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Welcome to DAThompson's Portfolio Page. This page will be dedicated to the area of International Education: teaching domestic students about other cultures and helping international students adjust. The Ed Tech Tools used in the learning units will be utilized to fit that goal.
ABOUT ME
A Heart for the Nations
As a 2013 graduate of Cedarville University, I graduated knowing I choose the right major when I entered in my freshman year. Being someone who was always interested in the social sciences and with a love of people: International Studies seemed like a great fit back in 2009!
However, after spending time gleaning from my professors for four years, I discovered that my heart wasn't in working for the state department or another government office. What does one do with a major focused on international politics, history and culture? After attempting to work in the non-profit sector for awhile, and not being able to advance forward, I was struck with an epiphany!
My love for helping other people was in full gear when working with freshmen students who were orientating at CU. I loved networking students and being someone they could go to for information. I understood the homesickness not only from my own experience, but from the experience of my first roommate. She was the daughter of a missionary couple in West Africa, and was missing the beautiful dessert country where she left her heart. I realized that my love for the nations could be applied to students who were struggling with similar issues!
Thus, my goal in becoming a higher education professional is to eventually work with international students as they navigate the murky waters of American culture. To be a light shining in the dark moments they are experience, and to help them find community with not only other international students but their domestic peers.
My first internship was in the Center for Alcohol and Related Issues and I am deferring a year to develop professionally.