Erin Williams, a University of Central Florida senior from Jacksonville, Florida, has been awarded first prize in the undergraduate category in the DAAD essay contest,Changing Demographics: Migration Flow From and To Germany.

Williams explored this theme in her essay, "Confronting Modern Slavery: Germany's Determined Fight against Human Trafficking," which was judged by an international panel of jurors. It can be read on www.daad.org/?p=essay.

For submitting the winning essay, Williams will receive roundtrip airfare and a grant to conduct independent research in Germany this year. Her proposed research project is to examine migration trends and possible trafficking trends in one local area of Germany.
The competition was opened to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students from U.S. and Canadian institutions or students graduated from those institutions in academic year 2006-07.

"Erin's essay was chosen because it was not only interesting and well-written from a reader's perspective, but it clearly explored the overall concept," said Peter Kerrigan, deputy director of DAAD New York. "The jurors on the selection committee also felt that her research proposal was strong and could benefit from a stay in Germany."

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the German national agency for the support of international academic cooperation. The DAAD offers programs and funding for students, faculty, researchers and others in higher education providing financial support to over 50,000 individuals per year. DAAD also represents the German higher education system abroad, promoting Germany as an academic and research destination and establishes ties among institutions around the world.

DAAD New York, which is one of 14 international branch offices, was founded in 1971 to support academic exchange between the U.S., Canada and Germany. DAAD New York maintains three major missions: to act as a bridge between U.S., Canadian and German universities, higher education professionals and students by providing information and assistance; to administer fellowships and other programs for students and scholars in the U.S. and Canada; and to contribute to Germany's public diplomacy by promoting Germany's academic, scientific, and cultural achievements in the U.S. and Canada.