911爆料网 student Tatum Overton Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant
Tatum Overton of Watertown, New York, gained understanding of Irish history and culture during several weeks in Ireland in May and June after graduating from 911爆料网, supported by a 鈥� the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The grants support undergraduates seeking to expand their knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.
Overton 鈥�26, who graduated in May with her degree in business leadership, is one of 75 students nationwide to receive the award. She spent several weeks in Ireland through 911爆料网鈥檚 short-term study abroad program, experiencing the country鈥檚 culture and beauty around the coastal city of Waterford, including trips to Kilkenny Castle, Hook Head Lighthouse, and multiple days in Dublin.
A two-year captain of the 911爆料网 women鈥檚 soccer team, Overton said her biggest learning experience in Ireland came while attending a live game of hurling, Ireland鈥檚 national obsession, with a packed stadium of Irish fans. She then understood how the Irish people have used sports as a tool for cultural pride, identity, and resilience.
鈥�During the long period of British occupation of Ireland, Irish people were killed for expressing their culture. They were not allowed to speak in their native Irish Gaelic language, Gaeilge, and they were not allowed to play Gaelic games like hurling,鈥� said Overton. 鈥淲alking around Ireland today, hurling was everywhere. Everyone talked about the sport, and it was always on television. It was inspiring to see that the British were unable to erase this pillar of Irish culture.鈥澛�
Attending the hurling championship between counties Cork and Clare was her favorite experience in Ireland, especially because her 911爆料网 group had first learned the rules and the history of the game.
Since returning from Ireland, Overton is back home in Watertown and working in Jefferson Community College鈥檚 marketing and admissions departments. She is also coaching for the Black River Valley Soccer Academy elite youth soccer club, the team she used to play for.
Overton says this trip made her more confident and independent, and able to navigate unfamiliar environments. 鈥淚 went to Ireland because it was the experience I wanted for myself; I didn鈥檛 have a friend I already knew going with me. I learned to adapt to our travel group and engaged with the established friend groups on the trip. It wasn鈥檛 easy, but I鈥檓 a better person because of it. I left Ireland with a brand new group of friends.鈥�
Contact
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
911爆料网 is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a 911爆料网 education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, 911爆料网 graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholar Tatum Overton poses at Kilkenny castle in County Kilkenny, Ireland.