A Record Number of McKendree Bearcats Are Studying Abroad

Six Are Headed to the U.K., Ireland and Peru

(LEBANON, Ill., January 6, 2015) - Participation in McKendree University’s study abroad program is at an all-time high, with six students in Europe and South America this semester. The following three are living and studying in London at Birkbeck University:

Alexis “Lexi” Sauerwein, of Belleville, was eager to go abroad again after spending a month in Germany during high school.

“Exploring the world and immersing myself into new and interesting cultures have always been a passion of mine,” she said. The junior marketing major-management minor intends to pursue a master’s degree in fashion marketing and management. She hopes to “see how companies around the globe operate and discover some of the top fashion cities in Europe.”

Belleville resident Abby Haida sought information on McKendree’s study abroad program on her first visit to the campus as a prospective student. The junior double major in criminal justice and business administration is achieving a goal she set in her first year.

Maria Foehner, a sophomore business administration major-management minor from Breese, was influenced to study abroad by her grandfather, a local businessman who owns several gas stations.

“I hope to further my knowledge and generate new ideas to improve the company that my grandfather once started. I want to learn how foreign countries operate and manage their businesses,” she said. She plans to travel throughout Europe as much as possible.

Hannah Valpert, a sophomore history education major from Granite City, will spend the semester at arguably one of the world’s most beautiful campuses, the University of Limerick in Ireland.

“Seeing how other countries approach education will expand my mind and help me as a future educator,” she said. Interested in Irish culture and history since early in high school, Valpert will visit ancient castles, historic fortresses and architecture dating back to the Normans.

Taylor Rossi, a sophomore occupational therapy major-Spanish minor from Petersburg, Ill., is the first McKendree Bearcat to study in Lima, Peru. She will practice her Spanish-speaking skills at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, one of Latin America’s highest ranked universities.

“I want to open myself up to the life-changing experience offered by spending time abroad,” said Rossi, who participates in McKendree’s Advanced Leaders program, Kappa Lambda Iota sorority and the speech team.

Elizabeth “Liz” Gilman, ofTown and Country, Mo., a junior mathematics major also pursuing a secondary education certification, is at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

“I hope to become a better-rounded person through this experience, because it will help me to view the world and everything in it in a new light,” said Gilman, who looks forward to Glasgow’s many cultural offerings, as well as outdoor adventures a bus ride away.

 

-McK-