When Opportunities Come Knocking

By Meagan Reiners (’17)

Before Nebraska Wesleyan, the word “interdisciplinary” didn’t mean much to me. I came to NWU with a set plan—to major in exercise science, get a quality education, and become a physical therapist. But my NWU experience went far beyond my major and my idea of what a “quality education” meant. I couldn’t have imagined then that my most impactful experiences would happen outside of the classroom, taking me to three different countries and unlocking passions I didn’t know I had.

I took my first Spanish class at NWU because it felt like something I was expected to do. I started learning Spanish in high school and figured some level of fluency would look good on my future résumé. But Wesleyan helped me discover that I truly love the language. Being able to connect the language to exercise science also made me realize that becoming bilingual would make me a better physical therapist one day and help me serve a wider range of patients.

I decided to declare a second major in Spanish, and went on to fulfill my study abroad requirement in Costa Rica. I lived with a host family, had all my classes in Spanish, and volunteered at an after-school program where kids came to learn English and learn about the United States. It was my first time traveling abroad and my first time truly away from my family and friends.

That semester was one of the best and worst experiences of my life. I dealt with a lot of culture shock, especially considering my language skills were not as advanced as they are now. I had to overcome many fears, absorb a different way of life, and fend for myself for the first time. I had thought I was pretty mature for my age, but I could feel myself growing up.

Back at Nebraska Wesleyan, I dove into my exercise science studies with a newfound enthusiasm. I had the opportunity to intern at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and Makovica Physical Therapy, which led to a part-time job as a physical therapy technician.

That might have been a perfectly fine ending to my college story, but Wesleyan is a place where opportunities come knocking on your door.

I ended up doing my senior capstone project in Guatemala, volunteering at an orphanage for children and young adults with disabilities. My majors were being put to use simultaneously. I was honing my language skills and learning about another culture, all while preparing for my future career path. I got an inside look at another country’s healthcare system. Yet what I most remember is what I learned from the amazing people working at the orphanage. We were in a poor community, so these were people who didn’t have much. But they were full of pure happiness and gratitude. The daily act of helping others gave them so much joy, and that sense of joy is now something I try to emulate every day.

My next adventure took me to Mexico for a student-faculty collaborate research project with the help of my amazing advisors, Professor of Exercise Science Tamra Llewellen and Professor of Modern Languages Catherine Nelson. My project studied the relationship between the consumption of caffeine and quality of sleep in two different demographics—college students and rural villagers. I was joined by my classmate, Jesse Tenney (’17), who helped me collect data. It was incredible to integrate my research at NWU with research attained abroad using my language skills and cultural insight.

I don’t think I would have been able to see my majors come together in such significant ways without the liberal arts environment at Wesleyan and the personal connections I had with my professors. I was constantly encouraged to explore, think outside of the box, and ask broad questions. It didn’t take long for me to grasp the connections between what I was learning in my classes and what I was learning in my internships and my travels.

After graduation, I was accepted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Physical Therapy Program for graduate school. Nothing can really prepare you for graduate school, but NWU did teach me good study habits, time management, and the ability to juggle many different things at once. I’m taking a medical Spanish class at UNMC and I was one of four physical therapy students invited to take part in a service trip to Nicaragua over spring break. I have no doubt my global experiences at NWU contributed to me being chosen.

Before I left Wesleyan, I chose to give to my senior class gift. I received so many incredible opportunities, from scholarship support to study abroad. I knew I wanted to give back so that someone else could have the kinds of experiences I had. I wanted future students to look back on their time at Wesleyan and say, “Wow, I did that.”

I look forward to the day when I can give back in even more meaningful ways, both to the university and to my future patients. It may not be much, but I know I am making a difference in my own small way. Like my colleagues at the orphanage in Guatemala, giving back now fills me with joy, and that is something I will carry with me throughout my life.