Meaghan (Wilson) Pawelczyk ‘20 | Spanish and Sociology major
I am inspired by the power of language and its ability to bring people together.
After studying abroad in South America during her junior year at Saint Anselm College, Meaghan (Wilson) Pawelczyk ‘20 knew she would return to South America, specifically Peru. Now back in the United States, Pawelczyk is using her Saint Anselm education to impact students of her own as a guidance counselor in a Virginia public school.
Pawelczyk got her first glimpse of Peruvian culture while studying abroad in South America during her junior year of college. As a Spanish major at Saint Anselm College, she was drawn to the country for its language, and was captivated by the beautiful landscapes, rich history, and delicious food. As she boarded her plane back to the United States, Pawelczyk knew her next trip to South America would be to Peru.
In March 2022, Pawelczyk received the opportunity to visit Peru for a nine-month stay through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The program awards grants to recent graduates and graduate students for research, study, and teaching programs in over 140 countries around the world.
Pawelczyk taught as an English teaching assistant (ETA) in Peru and worked alongside university students who hoped to become English teachers. She met with groups of students to discuss cross-cultural topics in English, aided in their understanding of the language, and enhanced her knowledge of Peruvian culture.
“I have a passion for education, specifically English education. I am inspired by the power of language and its ability to bring people together,” says Pawelczyk. “I knew I wanted to be an ETA so that I could continue the impact of English education abroad like I had previously done domestically.”
Pawelczyk draws inspiration for this dream from some of her time at the College. As a freshman, she served with English for New Americans, an organization that teaches English to immigrants and refugees in the United States. Pawelczyk also was on the women’s cross-country team at Saint Anselm and longed to connect that aspect of her life to her future endeavors in Peru by starting a running club there.
Pawelczyk has worked for AmeriCorps, was a graduation mentor for Lowell Public Schools, and conducted graduate research while earning a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She currently works in Fairfax County Public Schools as a high school counselor.
Adapted from “Traveling Teacher: Meaghan Wilson” by Samantha Jette ‘20 from the Fall/Winter 2022 edition of Portraits.