2013

Becca Blaustein

I attend the University of Denver (DU) in Denver, Colorado. I just began my third year as an Art Major and I am minoring in both Education and Spanish. Currently I am studying abroad for a semester in the Dominican Republic in order to both practice and improve my Spanish speaking skills. Living in the Dominican Republic with a host family has given me the opportunity to gain insight, knowledge and understanding about the people and customs in a developing country. It has provided me with volunteer opportunities, and the chance to make a difference in peoples lives, part way across the world. The Dominican Republic is also filled with rich culture and beautiful scenery. This experience has opened hundreds of doors to learning opportunities I could not receive without living here for 4 months. While I am here, I have been given the chance to take a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) class in order to earn a certificate to teach English in Latin American countries. My dream is to someday teach abroad in a Spanish speaking, developing country and use the Arts as a means to do so.

            Receiving the Nicole Lemieux Knight Scholarship provided me with a stepping stone to achieve this dream. Seventy-two percent of undergraduate students at DU study abroad in another country. One of the reasons I chose this school was the ease, aid and variety of opportunities to study abroad. If a student earns good grades, he or she can study abroad at no additional cost. This means air fare is covered, and any scholarships earned still apply. The scholarships I received gave me the opportunity to study at my dream school, one I could not have afforded to go to without support from the Nicole Lemieux Knight funds. I am forever grateful for the generosity.