Photo Gallery
Murray Scholarship Recipients
Established in 2006, The Mark A. & Elizabeth C. Murray
Scholarship for Study Abroad is intended to support students who wish
to study outside of the United States but without this fund would
otherwise not be able to afford to do so. In addition to the Murray
Family, the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses
has contributed to the continuation of this scholarship, which helps
send 4 - 8 GVSU students abroad every year.
BETHANY RYDER, ECUADOR
Dear Murray Family,
I don’t even know where to start. You are the reason that I was able
to live my dream. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s so true. With
the money that I received from your generous scholarship fund I was
able to purchase my plane ticket to Quito, Ecuador where I lived and
student taught for two months. I was placed with a family who spoke
only Spanish, and for that I am forever grateful. Now that I am back
in Michigan and student teaching for the last time I find myself
becoming a valuable asset to the school when a Spanish translator is
needed to talk to the parents of my very diverse students. My
experience in Ecuador was culturally rich and fulfilling. I became a
global citizen. I had never travelled outside the United States, but
it had always been my dream. While I was there I felt whole and new,
my adventurous spirit was born. I went from being able to only say
hello and goodbye to my host family to having full conversations with
them. I surprised myself with the things I was able to do. Travelling
abroad has given me the confidence to pursue teaching jobs in areas
that I had never considered before. With my special education
background I taught 4th grade math and science at Colegio Americano de
Quito, a K-12 school in the heart of the city. I had never felt more
accomplished than I did when the principal of the school asked me to
come back next year and teach. Usually these teaching jobs are only
offered to veteran teachers with at least three years of experience in
the U.S. You made this all possible for me. My eyes have been opened
to things that I didn’t even know existed. I have discovered that I
can make a difference through international teaching. I want to bring
special education programs to areas of the world where these children
are often overlooked and hidden from public. Teaching and travelling
abroad was the highlight of my college experience. I met and made long
lasting connections and friendships with people from all over the
world. Once, while walking the streets of Quito and wearing a Grand
Valley shirt, a man from Australia walked up to me and said he had
once been an international student at GVSU. How rare and strange that
when I’m half way across the world I meet someone with that
connection. This is all because of you. I will cherish these memories
for the rest of my life.
Sincerely Yours,
Bethany Ryder
View More Photo Gallery