Global Scholars 21/22 Addresses

Rania Lewis Address

Rania in her address, highlighting her enjoyment being in NI, revealed:

• she was born and raised in Austin, Texas and has always lived in the same house with her parents and 2 years younger brother
• both her parents are from Morocco, she is a "dog mum" to an 8½ years old German Shepherd and is an avid linguaphile and traveller
• she went to University in Austin and, as her parents as immigrants could not afford to, she is the first in her family to be a college student; she studied 2 majors - International Business and Business Administration - and was 1 of 10 recipients of a Presidential Award; she was a member of the Student Government and as a Student Ambassador welcomed 1000s of students
• she revealed that her parents claim she never rests and as an undergraduate was notable for working on laws (which were passed) to improve the lives of others - picture right shows her testifying before the Committee of Elections and right meeting the former basketball player Dirk Nowitzki who is 7' tall!
• since she arrived in Belfast, apart from all the immense reading for her dissertation, she has been meeting with current and former Global Grant Scholars learning all about Belfast, getting connected with local Clubs, having Gaelic lessons with fellow peers, traveling around with friends having been in Dublin and will be spending the weekend in Downpatrick and finding how different Guinness tastes here than in Texas

Rania concluded that the Global Grant Scholarship has changed her life and she hopes to maintain her involvement with Rotary and go to Law School in Austin hoping to put her experience to good use; her career goal is to be a Political Officer at the UN

Allie Linzing Address

 In her address Allie highlighted she had always had a passion for education and wished to see that all children can get access to education that meets their needs. In particular she noted:

• she came from Arlington Heights near Highland Park, Chicago
• she had volunteered at school especially with Interact but hadn't realised the relationship with Rotary!
• had studied for a degree in Special Education at the University of Illinois
• she then spent a very eye-opening and formative time in Madrid teaching, enjoying the people and culture and travelling to 7 other capitals/countries; this huge experience was capped with earning certificates in bi-lingual education and Spanish and learning the different approach to special needs in Spain
• with the onset of the pandemic she returned to the USA and began teaching in Cool Stream which highlighted the home life of students and technology inequalities
• the experience crystallised that she wanted to pursue helping children who have difficulty keeping up and she came across the Inclusion and Special Needs study at QUB which she described as "perfect for me" and which she is greatly enjoying
• after she qualifies she wants to go back to teaching, either formally or in the area of policy, help as many children as possible and ensure all get access to education

Concluding, she stressed her thanks for the support of Rotary which was fundamental to her being here and she could not have done this without it; she was also excited to join with Rotary which, she noted, shares her passion for education as one of its Areas of Focus.