STARS Across the Globe
 STEPHEN OCHSNER - 2nd Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar at OCU
Stephen Ochsner is a Sophomore Honors BFA Acting student who was awarded the 2nd Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship recipient at Oklahoma City University to study abroad for a semester academic program at the O'Neil Moscow Art Theatre Semester, Moscow, Russia for the fall 2008 academic semester.
“I’ve spent the past six years as an actor in theatre, a singer in opera, a technical intern at an experimental theatre, and a teacher of children, but as a student in an existential journey for art, it is impossible to confine my aspirations into one ultimate goal. My aspirations lie, rather, in the total submission to process. There is no greater way to become the most advanced artist I am able than to continually open doors revealing new concepts awaiting my discovery. Therefore, I suppose, my ultimate goal in this life as a theatre artist is forever continuing my education.
To me the O’Neill Moscow Art Theatre Semester is simply the next step. The cultural experience of living in Moscow will expand every part of my mind and spirit, allowing me to gain a better understanding of human life. Attending classes six days a week in the birthplace of modern theatre will saturate my body with technique; pure technique which was not diluted by traveling across the ocean. And once in tune with both of these, I would be inspired, motivated, and more keenly aware of how theatre can restore a dignified human endeavor to our increasingly lost civilization.” - Stephen
“Russia is the place where nothing is allowed, but everything is possible” – Drazdin
 SHAYLA JAMES - 1st Taiwan Government Language Grant recipient at OCU
Shayla James is a senior Business Administration major with a minor in Chinese. Shayla has been involved in several campus organizations and activities such as being the Co-Founder and former president of OCU’s Generation Blessed Gospel Choir, a member of OCU’s Blue Tie Ambassadors, a member of Alpha Mu Theta Foreign Language Fraternity, a member of Blue Key Honor Society, and former OCU Women’s Basketball Manager; all while maintaining a 3.5 GPA. In the of Spring of 2008, she applied for one of ten Taipei City Government Language Study Grants for Enhancing International Exchange. Shayla was awarded the grant to study for two semesters and will be attending the Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, Taiwan. Shayla plans to enhance her knowledge of the Chinese language and culture and pursue a career in the field of International Business Relations.
 AMANDA K. BRUNT
"I spent the semester based in Cairo, Egypt in the Middle East Studies Program. In addition to our scheduled classes for Arabic, Islam, Politics, and Conflict in the Middle East, we participated in many other activities. I took tabla (Egyptian drum) and Egyptian dancing lessons. We each had homestays for a week and I really got to know my host family. I learned how to navigate the Cairo metros and even how to direct taxi drivers in Arabic and bargain down my costs! It was quite an experience, and one that I will remember for a lifetime."
Oklahoma City University political science/international affairs major Amanda Brunt recently received a scholarship from the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW).
The Betty Rendel Scholarship is awarded to students who are majoring in political science, government or economics and who display extraordinary leadership ability. Only two students from the country were selected to receive the scholarship this year.
Brunt was recognized for the achievement in the Fall 2008 issue of Republican Women magazine, the official publication of the NFRW. She told the magazine that she hopes to become an ambassador to Europe when she finishes her education.
You can access the magazine directly by going to
http://www.nfrw.org/documents/publications/TRWFall08.pdf.
She plans to graduate in 2009 and is studying in Brussels, Belgium, at the Universite Libre through the OCU Office of International Education’s Study Abroad program. Brunt speaks French fluently and has also studied in the Middle East.
Brunt is a student of political science professor Richard Johnson and French professor Jacques Buttin.
TOMMY JONES
The photos with the guys standing on a bridge and me by the monument were taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina during our fall semester of 2007. The other two (me by a river and a group of guys seated) were taken by Rio Parana in Rosario, Argentina where our sister school is located and my study abroad was conducted. The group of guys in the photo around a table have all came to OCU as part of our reciprocal exchange.
MONICA STOROZYSZYN
"Studying in France and having the opportunity to travel throughout Europe was the best thing I did for my education. I learned more about myself while learning about other cultures and history than I imagined possible."
Eiffel Tower photo: The Eiffel Tower at night. I can say that when it sparkling at night it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
Normandy: My trip to Normandy, the site of D-Day in WWII, was something I’ll never forget. There are no words that can really express what walking through those crosses taught me about war.
La Bocca della Verita: The Mouth of Truth, located in Rome, was something I was excited to get a chance to visit, especially after seeing Roman Holiday. In all honesty, I was more nervous than I should have been when I placed my hand in the mouth!
Hall of Mirrors: The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The Palace at Versailles is one of the most ornate places I have ever been. I can’t imagine what it was like when it was used by French Royalty.
RENZA SHARPE
“Studying abroad in Spain was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had- I not only learned a lot about a culture, I lived the culture. I learned about art that I got to travel and see in person. It was amazing! Once you have studied abroad, your life changes forever.”
1st - A random building in Sevilla at night
2nd - In Triana with some friends after a tapas dinner
3rd - The cathedral in Sevilla (3rd largest in the world)
4th - Bullfight in Sevilla, Spain
MIKE HAXTON
"Study Abroad changed my life, simple as that. It expands your horizon, opens your eyes to the world. Study Abroad gives you the chance to see things you never thought possible or be in a situation that you couldn't have imagine. It is something I believe every person should do, not only so they learn about the world around them and other cultures, but also learn about who they really are and what kind of person they want to become."
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