Chasing chances

Learning Environment: Sarah Nagel, Demaris McBride and Kyle Lucas (above) enjoy an authentic meal while studying abroad in South Korea last summer. Photo Courtesy of Sarah Nagel
Learning Environment: Sarah Nagel, Demaris McBride and Kyle Lucas (above) enjoy an authentic meal while studying abroad in South Korea last summer. Photo Courtesy of Sarah Nagel
Ferris opened a wide door of possibilities to three students who simply had the courage to walk through it.

Sarah Nagel, Kyle Lucas and Demaris McBride partook in a career-changing seven week FSU study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea last summer.

Since studying away, all three students have been offered year-long teaching positions in South Korea.

Graduate students Nagel and Lucas will be leaving for this extended Korean adventure on Feb. 4.

Round trip airfare to their new work location in Daegu, South Korea and the cost of their rent will be completely covered throughout their stay. They will be working 30 paid hours each week. The new path taken in their careers would not have been possible without the opportunities given at Ferris.

“I’m going back. I wouldn’t be doing this if I never went there in the first place,” Lucas said.

Ferris students have the opportunity to study away through the Office of International Education. Students can earn academic credits on their program, learn a new language and expand their cultural experiences.

“I think that students think they can’t study away, because it’s too expensive. I didn’t have any money to go to Europe and I got it by talking to people. If you feel like you can’t go, talk to people before you rule it out,” McBride said.

Nagel recommends students to experience the world of traveling and studying abroad. She described how she experienced a different culture, friendly people and excellent food. The program they attended offered them a chance to meet new people from all over the world including South Korea, Australia, England and other parts of the United States.

“People need to develop their own views of the world. You’ll never know about the world until you go. It’s nothing like we see on TV,” Mcbride said. “It changed my mind on what I wanted to do in life.”

During their stay in Seoul, the first three weeks of the program were designated to tutor students in English. After their experience of tutoring other college students, the rest of the program was for personal education studies. Some classes attended were art history, Korean language for beginners, and eastern civilization.

“I enjoyed my time in Korea. I will be moving back to Korea for a year and teaching students. They want to work on their English. They are college students just like you, Nagel said.

During their first Korean experience, they made life-long friends and are excited to go back. To have a well-paying job out of college and continue their love of traveling, Lucas, Nagel and McBride see no drawbacks.

“Personally, I can’t see drawbacks, because I would be working and leaving Big Rapids right after college. I’m getting paid more and my boyfriend is going,” Nagel said.

McBride will be joining Lucas and Nagel in South Korea after his graduation in May.

“I love traveling. I have the opportunity to travel and pay off student loans,” said Lucas. “This was a life-changing experience. If anyone is interested, they should do it.”

For more information on studying abroad, contact the Office of International Education or visit ferris.edu/studyaway/. n