Chanslor named Brad Henry International Scholar

Office of Communications & Marketing |Northeastern State University
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Cultural insight and a semester of education in the United Kingdom awaits Northeastern State University junior Martyne Chanslor, who was recently named a Brad Henry International Scholar for the 2013-14 academic year.

Chanslor will spend January June 2014 in Swansea, Wales, and attend classes at Swansea University during the spring term.

I've always been interested in studying abroad during college, said Chanslor. This particular scholarship attracted my attention, because it covers a full semester instead of just one or two weeks in the summer.

Chanslor, of Tahlequah, will attend classes at Swansea University which transfer as course credit toward her degree at NSU.

I'm a very intercultural person, she said. I've always loved learning as much as possible about as many countries as I could, and I have quite a bit of overseas traveling experience.

Swansea was of particular interest to Chanslor because the university offers courses in teaching English as a foreign language.

While at Swansea, I want to immerse myself in Welsh culture as much as possible, said Chanslor. I plan on learning some of the language. I also hope to be able to travel around the U.K. a bit and visit some of the places I've read about. Since I will be in the U.K. for about six months, I plan to learn and experience as much as possible.

Beyond the classroom, Chanslor said she hoped to spend time in the city, make friends, learn to cook Welsh food and enjoy being on the coast.

Another of my goals is to be a good representative of NSU at Swansea University, said Chanslor. I hope, through my experience studying abroad, to be able to help other NSU students who have similar opportunities.

In 2008, Gov. Brad Henry established the Henry scholarship as an opportunity for students at regional Oklahoma universities to study abroad. Each year, a student at each regional institution is chosen to spend a semester in Wales.

Chanslor expressed gratitude to those who facilitated her nomination and selection, saying she otherwise could never have studied abroad.

A panel of faculty and staff reviewed the applications and interviewed the top candidates. The panel ranked those interviewed and sent its nomination to NSU President Steve Turner. He selected a nominee and an alternate to send to the Board of Regents for the Regional Universities of the State of Oklahoma. The board made the final selection.

I would like to thank Dr. David Scott (professor of speech), Dr. Audel Shelburne (associate professor of English) and Miss Susan Semrow (instructor of English) for writing me letters of recommendation, and the search committee for recommending me to President Turner, said Chanslor. I would also like to thank President Turner for nominating me, and the regents for awarding me this scholarship.

For more information about the Brad Henry Scholarship or NSU's study abroad opportunities, call the Office of International Programs at 918-444-2050.