Rebekah Dyar is graduating from 91Âţ»­app without ever taking on-campus classes. On Dec. 14, she will receive a bachelor’s degree in world languages focusing on French, after just two years of online classes. In high school, Dyar earned college credits through the International Baccalaureate program, setting the stage for her unconventional yet successful college career.

“My sister went to Georgia Southern, and she loved the school, so I decided to follow in her footsteps,” the Douglasville, Georgia, resident said. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dyar opted for online classes. 

“With COVID still going on, I wasn’t ready to move four hours away,” Dyar explained. “However, as I delved into my coursework, I found I really liked online classes and they suited me well. Ultimately, I decided to continue online and save money.”

The college credits she earned in high school allowed her to enroll in college as a sophomore. Dyar, who is graduating this December with a 4.0 GPA, missed being around other students but feels she had more freedom with distance learning. Still, balancing work and school proved challenging, especially with the demands of online learning and tight deadlines. She also discovered her tendency to procrastinate, but added, “I think if you apply yourself, you can learn just as well, if not better, than in an actual classroom.”

The student is the second youngest among three biological siblings and one foster sibling. She said her mother, a nursing instructor with a doctorate, and her father, who works on the design side of construction, were not helicopter parents.

“They made sure I did everything I needed to do, and they did help me if I needed help, but for the most part, I would do my homework by myself and get it done,” Dyar reflected. “They might look over it, but they weren’t ever pushy about it. They just encouraged me to do the best that I could and just continue studying, continue working.”

The upcoming graduate did not struggle with her online classes but said the virtual classrooms made personal connections with professors more challenging. She expressed gratitude for the support she receivedciting Professors Olga Amarie, Ph.D., and Martha Hughes, Ph.D., as influential figures who made significant impacts on her academic trajectory.

“I enjoyed learning and exploring different subjects,” Dyar said. “I had amazing teachers, especially in the French and comparative literature classes. My education experience has been amazing.”

Amarie has taught at Georgia Southern since 2011, and she is very proud of her former student. “Rebekah excelled in her classes, regardless of the course modality; a commendable approach to college education,” she stated.

Involvement in a study abroad program further enriched Dyar’s academic journey. The monthlong immersion in France, living with a French family, not only improved her language skills but also provided a unique cultural perspective. 

“This experience significantly improved her communication, travel and team-building skills, offering invaluable experiences that enhanced her career prospects,” Amarie noted. “Each morning at the Alliance Française in Bordeaux, Rebekah shared, in French, anecdotes about her previous day, encompassing both in-class and extracurricular activities. Her adventures included visits to the Dune du Pyla, Arcachon, Saint-Emilion, the Tour de France, the game of pétanque and numerous museums in Bordeaux and Paris.”

Dyar said, “The study abroad program changed my life and my goals for the future in the best way possible. I am now more motivated than before. I had never lived away from my parents before, so it was a little weird at first, but I enjoyed it. A study abroad is a terrific opportunity not only to learn the other language, but also to learn the culture, and I made some amazing friends.”

Inspired by the experience, the world language major wants to go back to teach English. For her, it’s a way of giving back.

“I love learning about new languages and cultures, and I want to help others gain the same interest,” she remarked. “I applied for the Teaching Assistant Program in France and will hear back in April 2024. I am ready to explore the professional world and find my career path, but it is scary to not be in school anymore.”

Dyar also is looking forward to traveling and has plans to pursue a master’s degree. As she prepares to receive her diploma, she said graduation represents a “little congratulations for myself and a nice little break.”

She has no regrets about her decision to attend Georgia Southern saying, “I learned a lot about myself and my studies. I would highly recommend Georgia Southern to anyone else.”

Online learners at 91Âţ»­app can earn their degree anywhere in the world, and the middle of the ocean is no exception. Amy Levesque, who graduates this May with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages with a concentration in French, completed most of her degree while at sea working on a cruise ship.

“I would not say that it was the easiest thing I have ever done, which I think makes the accomplishment all the more meaningful,” Levesque said. “I was onboard roughly two to three weeks a month and worked an average of 65 to 70 hours per week while onboard. At that time I was also registered for five full-credit classes at Georgia Southern.”

Levesque decided to pursue a degree in French after putting aside her goal of attending college years ago to raise her children. As an adult learner with a full-time job on a cruise ship, her classes would have to be all online, and she said Georgia Southern offered the most comprehensive online French program she could find.

“The program was not just a study of the language but also of the history, uniqueness and culture of France,” she said. “It is as close to immersion as you can have without living in France. It takes self-discipline, dedication, organization and communication to do any online degree successfully and if it means a lot to you to achieve it, you make the necessary sacrifices to do it.”

Levesque chose French because she enjoyed learning it in high school. She also will be able to use her new skills in her current job in sales in the hospitality and cruise industry where she often services French-speaking guests. However, her new degree has provided her with more career options, and Levesque said she may decide to become a teacher.

While she has never stepped foot on any of Georgia Southern’s three campuses, Levesque said she will remember Georgia Southern for the passion and commitment of her professors.

“I could not be happier with the education I have received here,” she said. “The professors are engaging and passionate about their profession and truly want students to succeed. They always made sure that if I needed anything they were there.”

If Levesque could offer advice to nontraditional students thinking about returning to college to get the degree they’ve always wanted, it would be to let go of any doubts and do it.

“If I can obtain my degree while working on a cruise ship roughly 26 weeks of the year and more than 50 hours a week, in time zones all over the world and often with spotty internet, you can too,” Levesque said. “Do not let your obstacles be your excuses. If it’s important to you, find a way.”