Alexandra McDermott
Creighton University’s Global Scholars Program is a four-year educational and professional development program designed to immerse select students in a variety of cultures for a rich academic, social and service experience. Alexandra McDermott is among the program’s first graduating class.
Nursing school beckons after Global Scholars journey
During a semester studying at Australia’s University of Sydney, Alexandra McDermott found her vocation.
Australia was McDermott’s introduction to college life, being the first semester of her freshman year, followed by a service trip to the Dominican Republic during her sophomore year—all part of her participation in Creighton University’s Global Scholars Program.
The Global Scholars Program, founded four years ago by Creighton University President the Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, provides four global study and service experiences during four years of study. Two of those—Australia and the Dominican Republic—were common to all participants. Going forward, Sydney, Australia, has been replaced by Bologna, Italy.
“Global Scholars allowed me to grow into the person I am today,” says McDermott, a California native who will graduate in May as part of Creighton’s first Global Scholars cohort.
“I am a medical anthropology major because of this program. I had the opportunity to take an indigenous history course in Australia where we learned about the Indigenous peoples of Australia, and that opened my eyes. So, now I’m planning to attend nursing school.”
“I’d like to be a travel nurse both domestically and abroad. Anthropology and the Global Scholars Program have added greater meaning to this goal. Having an opportunity as a future travel nurse would allow me to work in various geographic locations and within diverse populations.”
The semester in the Dominican Republic involved service projects, McDermott says.
“We had a 10-day immersion experience in a rural community where I stayed with a host family and an 87-year-old woman who was the hardest working person I have ever met,” she says. “We helped build an aqueduct and grew very close to our hosts. It was a very reflective time, with lots of ups and downs, but I remember it as pure bliss.”
