STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Andrea McCarthy and Emilee Basham, December 2012
Study Abroad Buddies
What is your academic area of study and what are some of your career goals?
Andrea: I attend WKU-O to obtain a bachelor in Middle Grades Mathematics. I hope to find
a career teaching math in a local middle school after graduation.
Emilee: Middle grades math education. My goal is to experience different cultures in education
by going abroad for my final semester during my student teaching unit. After graduation,
I plan to obtain employment in a middle school teaching grades 7 or 8. I hope to make
a difference in student's lives as a teacher, mentor, and role model throughout their
academic career.
What inspired you to seek a college education?
Andrea: For me, I knew that I wanted to work with young adults and math, so teaching seemed
like the perfect combination of both, and I knew that to do so I needed to earn my
teaching degree. I was the first in my family to graduate high school and I wanted
to set a good example to my younger brothers by furthering my education and going
to college.
Emilee: Obtaining a degree has been a personal goal of mine since I can remember. I have
always wanted to make the most of the opportunities provided to me. Being rewarded
a scholarship inspired me to complete a college education and give back by teaching
others the skills they need to be successful in life.
What would you say your motivation for succeeding is?
Andrea: My motivation comes from the hope of helping young adults. Middle school was such
an influential time for me, and students need a good role model at that age. I feel
like I could be someone the students could learn from, and also talk to about everyday
life.
Emilee: I will be the first member of my immediate family to graduate with a bachelor's
degree. I strive to be an asset to my community and a valuable member of society.
Being able to work with future adults and teach them how to be successful is very
motivational to me.
What led you to participate in Study Abroad through WKU?
Andrea: Emilee and another student were talking about studying abroad to do their student
teaching one day before class and it just stuck with me, so I did a little research
and decided that it was something I would be interested in, so I went to Emilee and
told her that if she was serious, I wanted to do it too. I am very excited to be immersed
in another culture and feel like this will help me when I come back and find a career
here. It will help me relate to a new student, or maybe I will have a student from
Germany and I can help them get adjusted. It will broaden my understanding of another
culture and I will bring back so much knowledge to use in my future classroom.
Emilee: I have always enjoyed traveling. Being able to see a variety of places and experiencing
different ways of living is fascinating. This world is so diverse. The more I can
see, the more I can experience, the more knowledge I can gain. If I can saturate myself
in a different culture for a few weeks, it will allow me to obtain different ideas
to use in my own classroom. Dealing with diversity is something I might not be able
to experience while staying locally, however it is something I will get the opportunity
to see abroad.
In as many words as you would like, please tell us a little about yourself.
Andrea: I am 24 and I work at US Bank Home Mortgage. I have a yellow lab that is two years
old named Izzy. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, especially my two
nephews, and baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes. I attend Yellow Creek Baptist
Church and love to help out with the children whenever possible.
Emilee: I am 25 years old and live in Hancock County. I have 2 dogs, Lucy and Rigby. My
dad works at an aluminum plant, my mom is an LPN, and my brother is in the Air Force.
I love to travel and spend time outdoors. During my free time I enjoy canning, cooking,
spending time with family, and watching football. I am a Badgett Scholarship recipient
for the last 4 semesters. I play piano for New Chapel United Methodist Church in Hancock
County.
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