A North Island College student is being recognized for her international learning experience.

K’ómoks First Nation member Mahatta Price is one of just a few students featured in a 10-year anniversary report for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarships program.

The international study-abroad program has given 2,876 scholars the chance to experience academic and cultural opportunities around the world over the past decade.

Price studied Indigenous Māori language and culture in New Zealand from February to April, including a homestay with a Māori family.

She says the experience allowed her to immerse herself in the language and culture.

Price is now planning to share what she learned with NIC’s Indigenous Education Council.

Price hopes to eventually teach Indigenous languages.

She says the experience showed her what’s possible when it comes to Indigenous language revitalization, and she hopes it will inspire other Indigenous students to pursue similar opportunities.

NIC Executive Director for Indigenous Education, Marisa Bennett, says opportunities like the Queen Elizabeth Scholarships allow Indigenous students to learn alongside other Indigenous peoples, see what’s possible, and bring that knowledge home.

NIC’s Executive Director of Strategic Business and International Development, Romana Pasca, says it’s an especially good time for students to consider studying abroad.

Pasca says NIC wants students across the region to know financial support for international study is available, and that studying abroad may be more accessible than they realize.