Happy holidays from Edmonds Community College!

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Study abroad experience: Perseus McDaniel

Edmonds Community College student Perseus McDaniel studied Italian and Italian sign language in in the college's study abroad program in Florence, Italy and became inspired to encourage other Deaf students to participate in overseas study. He was featured on the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange. 

When state budget cuts made it impossible for sign interpreters to travel overseas to assist Perseus, the Associated Students of Edmonds Community College stepped in to help make his study abroad experience possible.

"I became interested in studying in Italy after learning how to read and write in Italian. Through my education in Italy I hope to work as an Italian-English sign language interpreter in the future. I also became passionate about helping others learn American Sign Language (ASL) after volunteering as an ASL teacher’s assistant and tutor for a year and half. My passion is to raise awareness that eligible Deaf students can access study abroad too."  — Perseus McDaniel

Student success: Supriya Patel

Supriya Patel received the Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth attended Edmonds Community College, earned her Associate of Arts in Elementary Education and is now attending CentralWashington University-Lynnwood and earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education Major. 

To find out more about this degree option, attend an information session 6 p.m., Tues., Dec. 7 at CWU-Lynnwood.

The Governor's Scholarship came with support services through a program of extended student services for foster care alumni at Edmonds CC.

"In addition to the scholarship, I also had opportunities to attend orientations and meet people at the college — a lot of small things that were very helpful." — Supriya Patel

Supriya helped give the program for foster care alumni a new name, Foster the Dream.

More about Supriya's story:

Why Edmonds CC? My sister attended Edmonds CC. So I knew it was a place where I could save money, talk to my instructors, and have a good experience.

High school: Meadowdale

Best college experience: I liked the small community and my instructors’ office hours. I had a lot of good teachers.

Favorite classes: Psychology with Patrick Gorman — I took a few of his classes and always enjoyed them. — and Geology with Maria Kelly — Her style of teaching and the materials she taught were great. I didn’t struggle at all.

Support for students: I recommend the Learning Support Center — I used the Writing Center. There are also a lot of resources for textbooks. You can reserve them at the library, look for books on the message boards in Brier Hall, and borrow them in Brier Hall at the beginning of the quarter — if you get there early!

Advice for students: Be involved — that way you will succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — it doesn’t hurt to ask!

College goal: Master’s Degree in Education

Dream job: 2^nd grade teacher — I had a chance to work at Hilltop Elementary School as part of my classes at Edmonds CC. I got into that classroom and I was like, ‘Now, I’m happy.’ I knew this was what I wanted to do.