Four Tabor College students chosen to study abroad
Four Tabor College students have been chosen to participate in Council of Christian Colleges and Universities-endorsed study programs.
Angela Buller, Caleb Dirks, Jenniffer Fabling, and Steve Lautt will study specific areas of interest in specialized academic programs during the upcoming fall academic semester.
To be accepted in to the programs, students were required to submit recommendations from faculty, the dean of students, and the dean of student life, as well as a personal reference, and complete a lengthy series of essay questions outlining personal, academic, and spiritual goals.
Buller, of Ingalls, has been accepted in to the Contemporary Music Center on Martha's Vineyard where she will have the opportunity to study marketing in the music industry.
"I was initially introduced to the opportunity through Linda Cantwell [assistant professor of communication at Tabor College]," said Buller. "She knew that I had a great interest in marketing and music, and she told me about the opportunity to study music marketing with the executive track at CMC."
Through this program, Buller hopes to determine if she would like to pursue this route as a career.
"I wish to connect with some very knowledgeable people and I would love to understand more of today's music and our society's culture," she said. "I am anxiously anticipating the classes and getting to know the professors, and I think that this will give me a good look of the outside world."
Dirks, a native of Durham, will study at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, one of L.A.'s primary film and television production centers.
Through an internship program, Dirks will have opportunities to utilize state of the art camera and editing equipment and learn the inner workings of Hollywood entertainment through a Christian perspective.
"My reaction upon acceptance was silent and lifeless," said Dirks. "I was fairly drained. It was the end of the day, and most of it had been spent worrying, but it finally got to the point of knowing God would do with me what He willed. I was relieved."
Dirks' interest in movies and film has grown through his college years.
"I'm constantly trying to squeeze in time to make videos, largely at the expense of any homework that actually should be done," said Dirks. "So it's an extremely natural decision for me to try to make it possible for my homework to be film and movies."
With this opportunity comes the responsibility of setting personal goals of achieving great things he has never done before, Dirks said.
"More accurately and importantly, I hope to gain a strong knowledge of film and its industry, and have confidence that I can make it in such a medium," said Dirks.
"I fully expect this experience to enrich my life. It will help me gain a broader perspective on the world as I will know more about film and the film industry and will be challenged as a person."
Fabling, of Lakewood, Colo., was accepted into the culture-crossing program in the Australia Studies Center. She will attend the Wesley Institute in Sydney where her studies will concentrate on studio art and international studies.
"I am a graphic design major and I found that it would be a great opportunity to study art and culture in a different country," said Fabling. "I hope to get a better understanding of the culture and to become a better person through learning from their way of life."
Through this experience, Fabling hopes to challenge herself academically while establishing herself for her professional life after Tabor.
Lautt, of Minot, N.D., will study foreign and domestic policy from a Christian perspective through the culture-shaping American Studies Program located in Washington, D.C.
An element of this program includes an internship that will connect him with an organization or member of Congress.
Through this opportunity, Lautt hopes to gain knowledge to how Christians can participate in government while following Christ.
"I feel that meeting new people from all over the country and the world will help me to gain perspective on the role of the American government in the world," said Lautt. "I also trust that this experience will allow me to make connections and relationships that will be useful for achieving professional goals, as well as enrich my life spiritually."
