40 Hours for the Forty Acres March 2021

Who We Are

In an increasingly interconnected society, international education is vital. UT is committed to educating global citizens and carrying out research that changes lives while addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Texas Global advances UT Austin’s academic mission by expanding our reach, fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad, bringing talented students and scholars to the university, and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with institutions around the globe.

What we are fundraising for

During UT Austin’s day of giving, Texas Global invites you to be part of the university’s global engagement efforts by supporting Global Learning Scholarships and the Global Career Launch initiative.

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the most diverse campuses in the country. This includes the community of 5,600 international students and 1,500 international scholars from more than 130 countries that help make UT such a vibrant campus. Global Learning Scholarships will draw the world’s most brilliant students and scholars to the Forty Acres and provide funding for the 4,400 students that take part in Education Abroad programs each year. 

These scholarships provide Longhorns the opportunity to learn in an intercultural environment, on campus and abroad. Global Career Launch is a comprehensive global internship framework for UT undergraduate and graduate students to engage in high-impact work and research experiences abroad. Supporting Global Career Launch increases the opportunity for students to participate in these transformative professional experiences. 

Your gift truly transforms the lives of Longhorns. You are contributing to the university’s international reputation and its impact globally. “What starts here changes the world” is not just our motto, it’s our way of life.

Your Impact

Global Learning Scholarships for Students Marifer, Justin and Rose three students from UT. 

Marifer’s Story: “As international students we sometimes face a lot of hardships, but just having this financial support helps us to study more, to develop as people and to be able to give back to society. All of your help has changed my life.” –Marifer, international student from Mexico. When Marifer heard about The University of Texas at Austin and its motto “What starts here changes the world,” she knew it was the place for her. Inspired by her father, a businessman, she wanted to be an innovator and entrepreneur to positively impact her beloved home community in Mexico and to set an example for her four younger sisters. When she was accepted into the marketing program at the McCombs School of Business, she made her dream of being a Longhorn a reality with the support of her family and a few small scholarships. She quickly became an active member of the UT community, serving in student organizations, working as a resident assistant and interning at local Austin businesses. But when her father’s business suffered a setback, her future at UT was uncertain. She was unable to afford tuition and living expenses to complete her degree until she came across a unique scholarship opportunity for international students. Thanks to the support of the scholarship, she continued her studies at UT. 

Marifer graduated in December 2019 with an impressive academic record, and as she launches her career, she is determined to give back and make the same opportunity available to other students in the future. The diverse perspectives of international students like Marifer enrich the university’s academic experience and advance its mission. International students are ineligible for federal, state, and need-based university financial aid, and tuition and living costs can make it challenging for outstanding students from around the world to come to UT. Your gift will strengthen the university’s commitment to include more students of intellectual promise like Marifer, regardless of geography and financial means, ensuring they are able to participate fully in their education.

Rose’s Story: "I was always interested in studying abroad, but I never knew where I wanted to go or if I could afford it. I was very lucky and fortunate to receive enough scholarships. I especially encourage minority and low-income students to take advantage of their opportunities at UT to study abroad. It is a truly unique, life-changing experience."—Rose, BS Biochemistry, studied abroad in Chile and found it unforgettable, captivating and eye-opening. An aspiring physician, Rose wanted to improve her Spanish fluency and her professional proficiency to better serve the Hispanic community in Texas. Not only did her experience in Chile provide her that opportunity, but she was also able to participate in a health seminar that allowed her to learn about the healthcare system in Chile and work in a community located in the low-income area of Santiago. "It gave me a different perspective on things that I take for granted in the U.S.," she described. "In the future, I want to serve underserved populations when I become a physician. They often are the ones that are lacking medical supplies and the right type of physicians that can help them. I would say that by helping them improve their health, we would improve the overall health system or improve some of the problems that are occurring in the U.S."

Rose leveraged several scholarships to fund her experience abroad, covering almost 90 percent of the cost. Without the scholarships, Rose would not have been able to study abroad and gain skills that uniquely prepared her for a career as a physician in Texas. Your gift will make study abroad accessible to all students at UT, especially those who would otherwise be unable to afford it. Invest and give them the chance to build tangible skills and gain the experiences to lead and succeed in a globally competitive workplace. 

Global Career Launch Initiative In 2020:

The Global Career Launch was introduced as an innovative, comprehensive framework for high-impact international internships and research abroad opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In a recent poll of UT alumni, 85% of respondents ranked their study abroad experience as the top contributor to their post-graduation success, ahead of any other activity. Close behind was participation in a job or internship and collaborating closely with faculty on research. Global Career Launch combines and amplifies these experiences (study abroad, internship, and research) by supporting students with funding, advising, and sustained engagement. Global Career Launch students emerge as leaders with critical experiences that strengthen their resumes and prepares them for career success after graduation. Over 60% of UT students who study abroad depend on some form of financial assistance and financial hardship ranks among the top reason students hesitate to engage in a global program.

Your support will help ensure that more UT students have the opportunity to have a transformative experience that aligns with their academic and career goals.

Justin's Story: Justin worked an internship in China “Interning abroad helped me market myself in more ways than one. Aside from the skillset that comes with my majors, now I have more job opportunities open to me because of the skills I learned during my internship abroad. I underestimated how interested employers are in applicants with foreign work experience. There has not been a single interview where the conversation didn’t spend at least 20 minutes talking about what it’s like working in another country. ”—Justin, interned in China. 

You can make international experiences possible for more Longhorns like Marifer, Rose and Justin, changing the trajectory of their educational experiences, careers and futures.