Old Dominion University Office Guides Students to Global

Old Dominion University students are securing prestigious international scholarships for global study, research, and teaching with dedicated support from a new campus office. The Graduate School’s Office of International Collaborations (OIC), established in the summer of 2024, offers one-on-one guidance for competitive application processes.

Dr. Patricia Schiaffini-Vedani, the OIC director, said her office promotes a portfolio of more than 20 international scholarship opportunities. "Since our office was established in the summer of 2024, we have achieved unprecedented success in the number of students receiving nationally and internationally competitive awards," she stated. The office provides comprehensive support throughout the application process, which is a first for the university.

Scholarship Success Stories

Recent graduate Jaye Brayboy, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with double minors in Chinese and Applied Language Studies, is a prime example. With OIC's help, she participated in an eight-week Mandarin immersion program in Taiwan last summer. "I gained a lot of conversational skills there. My speaking and language comprehension increased by leaps and bounds," Brayboy said.

Her international awards include the Linda Hyatt Wilson Graduate Scholarship in China Studies, being named a U.S. Fulbright Program semifinalist, and earning a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarship. She is now using a full scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts in Ethnic Relations and Cultures at National Dong Hwa University in Hualien, Taiwan.

Katie Sturniolo, graduating with a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics in 2025, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award to Romania. She sought the award to gain experience supporting her interests in linguistic education and translation. The Fulbright program is a competitive, merit-based grant administered by the United States Department of State for international educational and cultural exchange.

"I found out about Fulbright English Teaching Assistant positions through OIC and was supported with my application by having my essay drafts reviewed," Sturniolo explained. Dr. Schiaffini-Vedani also helped connect her with other university Fulbright grant recipients.

Range of Awards and Opportunities

The office supports students applying for a wide array of funded programs. These include U.S. Department of State-funded scholarships like Gilman Scholarships and Boren Awards for study and research abroad. Several students have been named Fulbright semifinalists or received Fulbright awards.

One graduate student was awarded a Boren Award, which funds the study of languages and regions critical to U.S. National security, and is now studying in Africa. He credited OIC with helping him discover scholarships and refine his applications. "Studying abroad is an exceptional opportunity to grow yourself by experiencing challenges, ideas and flavors that you would never have imagined," he said.

The OIC also administers its own Trailblazers Scholarships, supporting international experiential learning. Fifteen students have received these awards for non-credit academic experiences abroad, such as conducting research or presenting at conferences in countries including Greece, Morocco, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Office Structure and Support

The Study Abroad Office and English Language Center operate under the OIC's umbrella. While the Study Abroad Office focuses on helping undergraduate students study abroad for academic credit, the OIC supports both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing international experiential scholarships. This support extends to applications for international research, conference participation, English teaching abroad, service-learning projects, and post-graduation programs like the Fulbright program and the Peace Corps.

Through this individualized mentorship, Old Dominion University is enabling more students to pursue global opportunities that expand the definition of a university education.