Nov 09 2022 29 mins
Santa Fe College graduate Abigail Dumonceau visits with Dr. Vilma Fuentes several years after graduating from SF and receiving award notice for the Boren Scholarship for study abroad funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP). Unfortunately, Abigail has yet to travel since the award notification due to study abroad limitations brought on by the worldwide Covid19 pandemic.
Abigail has always had an interest in international studies.At age 17, through a voluntourism trip she describes the transformative experience which she describes as an awakening, making her more genuine and authentic in her daily practice after returning to the United States.
Abigail recalls fondly her participation in SF Student Life organizations like the Global Society club and the Model U.N. She discusses how learning to develop policy and exposure to foreign delegations, along with studying abroad in Sweden provided invaluable experiences and boosted her confidence to pursue the National Security scholarship.
After a long wait, Abigail announces upcoming plans to return to South Africa. Now, equipped with the knowledge of the Zulu language, courtesy of the African Flagship Language Initiative Program at the University of Florida. She hopes to utilize the trip to support her argument that natural resources are critical to national security. Combing her interests in wildlife ecology, conservation, and sociology.
After two years study abroad programs will begin in 2023 at SF, to find out more visit sfcollege.edu/studyabroad.