Dear Marist Study Abroad:
It has been quite a while that I have contemplated writing this letter, and today I have finally found the words to express my sincere gratitude and best wishes to the Marist Abroad Program. I was a Marist study abroad participant in the British Internship program, Jan.-Jun. 2000. It was an experience that will forever change my life and grant me the opportunities I have today. Being in the professional workforce for only two years now, I have had the opportunity to realize one of my goals and continue to give back to the opportunity I had as a Marist Abroad Program participant.
After returning from the British Internship program, I knew I wanted to dedicate my professional and personal life to encourage other students to take advantage of international travel and education. It was then I decided that working in a study abroad office, and eventually teaching university courses in International Relations was my destiny. I started working in January 2002 at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota as the Academic Coordinator for International Business Studies. Within this capacity, I am also in charge of our six study abroad programs. When I began my employment at NSU, we had only two students abroad in our (then) four programs, and no foreign students enrolled at NSU. Now, in my second year, we have six functioning and prospering exchange programs, and I have six students going abroad this fall, and a total of 16 students coming to NSU! I have worked very hard to increase the success of our exchange program, modeling our program after the experience I had with the Marist Abroad Program.
I occasionally return to the Marist.edu website to keep up on news, and of course, to see all the advancements in the Marist Abroad Program. I am amazed at the strength and continued dedication of the staff of the MAP. At any opportunity I am willing to tell others of how much my undergraduate experience has changed my life!
I am currently completing my MS degree in Education at NSU, and have the opportunity next year to teach a Culture & Communication course to our large group of international students.
I am fully indebted to the Marist Abroad Program, and I am a proud representative of Marist College, and in particular, the Marist Abroad Program. Congratulations on your impressive new website, and best wishes for continued success and unlimited potential in the field of study abroad.
Sincerely,
Leigh Shillington
Academic Coordinator, International Business
Northern State University
