Welcome to Bahamas Local, Your Bahamas Online Search Engine

From The Bahamas to France - UB students get a global outlook thanks to a generous donation

Thu, Nov 2nd 2023, 10:19 AM
Community/Charity Education

A husband and wife team wanting to open worlds abroad to top foreign language students at the University of The Bahamas have announced a $10,000 funding program covering travel and living expense for the best foreign language student annually who wants to study overseas, immersing themselves in the culture and lifestyle of the language of their choice.

Christine Diment, a retired Foreign Languages professor at the College of The Bahamas and UB, and her husband architect Sean Mathews, principal of N&M Architects, made the announcement of the funding recently at UB in conjunction with the School of Communications and Creative Arts.
 
Diment and Mathews know firsthand what it is like to live abroad and the value of a cultural immersion experience.

Mathews was born and raised in The Bahamas. At age eight, he was ‘shipped abroad’, living in Spain and the UK before returning home 30 years ago. Diment, born in the UK, answered an ad for a teacher in The Bahamas 36 years ago and has since not only taught several languages at COB and UB, but taken students on immersion trips herself.

On such trips to Havana and Mexico, Diment enrolled in the same Spanish language courses her students did so she would understand their level of comprehension.

Nothing, she says, makes a student appreciate the beauty of a language more than understanding how it complements the lifestyle, culture, arts, food and people of a country.

It was her idea to award the grant and her husband was a more than willing partner in the gift.

The plan calls for the $10,000 donation to be carved into five $2,000 awards, enough for travel and living expenses for a student who has been accepted into an academic program in the language he or she is studying. Diment is hoping the first year’s award will go to someone who loves French and has been awarded a place at a French university.

Even retired, say university counterparts, Diment is making a difference. Dr. Walteria Tucker-Rolle, faculty who worked alongside Diment in the Foreign Languages Department, spoke of her influence on students and teachers.

"Ms. Diment has been an inspiration to faculty and students alike. It is amazing to see the impact of one person who is passionate about what they do. Ms. Diment has inspired so many students who are now teachers, language professionals, bankers and investment specialists who have studied abroad in France and other French-speaking countries because of what they learnt in her classes," Dr. Tucker-Rolle said.

Dino Hernandez, UB Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs, thanked the couple for their generous donation and heartfelt commitment to education.

“This study abroad scholarship award will not only provide financial support but open the doors to extraordinary experiences and empower students to explore a world beyond the classroom and explore the world of language, culture and global interconnectedness,” Hernandez said.

Diment’s fondness for The University of The Bahamas, her teaching peers and most importantly, the students, led her to create this scholarship.

"I am very glad that I was able to be a part of this wonderful team of people who are truly committed to furthering education in this country and people who truly care about standards of excellence and find ways to motivate students so that they can develop their talents fully,” she said.

Mathews encouraged the public to support the university emphasizing that each contribution leaves an invaluable mark on students’ lives.
 
“Being able to live in another country opens up boundless horizons and we have done a small bit to help that. I hope we set an example that you don’t have to be ridiculously wealthy to make an impact and make a donation. I just hope the example is followed,” Mathews concluded.

A husband and wife team wanting to open worlds abroad to top foreign language students at the University of The Bahamas have announced a $10,000 funding program covering travel and living expense for the best foreign language student annually who wants to study overseas, immersing themselves in the culture and lifestyle of the language of their choice.
Christine Diment, a retired Foreign Languages professor at the College of The Bahamas and UB, and her husband architect Sean Mathews, principal of N&M Architects, made the announcement of the funding recently at UB in conjunction with the School of Communications and Creative Arts.
 
Diment and Mathews know firsthand what it is like to live abroad and the value of a cultural immersion experience.
Mathews was born and raised in The Bahamas. At age eight, he was ‘shipped abroad’, living in Spain and the UK before returning home 30 years ago. Diment, born in the UK, answered an ad for a teacher in The Bahamas 36 years ago and has since not only taught several languages at COB and UB, but taken students on immersion trips herself.
On such trips to Havana and Mexico, Diment enrolled in the same Spanish language courses her students did so she would understand their level of comprehension.
Nothing, she says, makes a student appreciate the beauty of a language more than understanding how it complements the lifestyle, culture, arts, food and people of a country.
It was her idea to award the grant and her husband was a more than willing partner in the gift.
The plan calls for the $10,000 donation to be carved into five $2,000 awards, enough for travel and living expenses for a student who has been accepted into an academic program in the language he or she is studying. Diment is hoping the first year’s award will go to someone who loves French and has been awarded a place at a French university.
Even retired, say university counterparts, Diment is making a difference. Dr. Walteria Tucker-Rolle, faculty who worked alongside Diment in the Foreign Languages Department, spoke of her influence on students and teachers.
"Ms. Diment has been an inspiration to faculty and students alike. It is amazing to see the impact of one person who is passionate about what they do. Ms. Diment has inspired so many students who are now teachers, language professionals, bankers and investment specialists who have studied abroad in France and other French-speaking countries because of what they learnt in her classes," Dr. Tucker-Rolle said.
Dino Hernandez, UB Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs, thanked the couple for their generous donation and heartfelt commitment to education.
“This study abroad scholarship award will not only provide financial support but open the doors to extraordinary experiences and empower students to explore a world beyond the classroom and explore the world of language, culture and global interconnectedness,” Hernandez said.
Diment’s fondness for The University of The Bahamas, her teaching peers and most importantly, the students, led her to create this scholarship.
"I am very glad that I was able to be a part of this wonderful team of people who are truly committed to furthering education in this country and people who truly care about standards of excellence and find ways to motivate students so that they can develop their talents fully,” she said.
Mathews encouraged the public to support the university emphasizing that each contribution leaves an invaluable mark on students’ lives.
 
“Being able to live in another country opens up boundless horizons and we have done a small bit to help that. I hope we set an example that you don’t have to be ridiculously wealthy to make an impact and make a donation. I just hope the example is followed,” Mathews concluded.

 

 Sponsored Ads