Vancouver, BC May 1, 2014:

The Vancouver chapter of the Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA Vancouver) is pleased to announce the recipient of the merit-based SWEA-UBC Scholarship of 2014. Christopher Shea is currently studying the final course of Intermediate Swedish at the Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies at University of British Columbia. Lena Karlström, lecturer in Swedish and Scandinavian studies, describes Christopher as a very conscientious and highly motivated individual, and says that he has distinguished himself from his peers, by his high academic performance, personality and devotion to the subject matter. Christopher has been awarded CAD $3,000 for studies of political science at Uppsala University during spring 2015.

“Without a doubt, this exchange will serve to enhance my academic experience in ways beyond the credits I will come back with”, Christopher says. “Moreover, the ability to explore a country I have and will continue to study, to experience the world so far from home, and to be immersed in the rich history of a region as old as Sweden will nurture an innate fascination with the world that drive my studies and passions.” Christopher is intending to return to UBC where he will major in International Relations, with a minor in Scandinavian Studies.

 SWEA International is a global network with 7,500 Swedish speaking women in more  than 70 chapters in over 30 countries in the world. It is the largest organization promoting Swedish language, culture and traditions and grants more than CAD $300, 000 in donations and scholarships. The Vancouver chapter was founded in 1989, and celebrates its 25the anniversary in October 2014. Christopher Shea is the 5^th recipient of the SWEA-UBC Scholarship for Undergraduate studies in Sweden, since it was initiated in 2007.

For more information about SWEA Vancouver, contact our chair, Anna Norrström at vancouver@swea.org.