Meet the Team
Janaan Decker
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Leena KarsanI am Leena Karsan, the Living Center Director for Niemeyer
Honors & Calder Arts. I have been working at GVSU since June
2009. I received my Bachelor of Science in
Communication/Psychology at Eastern Michigan University and my
Master of Education at the University of South Carolina in
Higher Education Student Affairs & Administration. |
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Annie Hakim
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Eric Nodge
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Meredith Elizabeth Osborne
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Ross Ezinga
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Christine SauerMy name is Christine Sauer, and I will be a junior this year. My major is anthropology and my minor is Spanish. After I graduate, I hope to continue with my education and study some combination of nutritional anthropology and the sociology of food. I also love to learn foreign languages, and would be thrilled to study another language (if time permits!) My main interests are reading (I'm a total bookworm) and working out, so in my free time I'm either voraciously reading (usually a book about food, such as Fast Food Nation or Food Politics) or running. The farthest I have travelled is San Francisco, so this trip will be a completely new experience for me. I’m so excited to be exposed to a different culture and a way of life, and I look forward to learning everything that the Ghanaians have to teach me. While in Ghana, I hope to learn how to live in the present and not worry too much about the past or the future. I can’t wait to work in the orphanage and at the Challenging Heights school, but I have a feeling that the Ghanaians will teach me more than I can teach them. I hope my perspective on life is challenged and changed for the better. |
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Kaleigh CarlsonI am going to a sophomore this year and am majoring in Biology (pre-med emphasis) with a minor in International Relations. I also run Track and Cross Country for Grand Valley and am involved in Campus Ministries. I like to snowboard, read, and pretty much do anything outdoors in my free time. I am traveling to Ghana to do something larger than myself. I want break out of my “West Michigan box” and really open my eyes to the “real world.” I want to learn from this altruistic society there and, hopefully, overcome my narrow-minded and selfish way of thinking. I have always dreamed of working with missions in a developing country, whether it would be medical or spiritual. I am not exactly sure what I want to do as a career, but I am hoping this trip will point me in the right direction. Finally, I want to grow closer to God and show His love to these people. I hope I can give back to them a little of what they will give to me. |
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Beth ThimmeschI was born in Wichita, Kansas. I moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan at the age of 11. After high school, I completed my undergraduate degree and master’s degree at Grand Valley State University. I have worked professionally in the GVSU Housing and Residence Life Office for the past three years as an Assignment Coordinator and Apartment Director. In my free time, I enjoy reading, bike riding, and overall being in the outdoors. I am interesting and excited for the Ghana, Africa trip for the opportunity to travel to a new country, experience a new culture, work with GVSU students abroad, and take part in the activities scheduled for the trip. |