Crystal Martin receives scholarship to study in Japan

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Crystal Martin

Lock Haven University student Crystal Martin has been awarded a Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad in Japan. Martin, a junior from Sweet Valley, Pa., will attend Nara University of Education, in Nara, Japan, where she will study Japanese language and culture.

Martin described her preparations for her upcoming study abroad. "I am very excited to be going to Japan. It is something that I have been looking forward to doing for years," Martin added, "I have always had an interest in languages, and the Japanese language and culture specifically have held my interest."

Martin graduated from Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School in Lehman, Pa. She is the daughter of Al and Cathy Martin.

Martin will be spending a semester abroad but is looking to extend her stay for the whole year. "I have been working full time on night shift to both save money and to change my sleep pattern," she said. "Hopefully it will make adjusting to the time difference easier."

Martin is majoring in international studies. She is one of ninety-five undergraduates from colleges and universities across the United States who have been named recipients of Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan. The winners will receive up to $4000 to assist with The winners will receive awards of up to $4,000 to assist with their living expenses while they study in Japan during the 2010-2011 academic year.

Dr. Jennifer M. Creamer, dean of LHU's Institute for International Studies, said, "I know that Crystal will have a brilliant study abroad experience in Japan. I still remember when I was in Japan as an exchange student, as I keep in touch with my host family and friends. I hope that Crystal will enjoy her time there as much as I did."

Martin stated, "I would also like to thank the Association of Teachers of Japanese for awarding me the Bridging Scholarship." Since 1999, 1,055 scholarships have been awarded by the US-Japan Bridging Foundation to students studying abroad in Japan.

The goal of the Bridging Project is to promote study abroad in Japan by larger numbers of American undergraduate students. The scholarship program is administered by the Association of Teachers of Japanese, a professional organization for teachers of Japanese language, literature, and culture.

Bridging Scholars hail from a variety of schools–public and private, large universities and small colleges. Their majors range from computer science to fine art, but they share a common interest in Japan, its language and culture. Their destinations also vary, from giant campuses in Tokyo to intimate consortium programs in rural Japan.

For more information on the scholarships, visit the Bridging Project on the Web at www.aatj.org/atj/studyabroad/scholarships.html For information on the Bridging Foundation, visit www.bridgingfoundation.org