New York University President John Sexton and Roman Blanco, president and CEO of Santander US, signed a renewal agreement through 2017 to support the Santander Universities Study Abroad Scholarship Program and the Santander Universities Spanish Creative Writing Fellowship. Support from Santander Bank, N.A., through its Santander Universities Division, has enabled New York University students to enrich their academic experience by studying abroad and supported graduate fellowships in Spanish Creative Writing since 2008.
“The support of Santander in allowing New York University students to study abroad and in bringing talented graduate students to the New York campus to pursue creative writing in the Spanish language is key to our continued ability to enhance and promote a global understanding of shared values and distinct cultures,” said John Sexton, president, New York University. “Given the university’s global efforts, NYU is a natural partner for Santander—a global bank, with a local focus.”
The renewed agreement generously provides funds to enable students to study at any NYU site outside of the United States through the Santander Universities Study Abroad Scholarship Program. Without support from Santander, these students would not be able to participate in one of the most meaningful aspects of an NYU education.
“The best way to contribute to the communities in which we work is by supporting higher education,” said Roman Blanco, president and CEO of Santander US. “Our support of these programs enables students at New York University to broaden their educational experience and helps prepare them for the future.”
Funding also supports the Santander Universities Spanish Creative Writing Fellowship. The NYU Creative Writing in Spanish Program is the first and remains arguably the best of its kind in the United States. The establishment of Santander’s fellowship program for graduate students in creative writing in Spanish has allowed NYU to compete for some of the most talented young artists and scholars in the field.
The continued support from Santander demonstrates its commitment to societal progress through investment in education.

In a recent op-ed, Nicholas Kristof emphasized the many ways in which international experience, including studying abroad, is beneficial for young people: http://nyti.ms/1iMCnTr