Bringing Your Studies to Life: Study Abroad Interns Speak Out

By Lynn Gaylord, Associate Dean, Center for Global Education

“While the very act of study abroad can be a life-changing experiential learning, the systematic reflection that occurs in an internship program enriches and deepens students’ academic and personal training.” - Professor Grace Baron, Department of Psychology; Chair, Educational Policy Subcommittee on Experiential Learning

For anyone who has traveled and lived abroad, Professor Grace Baron’s words ring true: the most memorable study abroad learning takes place through daily life and being engaged in another’s culture, language and all that these embrace. When study abroad, (a structured, credit-bearing, university or school-based program) includes an informed and guided experiential component, students can be transported to broader and more powerful explorations than ever imagined. Their understanding of the concepts, theories and events taught in academic halls, take on deeper meaning when presented in professional work environments, with real problems and people. Recent participants in semester and summer internship programs, sponsored by the Center for Global Education, offer you insight into what the experiences have meant for students and how these experiences have served as bridges to further study and new directions back at Wheaton, and for developing plans beyond graduation.

In the early 1990’s, through the initiative of Wheaton faculty in International Relations and Political Science, among these Professor Darlene Boroviak, Wheaton sought out its first major affiliation with Boston University’s International Internship Program in Dublin, London, Paris and Sydney. This partnership allows students to combine traditional studies with internship placements in Journalism, Politics, Law, International Relations, Economics and Business, Psychology and Social Policy, and Arts Administration, including Theater and the Performing Arts.

In order to receive academic credit for an internship, experiential learning must be linked to an academic seminar, and involve written work, which is evaluated and graded by a BU faculty member.

As the Center for Global Education has expanded its offerings, more programs now include internship opportunities. Among these, and most notable for a European university, the University of Edinburgh offers a Parliamentary Internship Programme in the Scottish seat of government.

Professor of Psychology Grace Baron, conducts Visit to Internship Sites in Dublin and London

Professor Grace Baron (center) visits psychology major Olivia Mcmaster (left)

“ I especially enjoyed meeting with Stephen Clift, our Psych majors seminar instructor. Over tea and collegial hospitality, we compared our syllabi and our hopes for student learning in our parallel human/health services seminar. Knowing the teacher (as well as the content, process and expectations) of my students’ London seminar makes me more confident and thrilled to see them go off on their study abroad… thus connecting the Wheaton and BU/London curriculum are connected in a very integral way.”

Diane Wathen ’09. Sociology. Editorial Intern, Readers Digest, London:

Following a semester in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen, Diane engaged in a Journalism Internship in London.

 

“My everyday activities at Reader’s Digest were quite diverse. I did everything from writing research reports, to fact checking, contacting celebrities’ agents for fact confirmation and even wrote some articles.  I was asked to localize and revise U.S. edition articles to better suit a U.K. readership. I also collaborated with the editors in planning future issues and the editorial positioning of articles and features. Aside from learning lots about the journalistic and publishing process, I gained valuable experience doing investigative research and interviews. Perhaps more importantly, I realized what I may want to do when graduating from Wheaton. I loved being in such a fast paced, goal and deadline oriented environment and having such concrete evidence of my work in the form of a magazine and being involved in such an international and diverse work place. While in London, I applied and was hired for a summer position as a Web-journalist Photojournalist for Exploration, a summer educational program for middle school and high school students. My experience at Reader’s digest was essential in the application process, and my experience set me apart. It was not only a journalism internship but a journalism internship in a foreign country for a world renowned publication. Since returning from my year abroad I’ve remained connected to my experiences abroad as a peer adviser for the Center For Global Education. I also explored the connection between Lutheranism, Design and the Welfare State in Scandinavia in an independent study with Professor John Grady.”

Jonathan Schwartz ’10. Political Science. Parliamentary Intern to Roseanna Cunningham, Minister of the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, Scotland

“Being able to work abroad for a foreign government is an experience that I will never forget: to learn first-hand how a young parliamentary system is growing in a country that is not my own. I was assigned to Member of Scottish Parliament Roseanna Cunningham, the current head chair for the Rural Affairs & Environment committee and a member of the Scottish National Party. During the day-to-day operations, I was briefing and researching for debates and speeches that were being delivered in the Parliamentary Chambers, which were attended by all 129 members of the Parliament, including First Minister Alex Salmond. My main focus was heading the preliminary research process for a five day “Long Distance Route” in Scotland called “The Pilgrim Way,” which is set to unveil around 2012. This route invites tourists to learn about the history of Scotland, while they are able to view some of the breathtaking sites Scotland has to offer. Seeing how an entirely different culture plays into political action and thought was a learning experience, in that people have ideals of their own based on cultural upbringing.”

Chad Mirmelli ’09. Biology/Pre-Med. Clinic21, Surrey, England; Clinic21 is a sports therapy center and private medical practice, near Wimbledon.

“As an observer, I was learning diagnosis, treatment and medical techniques. I had the opportunity to help diagnose patients, work on treatments and practice/review exercise strategies with patients. The experience helped me realize that this was one area of medicine I was not interested in pursuing. However, it did motivate me to take Intro to Physiology with Professor Tong, as well as Biochemistry and Angiogenesis. While my original career goals have changed, my internship directed me that much more towards going to medical school.”

Meaghan Jordan ’11. The Alliance for Global Education, Beijing, China. The Beijing Olympics. Summer, 2008.

While initially planning to participate in an internship at the Summer Olympics, politics interceded providing a different and unexpected lesson in life: 

 

Meaghan Jordan at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in the Bird's Nest stadium

 “Originally we were supposed to volunteer at the Games, but the company using us withdrew the offer due to the political unrest associated with Tibet. So, instead I spent my summer learning Mandarin and taking a Sociology class about the Olympics, its history and organization. While I was there I was able to attend Olympic events in swimming, beach volleyball, track and field and women’s soccer. Even without the internship position, I still learned a ton about Chinese culture and how such a large global event can impact one country. One of the topics I an interest in was the marketing plan and sponsorship for the sports apparel of the Games, specifically focusing on Adidas, Nike and Li-Ning. The topic became my capstone project for the Sociology course; a theme which also came up in my Sports Age in Globalization class this semester. The knowledge I gained in China about their athletic systems in relation to American sports has transferred over to the topic of globalization in the realm of sports.”  

Jessica Meisner ’09, Psychology. Teachers Assistant Evelina Children’s Hospital School. London 

“Being an intern in the Dialysis Ward was helpful for me since I’ve been considering teaching for some time.  I was able to work with children ages 3-17 in subjects ranging from math and science to art.  My prior teaching experience had come from informal, experiential settings, and in the outdoors. While this still is not your typical classroom, it was a good transition into a classroom-like environment.  Being able to work with a variety of age groups was important, in that it helped me narrow down what age group I really would like to work with. Working with youth with extreme illnesses was a new experience for me. I’d say the most beneficial part of the internship was being able to brighten the days of children who must receive three- or four-hour long dialysis treatment daily.  During my time at Evelina, two children also received kidney transfers. While neither body fully accepted its new kidney by the time I had left, it was amazing to see how a six and eight year old could be so strong.”

Professor of Political Science Darlene Boroviak, Advisor for International Relations Majors.

Professor Boroviak was instrumental in establishing one of the first connections which allowed Wheaton students to engage in overseas internships, for which academic credit would be awarded.

“The kind of internships that are offered are great learning experiences for our students, since the placements are so good and so well supervised, with seminars that go along with them. I think that students learn more about another culture (and yes, London is another culture, as is Paris) having to work within it, negotiating the workplace with British or French professionals, observing how hierarchies of authority and power might work differently there, and testing their own knowledge, expertise and ability to think through situations that they have never confronted before. The translations of classroom learning into lived experiences in the workplace can provide a jolt that opens the mind to what differences and similarities actually mean in the ‘real world’.”

Michelle Riccio ’09. Theater Intern, Nasty Sweets Theater. Finsbury Park, London.

Though struggling at first to find an internship placement to fit her growing fascination with the dramaturgy/writing/playwriting/literary side of theatre, Michelle’s persistence landed her an opportunity at a small London theater. She was able to gain experience serving as an assistant dramaturge and assistant director, mastering the show’s lighting system. With this now added to her repertoire of talents (and a few good contacts), she secured a summer volunteer position at the acclaimed, world-renowned Edinburgh Festival, working in various theater venues.

Michelle Riccio and crew at the Edinburgh Festival's Jokerdome

“Working for the Fringe has been a dream come true. The city is flooded with performers, artists, directors, stage mangers, crew, electricians… I lived, breathed and slept theatre. For those 30-40 days, the population of Edinburgh doubles as people come from all around the world to participate and watch performances. There is a pervasive feeling of joy and celebration; we are all here to experience this thing we love so much. I was based at the Pleasance Theater in Edinburgh, which was comprised of 21 venues, offering 200 shows a day. I worked as Crew for a small sixty seat venue called the Joker Dome. My work day went from noon to midnight: I ran the lights for eight shows a day!"

“My work back at Wheaton has included the production, HONEY, a play that I wrote; it had its debut stage reading (in March)in the EX. HONEY a very lyrical, poetic, raw, uncensored play explores the lives and memories of two people whose lives have been intertwined beyond separation. Earlier, MILK was a ten minute play that I wrote which was performed in the Ten Minute Play Festival last semester. This play helped me write HONEY.”