The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce, Eva Feasel, a 2023 recipient of the Samuel Neff Fellowship for International Study Scholarship. Eva, the daughter of Shawn Nicholas Feasel and Corinna Joe Feasel, is a graduate of Buckeye Central High School and is currently attending The Ohio State University. Eva will be studying abroad in Costa Rica this summer.
What inspired you to choose your intended major?
"I chose my intended major, Social Work, shortly after job shadowing at Community Counseling & Wellness in Bucyrus, Ohio. I always knew I wanted to be a therapist, and my job shadowing opportunity taught me about different pathways to do that. Growing up in Crawford County, I witnessed a need for more mental health professionals, which has fueled my choice to go into social work with a focus on counseling."
What are your career goals after you graduate?
"After graduation, I will be attending OSU grad school to get a Masters Degree in Social Work. I plan to become a Licensed Independent Social Worker in a private practice firm. My dream is to become a therapist for teens and young adults who speak English or Spanish. Mental health resources in rural communities, especially for Spanish-speaking populations, are lacking, and I want to do something about it."
Please describe the international experience you will be taking:
"During summer semester of 2024, I will be traveling to Costa Rica for a 6-week long program. While in Costa Rica, I will be staying with a host family along with one other student. This trip will not only help me complete my educational requirements, the cultural experience is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This program allows me to be a student at the local university to complete my Spanish minor. During my trip, I hope to immerse myself in the cultural experience while finalizing my Spanish education. I have been studying Spanish for 6 years now, and to finish my education in a native-speaking country is a huge privilege and honor. I feel incredibly fortunate for this opportunity, and even more grateful to be able to use my skill set for the good of others. I have been aware of the underserved Spanish-speaking population in and around Crawford County for a long time. The issue has grown close to my heart, which makes me incredibly proud to focus my career around it."
