Dare to do
For four months, UW senior Kainen Bell balanced masters-level business courses with intramural soccer games, castle tours, and lots and lots of sausage and chocolate as an exchange student in Mannheim, Germany. Five years ago, he never thought he鈥檇 have the opportunity.
鈥淚 continuously wrote it off, thinking it would be impossible with my financial situation,鈥� says the Tacoma, Washington native. 鈥淢y sister and I were raised by a single mother, and we depended on government assistance. Even though going to college and traveling the world was a goal of mine, it seemed impossible.鈥� But thanks to scholarship support, Bell 鈥� who will graduate in June with a dual degree in social welfare and business 鈥� was able to not only attend the UW, but cross two continents off his list.
First up was a trip to Brazil through the business school, which inspired him to return again 鈥� this time, to get more invested in the culture and the people by teaching English, learning Portuguese along the way. He was hooked. 鈥淚 was able to make it happen once, and then say 鈥榊ou know what? I鈥檓 going to do it again,鈥欌�� says Bell, who received support from a .
My time at the UW has taught me to take advantage of every opportunity and to never discount yourself or get discouraged. Now, I鈥檓 always putting my name in the hat and believing in myself.
So he did, jumping on a four-month student exchange program in Mannheim, Germany through the , where he balanced masters-level courses with travels across Europe. 鈥淏eing able to see 鈥� and touch 鈥斅爐he Berlin Wall and ancient castles, and all the old, gothic architecture was really cool,鈥� says Bell. 鈥淚t was surreal to see the Olympic stadium, too. I鈥檇 seen it in documentaries about Jesse Owens, and I always hoped one day I鈥檇 be able to go there. To actually do that was incredible.鈥�
But more rewarding than being able to witness European history firsthand, says Bell, were the connections he made throughout his journey 鈥� and the ways those connections helped him think about his own identity.
Support study abroad
The Global Business Center scholarship helps undergraduate and graduate students in the Foster School of Business participate in exchange or study abroad programs.
鈥淚 met people from France, Germany, Spain, Columbia, Kuwait, Egypt 鈥� all over the world,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 would sit down and talk to them about their cultures and where they鈥檙e from, and it was really cool to be able to share my experiences as an African American male and educate people about my background while learning about theirs and breaking down stereotypes. It helped me think about my identity and how important it is for me to continue traveling and sharing.鈥�
Now, Bell 鈥� who鈥檚 been a leader and mentor on campus through the , the , and the 鈥� has made it his mission to help other people from similar backgrounds realize their goals, too.
鈥淏eing able to travel abroad has inspired me and shown me that anything is possible. I love encouraging others, and I want to help other people realize their dreams can come true, too,鈥� says Bell. 鈥淪haring my experiences and saying, 鈥楾his is where I was, and I see a lot of potential in you,鈥� and helping those students who were in my same shoes reach their goals has been really rewarding,鈥� says Bell.
Next up? Graduate school, to earn his masters in social work with a focus in business and combine the two worlds to do community development on an international level.
鈥淢y time at the UW has taught me to take advantage of every opportunity and to never discount yourself or get discouraged,鈥� says Bell. 鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 always putting my name in the hat and believing in myself.鈥�
