Hunter Koster – Muskegon Community College / Fall 2012
Hunter is enrolled as a 2012 freshman at Muskegon Community College. After MCC, Hunter plans to 
enter Ferris State University’s Forensics Pathology program. His longterm goal is to earn a medical degree from Michigan State University, leading to a career as a Medical Examiner. The focus of Hunter’s travel plans involves a Spanish study abroad program through MCC’s Spanish Department in the summer of 2013 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
From Hunter’s winning scholarship essay...
“…Traveling to new places can be a scenic and astounding experience. When people decide to travel to different locations, it is not only to relax or to enjoy the new scenery, sometimes people travel to gain incredible life experiences. Traveling for any person is essential in understanding other cultures. My desire is to travel to Mexico in order to seek out the differences between their culture and ours, to completely immerse myself within their culture and language and help break down stereotypes held towards that country.
…I’ve been fascinated with the Spanish language since I took my first year of Spanish in my sophomore year. Ever since I’ve grown to love the language. Throughout the three years that I took Spanish at Oakridge I was an avid learner. Now I wish to attempt to put those three years to the test and immerse myself in the Mexican culture.
…in Mexico I will be able to learn the true ways of how they live. Through experience and awareness, I could help end the misconceptions that many people carry towards Mexicans. My family, like many in our community hold stereotypes towards groups of people they don’t even know. This trip with MCC would allow me to learn international differences, put my language skills to the test by placing myself within the Mexican culture, and allow me to help diminish stereotypes.
All in all, this experience would be the trip of a lifetime.”
