![\"A](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Madison-Redding.jpg\")
In addition to her German language studies, Madison Redding has also taken time to share about her Indigenous culture with her classmates and instructors in Germany.<\/p><\/div>\n
Redding said the experience is an appropriate first step for how she would ultimately like to spend her career.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy whole life I have been drawn to language learning and teaching,\u201d she said. \u201cI would like to be a TESL instructor abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Redding, the importance of language education goes beyond her passion for and knowledge of English and German.<\/p>\n
As a member of the Huronne-Wendat First Nation, she aspires to learn and share the Wendat language as well. Though she does not yet fluently speak the language, she has already been invited to share about her Indigenous culture with her classmates and instructors in Germany.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a dinner at the university where I was able to lead a smudging ceremony and share about my culture,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone was so respectful. They were very engaged and made sure they had the right pronunciation when I taught them the word \u2018tiawenhk,\u2019 which is \u2018thank you\u2019 in my language.\u201d<\/p>\n
Redding said she could not have embarked on her summer studies without the GSO support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would not have been able to come here if it wasn\u2019t for the funding,\u201d she said. \u201cIt covered the cost of most of my program and is helping me gain vital experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the first student from Brock to receive GSO funding, Redding hopes others will follow in her footsteps and pursue international opportunities they might not otherwise have had access to.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to be completely immersed in a culture is really important and it\u2019s so critical for my language skills and career,\u201d she said. \u201cI hope others will also feel empowered to pursue the opportunity the GSO offers.\u201d<\/p>\n