For this Student Spotlight, The Navigator News had the opportunity to speak with Ambrie Zanton, a freshman at Lake Land College (LLC) and aspiring English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.  

While studying abroad in Thailand, Ambrie discovered not only her passion for helping others, but also for learning from them in return. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher because of my parents, and then I was a transfer student,” she explained. “I really liked helping my friends with their English homework and classes, so I thought I could possibly do that for a career.” 

Ambrie’s time abroad also helped her step outside of her comfort zone and grow into her own person. In high school, she spent most of her time working and going straight home. However, her experience in Thailand pushed her to try new things and connect with others in ways she could not before. “Going that far outside my comfort zone really helped me,” she explained.  

“Something that Rotary taught us,” she added, referring to the organization she completed her exchange through, “is, as long as it’s safe and smart, to try and say yes to pretty much everything.” This mindset encouraged her to embrace new opportunities, ultimately allowing her to form meaningful friendships and gain a broader perspective, something she feels she may not have experienced in her small hometown in Illinois. 

Now back home, Ambrie continues to use the skills she gained abroad to build a strong sense of community. The “highlight of her week,” she says, is catching up with friends every Thursday at the Jackson Avenue Coffee Shop in Charleston. From there, they spend their time exploring the town together, whether that means grabbing frozen yogurt, going bowling or simply enjoying whatever the moment brings.