See stories from GVSU Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients before, during & after their adventures abroad.
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
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