Sara Foster
- Wausau, Wis.
- BSW (bachelor of social work), with a certificate in child welfare
- What's next: UW-Milwaukee social work graduate program
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| Sara Foster, right, posed for this photo with a volunteer translator from the South African program in which Foster was a social work intern for 3½ months this semester. Visible in the background is the community near the Lesotho border and nestled in the Drakensberg mountains where Foster worked with children and families. (Contributed photo) |
For Sara Foster, the UW-Eau Claire undergraduate experience has been all about seizing opportunities.
The 2005-06 recipient of the university's Julie Guite Social Work Scholarship and former campus president of the Association of Student Social Workers participated twice in the Alternate Winter Break program, through which students volunteered in schools and shelters in some of the most impoverished areas of Washington, D.C. Before each trip, she helped solicit donations of school supplies from UW-Eau Claire students, staff and faculty, community members and local businesses, which then were distributed to inner-city schoolchildren in the nation's capital. Foster also studied for a semester in Australia, and she completed an internship working with children and families in a rural community in South Africa.
More on Sara Foster
Future plans: I was just accepted into the master's of social work program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I'm specializing in children and families. I hope to be a school social worker with my master's degree and maybe someday end up teaching at a university.
What she liked most about her time at UW-Eau Claire: I have really enjoyed the number of opportunities, educational and experiential, available to students at UW-Eau Claire. The variety of opportunities allows students to pick and choose what they want to be involved with. While being a part of these opportunities, I have met people with similar interests and made wonderful connections throughout the community and world.
UW-Eau Claire career highlights: Every year seemed to have a new highlight, but they were all part of growing up and learning about myself. The dorms were my first adventure in college, where I met some lifelong friends and had some great experiences. I was fortunate enough to be involved as a member and officer of the Association of Student Social Workers and Phi Alpha Honor Society, where I learned more about my profession and community. Other campus organizations, like the Center for Collaborative Leadership, have helped shape my outlook and experiences as a leader. I've also studied abroad in Australia and just recently finished my internship in South Africa. I have enjoyed getting to know faculty through independent study and being an instructional assistant for a first-year experience class. I also really enjoyed getting to know a lot of people through intramural soccer.
Proudest college accomplishments: I have been fortunate enough to receive a scholarship and leadership award nomination from faculty in my department. It has been nice to know that they recognize my hard work and dedication. I think my biggest accomplishment is my work in South Africa. The only recognition I get is my completion of the program and a diploma, but it was an amazing experience. I was accepted into a rural community where I worked as a social worker with children and families. I learned so much about the culture and lifestyle, but more so about my personal life and where I want to go. Some days were rather difficult, but I made it through and will always have that experience.
Advice for incoming students: Don't ever think of college as only an educational experience. I think UW-Eau Claire has wonderful programs and professors, but that is only one part of the experience. Please get involved in whatever your interest is and let that guide you to new experiences and people. Please be open to anything and learn from past mistakes. UW-Eau Claire offers so many opportunities for you to really get to know yourself and guide you to a successful experience.
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