ASHLYEE HICKMAN
Living Editor
The hall of the Tyler Campus Center tells a story— a story of dedication, scholarship and perseverance. The glass pane across from the International Programs office proudly displays the names and faces of those proven worthy of the various Pepperdine fellowships; the most recent addition is senior Amy Joehlin.
Joehlin said she loves adventure. Whether it’s wanting to leave the country on a day’s notice or flying to Brazil to teach English, Joehlin has an appetite for the new and unexpected.
Joehlin is the latest recipient of Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.
This August, Joehlin will attend graduate school at the University of Malawi in Africa where she will continue her adventures and explore her passion for learning about the world around her.
With her involvement with the Let’s Start Talking ministry and various service projects, Joehlin is set to make a difference in the world.
How did you feel when you found out that you won the scholarship?
It was hard to recognize the severity of the situation because when I found out it was 13 months away. Even now, I’m really excited about it, but there are still some details that need to be worked out. Now that it’s getting closer it’s starting to feel more real.
So far, how has the application experience helped you?
I love new things and new experiences. I think now is the time to do this, when I can still be a force and don’t have any attachments. [Applying for the fellowship] really made me think about what I’m passionate about. It’s my way of experiencing things.
Throughout your life at Pepperdine and especially the application experience, what is something that keeps you going?
On my Facebook there’s a quote from Dr. Nelson, “You blunder forth without reasons.” I try to find out why I do the things I do. When I think about it, I find that I absolutely love adventures.
How did you handle your scholarship application?
I have to be efficient for all of the things I do. I’m good with time management— at least I try to be. I think I have the natural personality that’s pretty laid back.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to find out?
My mom often asks me if I’ve eloped in Mexico, yet. So it might surprise people to find out that I can be unpredictable.
You’re a senior now— what’s a nugget of wisdom that you would pass to the students who you are leaving behind?
Learn to be who you are. Don’t sell yourself out, and don’t let anybody change you unless it’s for the better.
What is something that you really want to do?
I would love to drive from here to the tip of South America and back. That would be a sweet trip. I’d like to travel the world. I’m not the kind of person who would just want to travel to Europe, I’d rather be in somewhere like Africa.
How do you approach adjusting to a new culture?
I think forgoing who you are in your culture would help you experience someone else’s. So often, people want to be American in a different country. I want to forget I’m American and do the things they do and learn their culture.
02-08-2007