Nineteen Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students got the opportunity of a lifetime during EKU’s annual “Spin the Wheel” event on Wednesday, Jan. 31: the chance to study abroad, free of charge.
Held in the Whitlock Building’s O’Donnell Auditorium, a packed room of students waited in anticipation, hoping to hear their name called in the lottery-style drawing. Four categories of countries were possible for students to land on, including mainland Europe, Latin America, the British Isles, and Asia. A select few would land on “Audience Choice” or “President’s Choice,” where their country of travel would be put in the hands of attendees, including EKU President David McFaddin.
Director of EKU Education Abroad Jennifer White opened the event, and encouraged students to “scream, jump up and down, (and) wave your hands, whatever it takes so that we know you’re here.”
McFaddin told students that, despite being a “very dedicated student,” he never studied abroad. He wished his congratulations to students, and emphasized the value of a study abroad experience.
“I think this is such a transformational opportunity, that if you’re going to go out and be successful in a global economy, you have to have had a chance to go to some of these amazing places and have the immersive cultural experiences that you get when you get there,” he said.
According to White, 300 of the nearly 450 students who entered to spin were eligible, and both students present at the event and in-class had a chance to win. Freshman management major Cara McDonald took home one of the coveted trips, and almost couldn’t believe it when she heard her name was called.
“I was shaking coming up, I was so excited about it,” she said.
Mcdonald’s spin landed on the British Isles, leaving her the opportunity to travel to either London or Scotland. She is leaning towards the latter.
“I think I might choose Scotland because that seems like an amazing place to go and I’m hoping to learn some new stuff and just see a whole bunch of nature spots and everything,” she said. “I’m just so excited to do so (much) different stuff.”
Study abroad experiences, said Dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences Mercy Cannon, are transformative for students. During her time leading study abroad, many students often believed that studying abroad wasn’t a possibility, she said.
“I’ll have students look at me and say, ‘I’m just a kid from this rural county and I cannot believe I’m sitting here in a cafe in London or in a theater in Paris … this is something that just brings their dreams to life,” she said.
The event is one of the most exciting and important events the university hosts, said Provost Sara Zeigler. When they study abroad, students come back different, and often, want to travel again, she said.
Zeigler said that she hopes students walk away from their travels with the ability to see and experience new perspectives and “the discomfort of being out of place or uncomfortable somewhere,” because that is where growth happens.
Sponsors for the event included the Office of the President; Office of the Provost; College of Business, College of Education and Applied Human Sciences, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; Jerri L. Isbell Foundation; Brandstetter Carroll, Inc.; The Friends of the EKU Libraries; and the EKU Education Abroad Office.
Other students who received study abroad scholarships and their destinations include:
— Michele L. Highland, mainland Europe;
— Cara McDonald, Ireland;
— Camari Jenkins, Latin America;
— William Mattingly, Latin America;
— Emily G. Roberts, Asia;
— Jordyn L. Bailey, British Isles;
— Alexandra Crothers, Asia;
— Garrett Jenkins, Netherlands;
— Boone Depenbrock, Asia;
— Sarah Matlock, mainland Europe;
— Cy Fueda, mainland Europe;
— Morgan Traywick, Latin America;
— Hanna Houston, British Isles;
— Eduardo Cordova, Latin America;
— Trinity Fogleman, mainland Europe.
Another student will be selected in place of an individual who was selected but is not able to take the trip.