A prestigious national scholarship will assist a Macomb Community College student in furthering his studies of world affairs.
Nikola Bulajic of Shelby Township grew up in the former Yugoslavia. The 22-year-old came to the United States 11 years ago, emigrating from an area that is now part of the country of Montenegro. He completed his associate of arts degree at Macomb this month and has won a scholarship from the Boren Foundation, a national organization that supports international studies. The scholarship, the first ever awarded by Boren to a Macomb student, will finance Bulajic’s year of study at a university and a language institute in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. “I love the language and culture (of Brazil),” says Bulajic. “In exchange (for the scholarship) I will have the privilege of working for the U.S. government for a year as a foreign service officer.”
Bulajic, who is fluent in Serbian, English and German and has been teaching himself Portuguese, is no stranger to foreign studies. As a Macomb student, he spent a school year in Germany as part of an exchange program.
Macomb has a number of study options for students interested in international affairs.
Beginning in the Fall 2009 semester, the college will offer several new associate degrees and certificate programs in international studies with focuses available in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Macomb also offers associate degree programs that focus on international business. Also beginning in Fall 2009, the college is adding additional advanced courses in Chinese language studies to its foreign languages programs, which include Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
The college offers annual classes that travel to Mexico and Italy during the summer months in addition to participating in a number of student foreign exchange programs.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 59,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
586.445.7271
heatond@macomb.edu