{"id":2057,"date":"2025-04-09T00:01:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T04:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/cedarville-stories\/?p=2057"},"modified":"2025-04-03T12:34:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T16:34:38","slug":"s12-e15-from-curiosity-to-foreign-affairs-payton-arbuthnot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/cedarville-stories\/2025\/s12-e15-from-curiosity-to-foreign-affairs-payton-arbuthnot\/","title":{"rendered":"S:12 E:15 | From Curiosity to Foreign Affairs: Payton Arbuthnot"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Curiosity to a Career in Foreign Affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Payton Arbuthnot\u2019s story began in Springfield, Colorado, where she found herself captivated by the news often as a curious young girl. It wasn\u2019t just the stories \u2014 it was the fact that through the news, she could know what was happening all over the world. She\u2019d sit by the radio, her small fingers tracing the words in her schoolbooks as the voices from the news anchors painted a bigger picture of life beyond her small town.<\/p>\n

What really grabbed her attention, though, was the presence of strong women in politics. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady herself, became a particular hero. Payton admired how Thatcher stood her ground in a man\u2019s world. \u201cIf Margaret can do it,\u201d she thought, \u201cI can do it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when Payton knew she was going to lead with integrity in a world where prominent female voices were still few and far between.<\/p>\n

In high school, Payton\u2019s interest grew into a passion, and by the time she was looking at colleges, Cedarville University in Ohio called her name. The school\u2019s commitment to faith and its strong political science program, with an opportunity for a semester in Washington D.C., seemed like the perfect fit. She packed her bags, said goodbye to her family, and made the long trek eastward, her heart set on the path ahead.<\/p>\n

At Cedarville, Payton thrived. She connected with people and grew closer to God. By the fall of 2023, Payton found herself in D.C., interning at the U.S. Department of State. The work wasn\u2019t glamorous, but she took every opportunity to learn, serving with a heart of excellence.<\/p>\n

Now, with graduation approaching quickly, Payton\u2019s eyes are set on the Rangel Fellowship Program, which could open doors to a life of service in embassies and consulates around the world. But she knows this is just one step in the journey. Payton is confident that God is guiding her, and she\u2019s ready for whatever comes next.<\/p>\n

Hear more of Payton\u2019s journey of growth and faith on this week\u2019s episode of the Cedarville Stories<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n