Student Profile: Shane McFadden
Recent graduate Shane McFadden has been named a recipient of an English Teaching Assistantship Fulbright Grant for 2014. Thanks to the grant, Shane will the next nine months as an English teaching assistant at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. During Shane’s stay in Brazil, he wishes to become proficient in the Portuguese language.
Shane has had a passion for foreign language since he began studying Spanish in high school. During a study abroad trip to Valencia, Spain, Shane had the opportunity to intern as a class assistant at a German Language School. This experience introduced him to the world of teaching and fueled him to enroll in the Language Education Program at the Graduate School of Education (GSE).
During his time at the GSE, he embarked on the International trip in Argentina under the guidance of Dr. Flores. He gained a great deal of insight from the trip abroad and feels that the time he spent with his Argentina host family gave him a very authentic experience.
“Staying with a host family was definitely a valuable aspect of the trip,” notes Shane. “You get to indulge in the culture and get a taste of what life is like in another country that you wouldn’t ordinarily get to see.”
The knowledge and first-hand experience he gained from the Argentina trip influenced him to apply for the Fulbright Grant.
“I was honored and humbled by the award,” said Shane. “It still hasn’t sunk in that I will soon be living in Brazil.”
Looking back on his time at the GSE, he is thankful for all of the opportunities he was presented. Shane’s gratitude for the opportunities available to him as a GSE student led him to contribute to the Students Supporting Students campaign.
To learn more on what the GSE has to offer, follow the links below to our website.