嗨! (“Hi!”) My name is Verchantelle, but you can call me Shannon!
I was born in the United States, but I grew up in Taiwan from the age of 3 until about 11. Taiwan is very special to me because I made many of my favorite childhood memories there.
I always hoped I would have the chance to return someday and experience it again. When I started college and became involved in ROTC and the Army National Guard, I thought studying abroad was no longer possible for me. After realizing that I could still make it work, I spent a lot of time researching, planning, and coordinating my school, ROTC, and military responsibilities to make everything fit together.
I’m now 21 and a college student at UC Davis in California, and this semester, I’ll be going back to Taiwan to study at National Taiwan University in Taipei! I’m excited to explore places I remember from when I was little, discover places I’ve never seen before, meet new people, try new foods, and see where life in Taiwan takes me 10 years later!
Outside of being a student, I love adventure recreation and trying all kinds of different activities! I’m probably what people would call a thrill seeker or an adrenaline junkie. I love anything from skydiving, jet skiing, and scuba diving to rock climbing, escape rooms, and amusement parks. If it looks fun, exciting, or even a little scary, I want to try it!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
