Can you introduce yourself to us?
My name is Lexi Thayer, and I’m currently a sophomore at Alma College studying secondary education with a focus in English.
What drew you to the Posey Global Fellows Program, and what made you decide to apply?
I was actually drawn to Alma College because of the Posey Global Fellows Program. What appealed to me most was the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. I grew up in Gratiot County and had never really left the area. It’s small, rural, and comfortable—but a lot of people here never get the chance to experience life beyond what we know.
The Posey program offered exactly that opportunity: a chance to do something completely different. I also love that Alma provides these global experiences to students at no cost. It’s a leap of faith, but it’s really based on a student’s willingness to get out there, get their hands dirty, and fully immerse themselves in something new.
Can you describe the experience you had during your fellowship and what your day-to-day looked like?
I completed my fellowship in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which is a major cultural hub in the country. It’s much smaller than the capital, Phnom Penh — closer in size to a place like Grand Rapids, but quieter and more community-oriented. Transportation there is mostly tuk tuks, so I traveled to my placement that way every day.
I taught English at a free public school that served English learners of all ages. My day typically started around 7 a.m. and could go as late as 7 p.m. The classes were structured by English proficiency rather than age, so a “kindergarten-level” class could include students anywhere from 7 to 60 years old. Many students attended classes before or after work, and the school was designed to be flexible in order to meet their needs.
How did this experience challenge you, and how did you grow from those challenges?
The experience really showed me that students—and people in general — are capable of far more than they think. If you had told me in high school that I would someday travel alone to Cambodia to teach English for a month, I would have said there was no way I could do that.
But after even a short time at Alma College, I felt prepared. I learned that I can do hard things—things that feel scary, unfamiliar, or completely outside my comfort zone. I realized that with the support of the people I’ve met and the education I’ve received, I can go anywhere and take on challenges I never imagined for myself.
How has the fellowship continued to shape you now that you’re back on campus?
Being back on campus and in Gratiot County, I can see how much the fellowship has shaped my thinking—especially as a future teacher. Before this experience, I was nervous about confronting challenges like poverty, which all educators will eventually face. Now, I feel better equipped to approach those challenges with creativity and empathy.
In Cambodia, for example, I sometimes had to teach students basic skills like how to brush their teeth—and then figure out how to make that engaging and fun. Experiences like that helped me understand that teaching often means addressing needs you didn’t expect.
I’ve also become more comfortable sharing both the positive and difficult parts of my experience with others. I love encouraging fellow students who are curious about going abroad or gaining hands-on experience. I want them to know that they can do it — that they already have the resources, tools, and opportunities available to them. If you have the passion to explore, learn, and grow, the Posey Global Fellows Program makes it possible.