Alumni Spotlight: Putting a Global Perspectives Major to Good Use
Since graduating from the College, Bethany Boyer-Rechlin (US’04, C’09) has dedicated herself to helping others and the environment. Now midway through a Peace Corps assignment in a small village in northeastern Benin, in West Africa, Bethany promotes environmentally sound agricultural practices.
“I wrote my senior capstone on women’s roles in community-based solutions to deforestation,” Bethany explains, “and I’m very excited with this on-the-ground opportunity. The Peace Corps training was very thorough and intensive. In addition to technical training related to our assignments and topics on safety and security, there was considerable emphasis on language learning and cultural issues. Volunteers can’t just go into an area and impose change. Making connections and developing relationships in the communities we serve are key to a successful experience.”
Well-meaning friends sometimes challenged Bethany about her global perspectives major, asking what in the world she planned to do with it. “I responded by telling them that I can’t avoid using it!” Bethany exclaims. “It draws from many departments—history, political science, economics, sociology and anthropology, religion, and languages, among others—and applies to everything. Its relevance to the world is its very strength.”
Bethany found many opportunities to bless others during her years at Principia. After Hurricane Katrina, she traveled to New Orleans with a group of students to help rebuild houses. During later trips they worked with Habitat for Humanity and Operation Blessing to provide additional help.
Bethany served on the Public Affairs Conference (PAC) executive board and as her house metaphysical head, a Christian Science Organization (CSO) testimony meeting Reader, and on the CSO International Outreach Committee.
“I may go to graduate school for a PhD down the road,” Bethany says. “I’m also interested in pursuing a career in international development. No matter what, though, I hope to always have an international focus in my work and life.”
Check out Bethany’s blog to learn about her time in Benin.