It's a Small World

“Tupperware” is a universal word. At first meeting, the French kiss once on the cheek, the Brazilians kiss both cheeks. The final exam makes up approximately 80 percent of the final grade in college courses in Ireland. And more travel is a definite in the life of Megan Scott ’16.

These are just a few realizations Scott had while studying global marketing, human resource management and international trade economics at University College Dublin in Ireland in spring 2015.  Immersing herself in her study abroad experience, she made friends with other international students, traveled to six countries in her six months overseas and whet her appetite for more travel.

“Being abroad has changed me, making me very positive and forcing me outside of my comfort zone to constantly try new things,” said Scott, a business and economics double major. “I realize how important it is to live in the now and do what you want rather than wait.”

She was the first recipient of the Michael Zalkin Memorial Scholarship, established by Ilana and Andy Zalkin ’76 in memory of their son who was only 13 when he was killed in a tragic accident in 2004.

“I cannot thank the Zalkins enough for their generosity,” she said. “I appreciated the story behind their desire to establish the scholarship. It was very touching. I am happy I could go to Ireland, and I hope that they’ve shared some of my experiences with me.”

When applying for the scholarship, Scott laid out her long-term plan to work with women entrepreneurs in developing countries someday. After her travel abroad experience, she said she realized that someday is now.

When she heard about possible open positions in economic development with the Peace Corps in Thailand in January 2017, she crafted her senior thesis to focus on Thailand’s developing economy.

“I am not sure that I am ready to jump in and go to Thailand yet, because I don’t know the language and you really have to research the culture before you move there,” she said. “So I thought if I’m serious, I better start researching it. So I did.”

She’s also exploring the possibility of working with the Peace Corps in Ghana, Cameroon or South Africa, or taking a marketing position with an American company overseas.

“Today, I have friends who live around the world, and I’m hearing about their experiences and it’s getting me interested in those places,” Scott said. “What I liked best about traveling abroad was being put in a completely unfamiliar position and figuring out how to learn and adapt to what’s going on. I enjoy the challenge, and I enjoy meeting people who break the stereotypes we might have about others.”