WKU News

Ellie Burdette from White House, Tennessee was a recent arrival to the southeast region of US and as her college search process began, WKU was an unknown institution. She was still finding her footing in a new city and state and as her family began exploring institutions, WKU was the first institution that they toured, explaining her surprise of seeing the campus as more of a “‘…wow, this is amazing’, and we came back for a second tour and it was amazing. I just loved the people, the Spirit Masters that led us around were amazing, and the VIP tour with the business college was amazing – they talked about all the opportunities available in business.”

WKU’s campus appealed to her because of its size and location in Bowling Green, KY – a city of moderate, yet growing, size – and the walkability of the campus and surrounding areas. Ellie entered WKU in the Fall of 2023 as a business administration major with a minor in global business, with a firm promise to herself “to study abroad which I knew I wanted to do.” Her interest in business was supported by her parents and by her high school experience of managing a small bakery business.

Ellie’s start in the Mahurin Honors College was also by a nudge by her parents because she was unsure of pursuing the program in college because she “just didn’t actually think that I would get in.” However, at the Honors orientation retreat in August 2023 (formerly known and fondly remembered as H4), Ellie crossed paths with Will Randolph, formerly of the Office of Scholar Development, where she learned of the Benjamin A. Gilman award for study abroad.

“I talked with him about studying abroad in fall ‘24, so he was like, ‘you know what we’ll try now, like when we get on campus text me, email, me, and we'll get started.’”

Her first attempt at the Gilman award was unsuccessful, but Ellie learned from her experience, explaining that “the first time that I applied for Semester at Sea, they [OSD] kinda told me it was not likely that I would get it because the Gilman kinda sees [it] as more of a vacation but OSD said if you're willing to put in the work, just try [again] anyway, and OSD convinced me to try again. And I'm glad that I did because that gave me like somewhere to go off. And you know some feedback kind of on what I already wrote.” She applied a second time making a stronger rationale for her program choice and how the experience would not only enrich her collegiate experience but how she could also be a model for others.

In Fall 2024 semester, Ellie will be studying in Barcelon, Spain at UAB – Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)  and “the credits transfer really well” for her business major requirements. She noted that she had great support from Marissa Jones, Peer Advisor in WKU Global, in selecting her program, and this experience includes a home stay with a host family, enabling Ellie to experience deep immersion both inside and outside of the classroom.

While Ellie is somewhat understandably nervous about her upcoming experience, she’s also no stranger to international travel. She spent eight years of her living in Thailand, and with her family, has traveled to and around Asia and Europe. Watching her mother plan and execute these trips makes her “really confident going in [to a study abroad] to adapt and do well.”

A part of her preparation is studying the basics of the Spanish language by attending religious services delivered in Spanish, explaining that doing so in Thailand had helped her with her language acquisition because “a lot of times, you kind of know what they're saying because you know what the verses are in English.”

Upon her return to campus from studying abroad, Ellie hopes to become a peer advisor with WKU Global to coach other Hilltoppers to study abroad, and to continue as a student ambassador with the Gordon Ford Business College.

Reflecting on her persistence and on how to encourage peers to take advantage of OSD’s resources, she stated that “it doesn't cost you anything to apply… it does take time, but if we're all honest, we have more time than we admit to. So my philosophy on all scholarships is just go for it. Just throw your hat in the ring and something will probably come of it.”

Ellie also noted that her experience enabled her to better understand herself and her goals and the process of writing for a Gilman application taught her how to structure essays for other scholarships. At this time, she’s not quite ready to consider applying for a Fulbright scholarship as part of her post-graduation plans, but her experiences of living abroad have instilled in her the transformative power of cultural exchange, sharing that “I think international travel is really important to people's lives…everyone should go on a study abroad because it just really changes your perspective on the world and how other people live.”

Ellie Burdette’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of international education, and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. From her initial uncertainty about attending WKU and joining the Mahurin Honors College, to her relentless pursuit of the Gilman Scholarship, Ellie exemplifies the spirit of determination and resilience. Her upcoming adventure in Barcelona, Spain, is not just a milestone in her academic career but a profound opportunity for personal growth and cultural immersion.

Ellie’s journey underscores a critical message for her peers: take every opportunity, embrace every challenge, and learn from every experience. Her advice rings true—apply for that scholarship, study abroad, and don’t be afraid of rejection. With each attempt, there is growth, and with each experience, there is a chance to redefine oneself and one’s goals, and that is a mark of a true Hilltopper.