Alex Showerman ’10 discovered that when it comes to opportunities, St. Lawrence is borderless. Alex, a Grantham, NH, native and graduate of Thetford Academy, was the first St. Lawrence student to take part in the European Union (EU) Studies Tour, a Canadian internship program that gives students the chance to experience the world’s largest trading bloc and see how the government and politics in such an area operate.  The experience allowed him to spend time abroad, travelling throughout Europe for three weeks this spring while visiting EU institutions, watching the European Court of Justice, meeting with various party members, being an active member of brainstorming sessions and even meeting the Canadian ambassador to the EU.

“It was the perfect way to conclude my junior year,” says Showerman, who is an intern in the St. Lawrence admissions office in summer 2009.  “I began to understand first-hand through interactions with EU officials and by being immersed in the EU government how much the world is globalizing.  It was interesting to see how the national borders have become less irrelevant and how ease of trade and travel has benefited the people and countries.”

Alex’s experience was defined by meeting and interacting with other students and learning about their values and perspectives while reflecting upon the inner workings of the United States’ political system.  “With my academic focus centering around American politics, it was great hearing the perspectives of students from Canada and other parts of the world,” says the government major and economics minor.

 “I received support from my professors, especially Alan Draper in government, who got me involved,” says Alex. “St. Lawrence also helped support my trip financially. That’s one of the great things about this place – if you can dream up something, the University will do anything they can do to help make it a reality.”