Smyrna Resident Emmanuel Brantley to Study Abroad in Ecuador

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Oglethorpe University junior Emmanuel Brantley

ATLANTA, GA (06/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Smyrna resident Emmanuel Brantley, a junior at Oglethorpe University, will study abroad during summer 2013 in Ecuador as part of the university's partnership program with the nonprofit Global LEAD. Brantley was awarded a scholarship by the Hinkle Family Charitable Fund to participate in the program.

Brantley is a 2011 graduate of Chamblee High School and is studying business and Spanish at Oglethorpe University.  Brantley has been an active member of the campus community, serving as a Senator in the Student Government Association (SGA) and as a resident assistant. He is a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and works in the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art. In the fall, he will serve as treasurer for SGA and as president of Oglethorpe's International Student Mentorship Program.

Oglethorpe University and Global LEAD partnered in 2012 to deliver leadership and service-learning curriculum abroad. During summer 2013, more than 130 students from 30 universities will travel on Global LEAD experiences to Ecuador, Greece and Cape Town, South Africa. These international experiences combine the benefits of studying abroad, international service trips and backpacking adventures into a holistic experience that truly changes their lives. With a unique focus on personal development, students are challenged to define their values and personal vision, to give back to the community in meaningful service projects and to experiences outdoor adventures like mountain biking, hiking and whitewater rafting.

LEAD Ecuador takes place from June 30-July 27, 2013. Students will spend the first two weeks in the capital Quito, exploring the city, starting the leadership curriculum and creating after-school programs at a local Montessori School. Then the program goes "on the road" to Banos, the adventure hub of Ecuador, and then to the Amazon, where students will learn from indigenous communities and about their unique way of life. Finally, the program finishes in the highlands of Otavalo, home to the largest handicraft market in South America. Each location allows students the chance to engage with the local culture, continue learning and growing and truly understand their role in a larger, global context.

Founded in 1835, Oglethorpe University is a leading liberal arts and sciences university which enrolls 1,100 students representing 34 states and 28 countries. Oglethorpe has been named among U.S. News & World Report's Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Forbes' America's Best Colleges, and Princeton Review's Best Southeastern College in its 2012 edition of The Best 376 Colleges. Oglethorpe is a member of the Annapolis Group, an organization of America's most selective liberal arts institutions. For seven consecutive years, Oglethorpe has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for commitment to and achievement in community service. Oglethorpe is home to the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art and to Georgia Shakespeare, the professional theater-in-residence. OU competes in the NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association. Website: www.oglethorpe.edu.