Here I am. I have been wanting to get this blog started for quite some time now, because Canada has been on my mind for about six months, but for the reason of not knowing where to start, I have simply procrastinated. With that said, I am ready to jump right into this thing and give the viewers, and myself, something to look at when trying to learn about how taking risks and exploring a new place can change your life.
For the people who don't know, I am a Senior at Clemson University. I have been studying business management while here, with a minor in horticulture and and emphasis area in international business. Okay, so what is this blog about?
Being a fifth year senior (four years just wasn't enough!), I knew before this semester that the state scholarship would be running out. In the state of South Carolina, the state scholarship is rewarded for 8 consecutive semesters, and here I am, arriving at the 9th. So, I needed some money, and I really wanted to study abroad for a full semester somewhere because of how much I grew and enjoyed my trip to China last summer. (Click on China if you are interested!) Long story short, I was told that I was pretty much guaranteed, with my grades, a big scholarship to go to Canada to study. I applied, and I got it!
Because of Fulbright Canada, and my acceptance into the Killam Fellowship Program, I will be able to do the honors of helping to bring a better understanding between the United States of America, and its neighboring country of Canada. I am so very thankful for this opportunity, and I hope that I will be able to bring as much success to this program as all of the minds and hands behind the program hope for. While I feel that I came upon this program by chance, I am fully committed to the idea and I want to bring prosperity to all involved in this movement of understanding.
With all of that said, I will be in the beautiful town of St. Johns, in Newfoundland, Canada. If you don't know where that is, simply look at a map of North America, locate the most eastern edge of the continent, and that is St. Johns. How amazing it will be to be the first city to see the sun rise every morning. It is my hope that you will follow this blog, as I will try to make it more entertaining and diverse than the last blog (any suggestions?), and that you will tell others about it. I feel it is my duty to become the best ambassador that I can, which can only be done with the help of others.
I will update before I fly out, which is on the 2nd of September. I can hardly wait for what is to come in the next 4-5 months!
Sincerely,
Benjamin
