Article submitted by ACES Education Abroad

In recognition of the recent Illinois International Achievement Awards, ACES Study Abroad is honored to highlight Sadie Marks, recipient of the Undergraduate Achievement Award. This award recognizes one University of Illinois undergraduate student “for their significant service and contribution resulting from their participation in an international study abroad course, program, or project.”

Sadie is a senior in Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Public Policy and Law. This award was presented to Sadie in recognition of her time and achievements in Nairobi, Kenya, where she spent the spring 2019 semester. Sadie’s time in Kenya, where she was able to complete an internship at the Institute for Law and Environmental Governance, allowed her to study and learn more about language, culture, and international development. This experience provided exposure to international culture and organization, with the opportunity to engage in the daily lives of citizens and communities to write reports on the effects of climate change and the oil industry. Prior to this, Sadie had previously worked in the AgReach office with Paul McNamara, where she wrote an assessment findings report to better understand survey research from the World Vision Office in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Sadie developed a passion for international service and experiencing culture, not just from her time in Kenya, but through a number of unique opportunities prior to Kenya. Sadie previously studied abroad in the Dominican Republic through a winter 2016-2017 faculty-led program, and in Ireland over the summer of 2017. In Ireland, Sadie spent three months living and working in Bray as an intern at the Killruddery House and Garden. Sadie had the opportunity to help revise their business plan and strategize on livestock expansion. Sadie described this as a cultural experience, in many aspects – life, work, and travel. The experience in Ireland was a gateway that allowed her to expand her perspectives and ultimately take on a full semester in Kenya and build off this experience as a way of understanding how international business, culture, and opportunity can all intersect.

The Illinois International Achievement Awards are a reminder of the incredible work students are doing that have an impact at the global level and the impact that can be made by one person around the world. These opportunities have pointed Sadie towards a career and have proven to her the value and meaning behind sustainable international development.

Sadie’s involvement and engagement is not exclusive to her time abroad. On campus, Sadie has served on the Illinois Student Government as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President, and she has held the position of Chair of Internal Affairs. Along with these leadership positions, she has current positions in 4-H Cooperative Sorority, MSFE Graduation Program Office, Order of Omega Greek Leadership Honors Society, and is an Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) Ambassador. For all students, experiences abroad are a way to learn more about academics and careers. Sadie’s experiences in three distinct international programs also exemplifies the vast opportunities students have to engage abroad in different forms.