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.
 | The SHE-CAN staff chatted with supporter Peggy Northrop about her trip to Phnom Penh to help recruit the next cohort of Cambodian candidates. Peggy is a former magazine editor-in-chief (Sunset, Reader’s Digest, More) who is now consulting from her home in Mill Valley. This was her first recruitment trip with SHE-CAN. She joined Founder and Executive Director Barbara Bylenga, Program Manager Madison Shepard and mentors LeeAnn Bissell and Barbara Giuffre. |
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 | Before I came to the United States, I knew college was going to be a challenge but a wonderful challenge. My first couple of days at Gettysburg College were difficult. I dealt with cultural shock, homesickness and a busy schedule. But as the semester progressed, everything got easier with the help of my professors, my academic adviser and my mentors. |
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| I would describe my 30 day winter break as the most incredible time of the year. On December 20, I flew to San Francisco to meet my mentor Terri Lyders and her husband Mark Reynolds, and I got to spend my first American Christmas with them. I remember waking up in the morning asking them “I’ve got presents?!” just like Harry Potter. I’ve never received so many presents in my life. On the same day, they took me sightseeing around the city. We visited the life-sized Gingerbread House at the Fairmont Hotel and the huge Christmas tree in Union Square. |
 | On December 27, 2017, I received an email inviting me to speak at the Parlay House event “Resilience to Rise.” It took place at the home of SHE-CAN mentor and Parlay House Founder Anne Devereux-Mills. Parlay House brings women together to discuss success stories and issues of concern like how women should fight for their freedom and be recognized as able human beings in society.I asked myself: What can I share with these successful women as a student born and raised in a different culture? I was a little bit nervous. However, in my mind I told myself it’d be a great opportunity for me to share my story with others. |
