Four students from Washington State University Tri-Cities have been awarded a total of $36,000 in fellowships to study in Scandinavia during the fall 2025 semester. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers and provide transformative international experiences for students from diverse backgrounds.

“I’m enthusiastic about increasing the number of WSU Tri-Cities students who participate in these experiences,” said Joseph Ianelli, professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and associate dean for international programs in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. “The overarching objective remains that of contributing to graduate cosmopolitan professionals for sustainability leadership in globalized societies.”

The fellowships not only recognize the students’ academic achievements but also support WSU Tri-Cities’ mission to cultivate a diverse and globally aware student body. By studying abroad, each student will gain invaluable insights and skills, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to their respective fields.

Andreya Ortiz, a biology major, will be studying at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark, through the Denmark Environmental Sustainability program. Ortiz received a $6,310 fellowship from the Scan Design Foundation to support her experience.

She first learned about the opportunity when Ianelli presented it in her Plants and People class in fall 2024. “I was immediately hooked and couldn’t stop thinking about whether I should apply or not,” Ortiz said. “I was nervous about the idea of leaving my family behind for the fall semester, but with the support and push from my husband, I decided to take the leap and apply.”

Razan Osman, a civil engineering and environmental sciences student, will also be studying at Aarhus University with the support of an additional $6,310 fellowship from the Scan Design Foundation.

Lia Hornby, a mechanical engineering student, received a $12,000 fellowship through the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Students (NSF-IRES) program. She will be studying at Linköping University in Sweden, where she will engage in advanced computational research.

Henry Jordan, also a mechanical engineering student, was awarded an additional $12,000 NSF-IRES fellowship to study at Linköping University. Like Hornby, he will be involved in computational engineering research.

At Aarhus University, Ortiz and Osman will engage in the Environmental Sustainability Student Program. Aarhus University is a top 100 research-intensive institution known for its commitment to international collaboration and a broad range of academic programs.

This initiative emphasizes research and education in environmental sustainability. Participants will undertake research projects, attend classes, and immerse themselves in Danish culture.

Hornby and Jordan will participate in the Student Training and Research Semesters (STARS) program at Linköping University. Linköping University emphasizes boundary-breaking research and innovative education, maintaining close ties with industry and society.

The program offers research opportunities in computational engineering, mathematics, and science, where students work with advanced high-performance computing systems and focus on developing innovative algorithms through neural networks and machine learning.

For Ortiz, the opportunity to study abroad is not just about academics but also about personal and professional growth. “I’m most excited to contribute to meaningful environmental research that will help me gain hands-on experience,” she said.

She also believes that the experience will have a lasting impact on her future. “Studying abroad will give me a global perspective on sustainability, something I couldn’t replicate in a classroom alone,” Ortiz explained. “The hands-on research and cultural immersion will be invaluable for my career as an environmentalist, which I can later directly apply in the field.”