Vira Heinz was an advocate for women ’ s independence and cultural education through world travel in the 1930s. With her generous donations, students at the University of Pittsburgh were able to study abroad.
Vira Heinz State Impact
Currently, the Vira Heinz Scholarship is available to female students at fourteen different colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. There have been 118 recipients from Waynesburg alone, from the years 1963-2025.
on, England 1968
What were some of the highlights of your travels?
-I had one week of classes in Scotland, studying theater.
-Once classes were finished, I hitchhiked throughout Europe, travelling to Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark, and Germany.
-While in Denmark, I saw a local newspaper announcing the assassination of Robert Kennedy.
How did your travels shape your career after Waynesburg?
-I learned how to converse and negotiate with others, which helped me when I established a new system of education for the inner-city school I worked at.
Diane Somerville, Spain 1974
What were some of the highlights of your travels?
-When the studies were finished, a girlfriend joined me, and we traveled with a Eurail Pass to many countries, including a visit to Italy.
-Countless, treasured memories come to mind, but as I look back, the most important is a discovery that I was brave, confident, and capable of leading others.
How did your travels shape your time at Waynesburg?
-I wanted to give back and volunteered to tutor students in both psychology and Spanish.
-I was asked to lead the baccalaureate procession at graduation. I was nervous, but fully prepared to face a future with promise.
Judy Lesso, Florence, Italy 1986
What were you most excited about?
-This was my first trip to Europe, so just about everything was exciting. I lived with an Italian family and another student while in Florence.
-Seeing artwork and walking in the footsteps of the Renaissance master artists was incredible and awe-inspiring.
How did your travels shape your time at Waynesburg?
-I finished my bachelor’s degree in visual communications in 1987.
-Since my time at Waynesburg, I continued my study of the Italian language, as well as German, Slovak, Spanish, and currently French.
Michele Mason-Chew, England 1990
How did your experience shape your future career?
-I was very fortunate to have acquired an internship at the BBC.
-I had always been a very active student in many organizations and was highly involved with WCYJ-TV.
What are some lasting impacts to share with future Vira Heinz applicants?
-It was a grand opportunity for a young person to acquire something I could never have done on my own at that time in my life.
-It opened my eyes a little wider, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to realize there is so much more there to see!
Shirley Shuppe, Grand Tour of Europe 1996
What were some highlights from your trip?
-I chose to participate in the Grand Tour of Europe. This was an arts and history tour through the Netherlands, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
-Every day was an opportunity to experience history and culture that I had previously only read about or imagined; it was truly surreal.
What are some lasting impacts to share with future Vira Heinz applicants?
-Waynesburg College was a vital steppingstone.
-It provided more than an education; it challenged me to think beyond myself through community service and pushed me out of my comfort zone.
Jessica “J” Sarchet, Puebla, Mexico 2005
How did your experience shape your time at Waynesburg?
-I participated in two mission trips to Patzun, Guatemala. My volunteer work there included working with young children on early literacy skills.
-The confidence that took root in Mexico enabled me to try new things I never imagined I would – living abroad for six years.
What
are some culture shocks you experienced?
-I had to adjust to the midday siesta culture. More than once, I set out to explore, only to find stores closed for siesta.
-Bargaining at local markets, which was new to me, became something I genuinely enjoyed.
Hannah Szymanik, Accra, Ghana 2012
How did your experience shape your time at Waynesburg?
-I connected with other Vira Heinz applicants and continued in my degree path of elementary education and special education.
What is something you learned about yourself during this experience?
-In this experience, I learned about myself that I love traveling and nature. I have not had the chance to travel back to Ghana.
-I received confirmation from God that He wanted me to pursue being a teacher stateside, not abroad as a missionary.
Caley Glisan, Madurai, India 2014
What culture shocks did you experience?
-The school I was volunteering at in India was a Christian school, but the city was a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism.
-To work through these culture shocks, I really did a lot of reflecting by writing in a journal that I took everywhere.
How did your travels shape your time at Waynesburg?
-By the time I traveled abroad, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher.
-My travel abroad just cemented the fact that teaching was what I wanted to do with my life.
Marla Holland, Sydney, Australia 2017
What aspects of your experience were most memorable?
-The class I was studying abroad with went to some sporting events, and I attended some other excursions.
-This included a tour of the Blue Mountains, surfing, whale watching, and having breakfast with the koalas at the zoo.
How did your travels shape your time at Waynesburg?
-My student abroad experience shaped my future by giving me more confidence in myself and a greater sense of self-purpose.
-I was so grateful for the person I had become.
Melanie Byler Batey, India 2017
How did you handle culture shock?
-The most important lesson: laugh at yourself. You can be a beginner and learn how to figure this out.
How did your travels shape your time at Waynesburg?
-Traveling taught me to be curious about others in the world around me.
-My experience as a Bonner Scholar taught me the importance of service learning, and the VIH program gave me the opportunity to expand that passion to other countries.
Briana Zaharko, San Jose, Costa Rica 2019
What is one thing you learned about yourself after travelling?
-Following my study abroad experience, I learned that I am capable of accomplishing what I put my effort into, even if it scares me.
-My time in Costa Rica gave me a perspective on life to take each moment in front of me, cherish it, and live it well.
How did your travels shape your time at Waynesburg?
-Returning to Waynesburg, I felt more confident and encouraged to immerse myself in whatever was in front of me, including nursing studies, campus ministry, and residence life.
-My Holistic Health class sparked a passion in me to look at health and wellness through a different lens. I am currently pursuing my degree to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Savannah Lopez, Seoul, Sou
What are some preparations you made for the trip?
-I had wanted to go to South Korea since high school, and learned how to read Korean at this time.
What are some words that reflect your experience and future?
-South Korea shaped me in a way that made me realize how much I adored the independence, keeping to myself, trying new things, and being satisfied being alone.
-I have always wanted to study Korean, the culture, and the language.
-I’ve been looking into grad schools to help pursue my dreams.
Lydia Otto, Melbourne, Australia 2025
What were some highlights of your trip?
-I loved to see the wildlife in both sanctuaries and natural habitats. I was able to visit fairy penguins, which are the smallest breed in the world.
-One of my day trips was to the Twelve Apostles on the Australian coast. I was able to book a helicopter ride to view the coast.
What are some lasting impacts to share with future Vira applicants?
-Take any opportunity to explore the country you chose. I had not planned my itinerary, and in the process went to an amusement park, saw the coastline, and visited an art gallery.
-I brought along a journal to write down my thoughts and feelings throughout the trip, which can be helpful when being away from home. It can also be used to reflect on your trip years later.
