Experiential Learning
“My parents are both pastors in Poland,” shared Newberry College student Kornelia Rudkowska. “Our bishop sent an email sharing that there were a few ELCA International Women Leader Scholarships available. The chances were really small, and I never thought I would get it, but I applied.”
“In Poland, we are part of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession, but it is simpler to say, ‘I am Lutheran.’ People know what you mean when you say that,” shared Kornelia. “I really didn’t allow myself to have expectations about coming to Newberry because even up until the last day it didn’t feel real. I arrived in the US at 11 pm and I was still thinking it wasn’t real.”
“There are three types of High Schools in Poland, and I was in the high school plus technical school for 4 years. I took my final exam, and I could have had a ‘real job’ there, but Newberry College is very different than that school. In Poland, I would sit and do book learning for 6 hours and then have tests. Here, the education is more experiential work. It is more helpful in an actual job and improves my qualifications.”
Kornelia is a Communications Major and would like to be a Public Relations Specialist working in advertising after she graduates from Newberry in 4 years. She enjoys video production, photography, and design.
Kornelia is in her second semester now. “For the first month, I was closed off. I was in my shell because I was struggling with the language barrier,” she shared. “But I got a lot of support from the school. Dr. Michael Smith (Assistant Dean for Student Engagement) picked me up from the airport, helped me get a social security number, and supported me in other ways. Then I started making friends and now I have people to sit with at lunch – I have real people to spend time in addition to seeing my friends from back in Poland online.”
While Kornelia isn’t sure how God will use what she is learning in her future, she is grateful for the opportunity to continue her education and experience a new culture and country.
“Newberry’s participation in the ELCA’s International Women Leader Scholarship Program brings tremendous value to the college,” shared Jay Salter, the External Communications Coordinator for Newberry College. “It is an active, visible manifestation of the college’s Lutheran roots in action and prepares students for our mission to be global citizens. Lutherans from all over the world can come here and have educational experiences rooted in faith.”