News from the Office of Connected Learning
Fall 2025 Mary Gates Awardees
Congratulations to five Bothell students for receiving the 2025 Mary Gates Endowment for Students in Autumn quarter. This scholarship provides $5,000 disbursed over two quarters and is intended to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduates while they are engaged in leadership and research guided by faculty. Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship Adrian Eccleston Degree: Extended Pre-MajorMentor: Gabi Cuna,...
January 7, 2026
From the Andes to the Amazon
Peru’s extraordinary biodiversity has long inspired Dr. Ursula Valdez, a UW Bothell lecturer and tropical ecologist who leads students on a 21-day study abroad program exploring the country’s ecosystems from the Andes to the Amazon. This year, 19 students experienced close encounters with wildlife, conducted field research and learned about major conservation challenges such as...
December 24, 2025
Utrecht – a Hidden Gem in the Netherlands by Jeane Marbaniang
Jeane arrived in Utrecht feeling homesick, but the city quickly became a place of comfort and discovery. From exploring canals and traveling to nearby cities to forming friendships and engaging in small, diverse classes at UCU, she found confidence and connection in a new environment. What began with uncertainty turned into a transformative experience that...
December 19, 2025
Recognizing the Little Moments in a City of Motion: My Study Abroad Experience in Tokyo, Japan by Ayrianna Hall
Ayrianna’s study abroad in Japan blended cultural immersion with personal and academic growth. Through classes, film analysis, and visits across Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima, she learned to navigate discomfort, connect with Japanese students, and appreciate the small everyday moments that shaped her experience. By the end, Japan transformed her understanding of culture, identity, and herself,...
December 15, 2025
Bread as a Coping Mechanism: Overcoming Struggles in One of the Hardest Universities in Korea by Emily Kim
Drawn to KAIST for its rigorous computer science program, Emily initially struggled with the fast-paced academics, cultural differences, and adjusting to life in Korea. What helped her most was Daejeon’s warm café and bakery culture, which became a source of comfort and routine during overwhelming weeks. As she made new friends and explored the city’s...
December 15, 2025
Opening New Doors: My Study Abroad Journey in Japan by Maja Makowska
What began as a way to fulfill Arts & Humanities credits became a deeply meaningful study abroad experience in Japan for Maja. Through immersive classes, field trips to cities like Hiroshima and Osaka, and collaboration with local university students, the program helped her gain cultural insight, independence, and a broader academic perspective beyond her major....
December 11, 2025
Beyond the Single Story: Connecting With People, Not Perceptions by Catherine Cruz
Catherine’s second study abroad experience in Rwanda became a deeply transformative journey that challenged assumptions and reshaped her understanding of Africa. Through close collaboration with UW and African Leadership University students, immersive discussions on nation-building, sports development, health, and human rights, and meaningful everyday moments, Catherine found connection, growth, and a new sense of belonging....
December 10, 2025
Digital Scholars gain experience through campus internships
Launched in 2021, UW Bothell’s Digital Scholars Program trains traditionally underserved students in digital skills like marketing, data analytics and social media. The program concludes with a summer internship where students apply what they have learned to real-world projects. This year, students worked directly with campus departments. From improving digital accessibility and branding in the...
December 3, 2025
Researching to Protect Birds by Joonjoo Lee
If I could direct your attention to a window in a building across a street on a sunny day, you might see a vivid image of a tree reflected in/on the glass. Look familiar? That same clear image can also be a complete reflection of a forest wherein a bird could mistake it for a...
November 26, 2025
Stepping Into the Lab: How I Found Connections by Emmy Tumurbat, Digital Scholars 2025
As part of my internship for this program, I worked at the environmental science lab on restoring a piece of equipment used to analyze chemical compounds in water samples for analytes such as ammonia, orthophosphate, and nitrate. The task sounded simple: we were given this machine called the Lachat QuikChem 8500 Flow Injection Analysis system,...
November 26, 2025
