K athryn Grace Cooper of Watkinsville, Georgia—a rising sophomore majoring in political science and philosophy at Georgia College & State University—received a competitive national grant from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi to study abroad this summer in Strasbourg, France.

Cooper is one of only 125 students nationwide to receive the $1,000 award. It helped fund her enrollment in Georgia College’s Intercultural Leadership Program at the European Parliament.

“I am truly honored to receive the Phi Kappa Phi study abroad grant,” said Cooper, who’s also minoring in English with a pre-law concentration. “This prestigious award will allow me to deepen my understanding of different cultures and truly immerse myself in French culture.”

The intercultural leadership program started in late May and lasts about five weeks. It brings together students from around the world to interact with world diplomats, military officers, elected officials, policy specialists, business executives and nonprofit leaders. Students will study global leadership issues like stakeholder analysis, managing social capital, strategic thinking and planning, negotiation and dispute resolution, as well as peacebuilding and social responsibility.

There’ll be opportunities for sightseeing at the medieval Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle in Orschwiller, France; Struthof Concentration Camp in Natzwiller, France; and Heidelberg Castle in Germany. Students are lodged at the manor house, Château de Pourtalès, surrounded by a 75-acre park and nature preserve. Many kings and queens, including Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie, stayed there, according to Dr. Harold Mock, director of Leadership Programs at Georgia College.

Mock is teaching leadership courses this summer in France.

“Katie is an extraordinary student and a joy to teach,” Mock said. “She represents the best of Georgia College’s commitment to leadership for the public good. I’m grateful that the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes in Katie the same intellect and potential that her professors and we at Georgia College see.”

Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Its study abroad grant program was established in 2001 as part of $1.3 million given each year to outstanding students through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post baccalaureate development and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

Selection is based on an applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, personal statement, letters of recommendation and whether the student is already accepted into a study abroad program. Phi Kappa Phi also considers if study abroad will enhance a student’s academic work and meet future career goals.

Cooper believes the grant and her studies in France will help her on the path to becoming an attorney.

“Looking ahead,” she said, “this prestigious study abroad grant will make my resume stand out, since employers and graduate schools value the global mindset and intercultural competencies that come from studying abroad.”