Below you will find our scholar blog posts – they cover a variety of topics, from arriving in the U.S. to interning with a stellar company to post-graduation dreams.
 A Zoom class with my professor and classmates |  While usually full of students, Bucknell's quads are now quiet |
 | SHE-CAN staff called Muhlenberg senior Marie Grace Imanariyo to discuss her spring break trip with Habitat for Humanity, where she helped paint the houses of families in need in Broward County, Florida. On the trip, she learned about the positive outcomes that can occur when you push yourself out of your comfort zone. Note to reader: This trip occurred in early March, before most states had self-isolation orders. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. |
| SHE-CAN: Can you tell me more about your trip and why you decided to sign up? Marie Grace: I went on an Alternative Spring Break volunteering program with Habitat for Humanity in Broward County, Florida. 14 of us from Muhlenberg spent a week there working on painting a house for a family in need. We worked with groups from two other colleges and also had enough time to do some sightseeing and exploring in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.I did the same type of spring break trip last year in Corpus Christi, Texas and absolutely loved it. I knew right away I wanted to do another Alternative Spring Break my senior year. I love Habitat for Humanity’s whole model and using my strength and energy to work with others on contributing to someone’s life who really needs the help. |  Painting ceilings was one of her primary tasks |
 | As a Program Coordinator for Immersion Projects at the Center for Public Service (CPS), I had the opportunity to travel to Alabama this winter break and lead a group of 14 students (along with a program mentor) to study the Civil Rights Movement. CPS is a distinctive program at Gettysburg College that focuses on connecting students with local communities to promote social justice. |
 Me and a friend taking a photo booth picture at the Equal Justice Initiative Museum | Then, we left for Alabama where we visited three different cities: Montgomery, Tuskegee, and Selma. In Montgomery, we visited the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his first service, and we met with people who worked closely with him. We got to visit the location where Rosa Parks had her first bus boycott. We also visited the Equal Justice Initiative Museum in Montgomery, which was founded by attorney and social activist Bryant Stevenson. Through this museum, I was able to see how systematic oppression is still an issue in the US today, taking on the form of mass incarceration. When I came to Gettysburg College as a first year in 2018, we were asked to read his book Just Mercy as our campus-wide first year read. To be able to visit his museum and see the work he has done in Alabama was very surreal. |
 Celebrating my first birthday in the U.S. | If I was asked, “How was your 2019?” my answer would be that it was a year full of changes, challenges and first experiences. In short, 2019 was a year of transformation for me because my dream of coming to study in the U.S. came true and my life hasn't been the same since.It all started back on December 16, 2018 when my lead mentor, Terri Garnick, sent me an email saying that she received a package from Gettysburg College. I remember exactly how excited I felt when Terri read my acceptance letter during our Skype call. The joy, pride and excitement my mentor team, family, friends and I shared on that day are still vivid in my mind. From that day on, I started counting down the days until I left for college. |
 Shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond before moving into my dorm |  Dinner with my mentors (from left: Riva, Maggie, me, Terri, Andrew and Nancy) |
| SHE-CAN staff sat down and conversed with Nich Vunn about her recent trip to New York City, where she attended a SHE-CAN dinner, saw a Broadway musical, and spent some time with a couple of her mentors. Here’s how it went:SHE-CAN: So How was the trip overall?Nich: It was amazing. I got to meet amazing and inspiring women at the SHE-CAN event. I also loved the fact that I got to share the experience with Vuochnear and Barbara. I got to walk around the city and see the broadway show Pretty Woman.SHE-CAN: Was it fun sharing the experiences with Vuochnear?Nich: It |
