Local Travel Insurance Company Accepting Applications for Study Abroad Scholarship

Mondial Assistance USA, a global travel insurance and assistance company with U.S. headquarters in the West End, announced that it is now accepting applications for its 2012 travel scholarship program, ScholarTrips. The program is open to middle and high school students from the city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent and Charles City. Four recipients will receive scholarships of $2,500 for study abroad programs. The winners will be announced by January 13, 2012.

November 3, 2011; 11:04 AM • by Downtown Short Pump Staff

Mondial Assistance USA, a global travel insurance and assistance company with U.S. headquarters in the West End, announced that it is now accepting applications for its 2012 travel scholarship program, ScholarTrips. The program is open to middle and high school students from the city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent and Charles City. Four recipients will receive scholarships of $2,500 for study abroad programs. The winners will be announced by January 13, 2012.

Since the program’s inception in 2004, Mondial Assistance has awarded 20 scholarships to Richmond area students, which amounts to $50,000 in aid. This year’s applicants can visit the Mondial Assistance ScholarTrips Facebook tab for more information on the program. Those applying for the scholarship must complete an application form that includes an essay describing how a study abroad experience can help them meet their academic and personal goals. Students are also required to submit a recommendation letter from a teacher or counselor. The deadline for applications is January 13, 2012.

“We encourage Richmond area students to be global thinkers and citizens, and believe that international learning opportunities can help students achieve this mindset. We recognize that the cost of these programs can often be a barrier, and it is a privilege to support our area’s young people through ScholarTrips,” said Beth Godlin, managing director of Mondial Assistance USA. “Each day, we help customers all over the world with their travel experiences, so we understand how important it is to foster the sense of discovery that travel affords.”

Of the ScholarTrips program, 2011 winner Ashley Christiansen says, “Without your help, I wouldn’t have experienced my first plane ride, my first trip out of the U.S., or even my first time talking in-depth with local Spanish speakers. It was a total cultural immersion and my group and I learned everything from special Costa Rican words to the typical foods.”

Mondial Assistance is a travel insurance and assistance company, providing daily services to millions of travelers around the globe. As part of the scholarship award, Mondial Assistance will provide scholarship recipients with travel insurance and access to the same 24-hour assistance hotline Mondial Assistance provides its customers. The coverage will ensure that, should recipients encounter any travel-related difficulty or require medical assistance, Mondial Assistance’s global network of services is there to assist them.

November 3, 2011 11:04 AM 0