Sophomore Summer Gibson, who won the free semester abroad from the Campus Activities Board (CAB) at the Burksys, said she will be going to the HUG program in the summer of 2014.
Gibson said choosing a program and a time was difficult, as many of her friends wanted her to pick one program over another. Gibson said her top choices were HUA and HUG.
“I am extremely nervous, but also very excited,” Gibson said.
Gibson said she was very shocked and has used prayer to stay grounded.
Earlier in the semester CAB announced it would give away a free semester abroad to one student who had not been abroad and who purchased the CAB Pass. CAB said it would draw a name and announce the winner of the semester abroad at the Burksys.
Winning the semester abroad did not cross her mind that evening until Logan Light, director of CAB, presented a check with Gibson’s name on it, she said.
“I thought it was a joke,” Gibson said. “I was in complete shock. I had no idea and I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t even think I was capable of winning it so I wasn’t expecting it. It wasn’t even in my brain to think about winning it. It was very unreal.”
Gibson said her luck did not sink in until she went backstage.
“Once I went backstage and really saw the check in person I had a moment where I thought, ‘Wow, this really is a ton of money,”‘ Gibson said. “I updated my Facebook status that night just about how God surprises us in so many ways.”
Gibson said this does not just affect her college life, but could affect her future and the people she will be surrounded by.
“This changes my next two years,” Gibson said. “It affects where I go and the people I experience it with. I get to be a part of their lives and their spiritual walk. Wherever I go and the things I learn and how I grow from this experience.”
