Building a Better World

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.”

Samantha Fox  – Muskegon Community College  / Fall 2012

Sam Fox is enrolled as a 2012 freshman at Muskegon Community College.   She already has 20 hours of credit at MCC through dual enrollment.  After MCC Sam plans to study Psychology at Grand Valley State University.  She hopes to attend graduate school and earn a Phd in Psychology, ultimately pursuing a career as a licensed psychiatrist.  The focus of her independent travel is a road trip to North Carolina in the summer of 2013. It is a state that she is seriously considering as a future and permanent home.  This road trip is all about searching that option for school and a career.

From Sam’s winning scholarship essay...

“…The expression ‘It’s a small world’ is often said when people discover that they have something in common with another individual, such as a person they both know or places that they have both been to, but in all reality the world is anything but small.  The cool thing about the inhabitants of Earth is that not one human being is the same.  Although, people in different countries, states, cities, communities, and families do have similar ways of doing certain things…when you meet a person who does something different than you do, it is very possible that you might find it strange.

Many people think this about different cultures, but I disagree.  If every single person everywhere did the same exact thing our world would be boring.  The differences in culture are what make us unique and our world extremely interesting.  There is so much out there to see and to learn.

There honestly is so much more out there than just Muskegon, and getting a little taste of traveling makes me want to explore some more.  You can learn a lot about the world by reading books and listening to people talk, but you don’t really know about the world until you see it for yourself.”

Nick Huisingh  – Grand Valley State University / Fall 2012

Nick is enrolled as a 2012 freshman at Grand Valley State University  where he will pursue a degree in biomedical sciences.   After his undergraduate studies, he plans to attend GVSU graduate school to pursue a degree as a Physician’s Assistant.

From Nick’s winning scholarship essay...

“…Volunteer agencies and the role that even one individual could take within a community are two extremely important ideas that coincide with one another.  Those agencies need volunteers in order to work, and it is everyone’s responsibility to get involved and help.  Society likes to complain about all of the flaws in America, or how the world is such a bad place, but even one of those people could make a difference.  Volunteering at a local agency doesn’t have to be time consuming, it could be a couple of hours as month, and it would still make a difference.  Any one single individual can make a difference, and it is the responsibility of everyone to make the global and local community a better place.

Once I become a physician’s assistant, I plan on starting my career in a less fortunate area.  I will provide medical care to anyone that might need it for any reason.  After becoming financially secure, and helping the community in which I start, I plan on coming back to Muskegon and starting my own scholarship fund at the Muskegon Community Foundation.”