Seeing the world has always been a dream for Margaret Davenport.
"Ever since I was little, I've enjoyed reading atlases," said Davenport, a sophomore geography and journalism double major. "I truly enjoyed sitting down and looking at maps for hours on end, and then studying about the climate, culture and landscape of these different areas."
That excitement for exploration led Davenport to the geography program in the School of Natural Resources.
"You could say that this early love of exploring the world is what motivated me to select geography," she said.
And since Davenport displayed an interest in writing from a young age, studying journalism seemed like a natural fit.
"I would always write little stories and make my family sit down and listen to me read them," she said.
Davenport described the decision to combine her two passions as "the ultimate dream" – and it's taken her halfway across the world as an intern at Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an, China, where she studies Mandarin and tutors other students in English.
"My Chinese friends have helped me learn Mandarin," she said. "Now I can speak what I like to call 'survival Mandarin,' meaning that I can order food, ask for directions and hold a basic conversation."
In addition to picking up new language skills, Davenport's internship has been enlightening in other ways.
"I have met many other international students and have learned more about their cultures, languages and traditions through their eyes," she said. "For example, a good friend is from Iran. She has opened my eyes to her life in Iran and how it's not the terrifying country that our news back in the States may make it out to be."
As a tutor, Davenport helps students practice their oral and written English. Some may come in with applications to graduate schools in the United States, asking her to edit their personal statements.
"I have been helping one student in particular with his graduate program applications to Oxford, Cambridge, Cornell, Stanford and Columbia," she said. "I know that if he gets into any of these schools I will most likely burst with pride. I am very excited to see what he will do with his life."
Davenport said the SNR community has been incredibly supportive of her time in China.
"When I first told a classmate that I was considering applying for my internship in China, she insisted that I do it, and she was one of my main motivators for applying," she said. "Everyone I have met motivates each other to pursue whatever it is that person is interested in researching or studying. And I mean everyone – professors, advisers and fellow students."
Geography lecturer Becky Buller said that as a double major, Davenport is an "excellent example" of how individuals with various interests can develop professionally while pursuing their passions.
"Geography is a spatial discipline that can examine and better understand any topic," Buller said. "Because of this diversity, geographers are often only tied together by their curiosity, adventurous spirit and love of travel. Indeed Margaret is a geographer – a manifestation of these characteristics."
Upon returning to Lincoln at the end of December, Davenport will hit the ground running – literally.
"I hope to begin training for the half-marathon," she said. "It will be my fifth."
In addition to logging miles, Davenport plans to keep working toward accomplishing her academic and professional goals.
"After graduation, I would love to join the Peace Corps or an organization that is fighting environmental degradation," she said. "The end goal would be to work for National Geographic."
As her time in China comes to a close, Davenport said she encourages all students to go abroad if given the chance.
"If one has the opportunity to work or study abroad, they should definitely take it," she said. "It truly is the most wonderful experience, and you will learn so much about yourself and the world."
To read about Davenport’s culinary adventures in China and beyond, visit her blog: http://eatourworld.com.
— Mekita Rivas, Natural Resources