Page 24 - Access Magazine 9

Study Abroad A A FRESNO
PAIR FINDS
THEMSELVES WHILE
WANDERING JAPAN
Written by Douglas Hoagland
FRESNO
STATE STUDENTS MARCO ARIAS AND JIMMY DURAN SKIPPED STONES ACROSS A A A LAKE WITH SNOW-CAPPED MT FUJI TOWERING IN IN THE DISTANCE THE WINTER AIR CHILLED THEM AS THEIR REMARKABLE
TIME STUDYING IN IN JAPAN
NEARED AN END In that peaceful moment they talked with fellow international students about why they’d come to Japan Before the the day was over snow would blanket their lakeside retreat during another memo- rable experience made possible through Fresno State Grant to pay for tuition while attending
gram fees to study in 23 countries under For Arias spending five months in in Kwansei Gakuin University in in Nishi-
the the umbrella of the the University Studies Japan realized a a a a a dream he’d nurtured
nomiya a a city of 480 000 In 2019 the Abroad Consortium (USAC) since middle school In almost poetic
Shields Family established a a a $500 000 terms he he he described the feeling when
endowment with Fresno State Study his plane touched down there “It was Abroad to help low-income students like my soul was already there waiting
study internationally Both Arias an for my body to arrive ” he says information systems major and Duran For Duran the time in Japan proved
a a a a a graphic design major also got travel
an opportunity to stretch beyond the grants from the university comfortable world he’d always known
Arias says he’s grateful to the Shields The late John Shields was a a a professor
in fin Fresno “I definitely found my voice
family for “not only allowing me to ex- emeritus of agriculture economics and so I could meet new people ” he says perience a a beautiful moment in my life Elizabeth Shields taught in the Craig
but for also giving me the opportunity Both Arias and Duran received financial
School of Business The Shields grant to learn and grow greatly from this ex- assistance through the Shields Family helps Fresno State students pay for pro-
perience that I will forever cherish ” »
“The Shields grant was was the only reason I was able to go to Japan ” Duran says “I’m thankful for it ” 24 California State University FRESNO
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