Rarely does a first-generation college student move out of the country 7,273 miles after one visit. Alumna Paydon Guernsey says, it’s her passion.
Semester Abroad
Raised by her grandmother Joanne Wade in West Plains, MO. Guernsey didn’t think she would go to college. Now, she’s taking her elementary education degree to Jiangsu, China to teach English.
The Missouri State University-West Plains alumna was a member of TRiO Student Support Services, where her mentors encouraged her decision to apply for the Study Away China internship in 2014.
“The most crowded place I’d ever been was Black Friday at Walmart. I’d never gotten the chance to travel, my family hadn’t been fortunate enough,” Guernsey said.
Fast forward four months later, she was boarding an airplane for the first time with five other strangers. The Missouri State system partners with Liaoning Normal University in Dalian for semester long sessions.
Without hesitation, Guernsey dove into everything Dalian had to offer. She walked miles and boarded buses to explore the city, discovering a local kindergarten to teach pronunciation once a week.
“There’s no way I could get those experiences in West Plains … it seemed like another world,” she said. “Missouri State University-West Plains really gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons.”
The Return
Before she returned she knew the question was not if she would go back but when.
Her grandmother is nothing but supportive of her decision.
“She fell in love with the Chinese people and culture,” Wade said. “Yes, I will miss her, but I will be glad because she’s doing exactly what she wanted.”
By the time she earned her bachelor’s degree in May 2017 from Missouri State, Guernsey already found a teaching position in China. Unfortunately, regulations surrounding working permits and visas for foreigners proved to be challenging.
Although contracts fell through causing her to change cities, Guernsey was consistent in her journey back to China.
She says she will miss Thanksgiving, her little sister and grandma, her two dogs and Snapchat.
“I think it’s really important in life to take every opportunity that you can to better yourself and get yourself closer to where you want to be in life,” Guernsey said. “If you go in open minded and … looking at the experience as how it’s going to change your life, you’re going to have a much better experience.”