also made it possible for me to share unique knowledge with deaf communities far and wide, and with government officials and leaders on a global scale!

Zahra: Did you know that I am an international student that joined the IDMA program from Morocco? The experience has been invaluable as I have interacted with people from all over the world and participated in development training. I will share the knowledge and skills I have learned here with my own community in the future.

Mahsa: Because of limited funding, the IDMA program is usually only able to support one international student to attend each year. However, the IDMA program receives 4-5 applications from motivated international students each year who cannot attend due to this limited funding.

Aanuoluwapo: From research and training to country studies, practicum placements, and international internships, this program is the only program in the world focused on Deaf and disability-led development. Your support and donations will help us make a stronger impact. The more international students join our program, the more enriching development will be for all of us.