Student Spotlight: Ken Kliesner

by Ann Abbott

Ken Kliesner is one of those students whom professors love, because you can tell he's in college to learn. Really learn as much as he can.

And part of soaking in everything you can in college is going abroad. Take a look at the places Ken has studied: 
  • Jordan 
  • Ecuador 
  • Brazil 
Aside from everything that he must have learned in those three experiences, the combination of those three unique places is significant in and of itself. You can tell that he takes (calculated) risk, doesn't just follow the crowd (most study abroad students go to Europe and English-speaking countries), can manage change and actually enjoys working with people who speak other languages and have other cultural perspectives. Those are all highly valued characteristics in a variety of work environments. 

Combine all that international experience with Ken's work with recent immigrants in the US--from all over the world--and a full picture emerges of a young person with highly developed global literacy, intercultural communication skills and a strong ethical awareness.

So when Ken told me he was applying for the Fulbright Binational Internship Program in Mexico, I was delighted to write him a strong letter. In exchange, he sent me the following information so that other students can see the path he has taken and how it has led him to where he is now.

Gracias, Ken, y much suerte con la solicitud.

Basic information
Tomé la clase SPAN 332 "Spanish and Entrepreneurship" el semestre pasado.  
 
Community Service Learning (CSL) Information
Hice mi trabajo voluntário en el ECIRMAC y especialmente ayudé con unos refugiados angolanos porque yo era el único voluntário que hablaba portugués.  Claro que ayudé más todavía con los inmigrantes hispanohablantes y con unas protestas contra los recortes presupuestarios del Gobernador Rauner.
 
Other Information
Aprendí el significado y la importancia de emprendimiento social en la sociedad y las comunidades rurales, que antes nunca fue un asunto en que me había enfocado o de que había aprendido.  Estoy solicitando a la beca Fulbright para hacer este tipo de trabajo en una organización sin fines de lucro en la Ciudad de México que trabaja en la política pública.  Estoy considerando estas organizaciones entre otros: "http://www.alianzacivica.org.mx/somos.php" y "http://nosotroslosjovenes.org/quienes.html".  Estudié en una comuna indígena afuera de Quito, Ecuador y fui voluntario en la comunidad, ayudando con el desarrollo de ella.  También estudié en Amman, Jordania haciendo investigación en la crisis migratoria con refugiados de Síria.  Finalmente, estudié la lengua portuguesa y la cultura brasileña intensivamente en Río de Janeiro.

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