November 18, 2020 | Stephanie Van Wyk

Waxahachie, TX

Year: Senior

Major : English

Q: What led you to SAGU?

I knew I wanted to go to an AG college. I think the thing about SAGU that appealed to me was the atmosphere of it. I liked the Biblical emphasis. I liked that I could get an English degree and still have a lot of Bible training. It wasn’t just something that was cast off to the side.

Q: Why did you decide to pursue an English degree?

Of all the degrees I could have picked, English felt like the one that catered to all of my favorite interests. I have always loved writing. For as long as I can remember, ever since I was a little kid, I have always loved it. I have all of these notebooks full of stories I loved to start when I was a kid, but I didn’t have enough determination to finish. I’ve also always loved reading, grammar, and writing, so I think English felt like the natural choice for me.

Q: What has your experience been like in the English department?

I have loved all of my classes, and I’ve loved all of my professors. I’ve learned a lot, not just about literature but about life in general. So, it’s been a very great experience. It’s built me a lot as a person. I’ve learned a lot intellectually, and certain classes have challenged me a lot. It’s honed in my intellectual focus.

Q: What has been the most influential part of your degree/time at SAGU?

I could say a lot of different things. On the one hand, the classes that I’ve taken, especially the literature and language classes, have been influential because they’ve helped me see what kinds of jobs I want to get. The internship I did with Africa’s Hope in Springfield, Missouri really helped that as well.

“Ultimately, I think the most influential part about my degree and about my time at SAGU has been the life experiences and the advice that I get from my professors and mentors. When I go through hard times, being able to relate what I’m going through to something that I’m reading has helped me get through the experience. At the same time, being able to talk to the professors, knowing that they love me and care about me has really helped me in a lot of tough situations. Both the English profs and the Bible profs have given me a lot of good advice and a lot of encouragement in some hard times.”

Q: How do you think your English degree will impact your future career?

I think a degree in English, in the short term, will open up a lot of doors for me to get jobs that both pay well and that I enjoy personally. In the long term, I’m planning on being a missionary and I really believe that my degree in English will help prepare me. It will give me credit amongst the people that I’m going to be ministering to. They’ll see that I have a respected degree. It will also help prepare me to know how people think, how people see the world, and what affects people’s way of thinking in ways we don’t realize. The way literature and stories affect the way people think will help me be a better missionary because I’ll be able to understand why people do the things they do and where they’re at mentally because I understand English and I understand literature. That’s what I’m believing.

Q: What would you say has been the best part of your SAGU experience?

The classes I’ve taken have helped me see where I want to go in life, what my passions are academically, and what direction I’m going towards after college. And then the best part is probably the professors.

Q: What will you miss most about SAGU?

The professors. I’ve loved all of the professors, and I’m sad that I will not be able to take some of these professors again because I’m graduating. There are professors that I’m thinking of where I’m like, “Wow, I’m so sad I’ll never get to have this professor again.”

Nathan is receiving the education and mentorship that he needs to prepare him for his calling to missions. At SAGU, we believe that God has a specific calling for each and every one of us. Through our learning community, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and real-world experience to foster your God-given talents and step into your calling, just like Nathan! Click here to apply today!

As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community.

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