WesGrant Experiences:

Intern, WBUR Radio Boston

2011-10-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Maddie Neufeld ‘12

Major: American Studies

Organization: Radio Boston, WBUR

Location: Boston, MA

For the past two months I have been interning at WBUR’s Radio Boston, a daily radio show that deals with news, stories, music and more as it relates to Boston and the region. As an intern I am basically helping to get the show on the air by performing research, booking guests, going out and “getting sound,” gathering archival sound, editing audio, pitching story ideas, and writing scripts. The environment of a daily news show is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Every day a show must air live from 3-4 pm no matter what. But this also means that each day brings new topics and new tasks. For example, the other day I co-produced a segment on backyard chickens in Boston and had to teach myself all about this emerging trend in poultry keeping. I doubt that I would otherwise have had the chance or the time to educate myself on such an eccentric, yet fascinating topic. Working at NPR’s Boston Station has taught me to always be on my toes, ready and flexible for what the day’s news might bring. It has also helped me understand how to tell stories through the news. How to use sound to convey an experience, person or scene. How to frame an issue or story so that it takes root and gets people talking. And, how to write short sentences.

About the photo: This is the Radio Boston whiteboard where producers and hosts schedule the week’s segments. Thursday the 16^th looks particularly full—not all those segments were lucky enough to make it to air. Though the board doesn’t reflect it, Wednesday the 15^th was a breaking news day! Almost all of the segments were cut or postponed.

Preservation Intern, Library of Congress

2011-10-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Alexandra Lamb’13

Major: English, Anthropology

Organization: Library of Congress, Collections Care Section

This summer I volunteered in the Collections Care Section of the Library of Congress, treating books from the Library’s general collection — essentially, all the non-rare books in the Library that were printed after about 1800. Huge numbers of books go through CCS, so in addition to learning their various techniques for repairing damaged spines, recasing books in their original covers, and creating entirely new cases for books, I also learned ways to increase my efficiency while still being as thorough as possible. While getting used to commuting and working 9-to-5 took a while, I loved working at the Library; they have a large, well-stocked lab, and it’s incredibly satisfying to take a book that’s falling apart and put it back together again.

Independent Project, Perm Culture, Agro Forestry and Sustainability

2011-10-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

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Grant Recipient: Class of 2013

Major: Biology, Science in Society

Experience: Independent Project, Perm culture, Agro forestry and Sustainability

Location: India

Sarang Hills is the home of the founders of the Sarang School. It is located near a small town Gorlikadau, in the southern state Kerala. Father and Mother (as they are known to the students) began in 1983 to restore the forest on the hill and thus repair the ecological damage that has been brought about due to erosion, forest fire, and lack of proper education concerning the ecosystem. By strategically planting bamboo plants within the area the forest has returned and with it the wild life. This was extremely important because within Kerala there are 27 rivers, and each river becomes little more than a trickle during the dry season. Thus, the work here has managed to maintain the local river during the dry season by restoring the forest, and thus replenishing the ground water. I am currently learning more about the ecology of the region, the local history and response to these changes, and the political consequences of this nature. I am currently helping construct a house, working in the gardens, and documenting the wild flora and fauna. Because this is a school, there are students that both board and commute to the school. I've been learning more about the philosophy behind the teaching here at Sarang, and have begun to formulate a better understanding of what education means to me personally. I feel that the life style and message that the school represents is one of incredible value for those who are willing to explore it.

Intern, Bitone Children's Center

2011-10-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: AhDream Smith ‘12

Major: American Studies

Organization: Bitone Children’s Center

Location: Uganda

My summer experience has been working with the dance troupe of the Bitone Children center to educate members of the community on preventative methods against malaria through music, drama, and dance. Although the government sends workers to come to the various communities, the support and consistency is not enough. With malaria being one of the top killers in Uganda, the most effective and direct method is preventative care. This experience thus far, has been such an eye-opening experience in relation to government setup, policies, health care systems and so much more.

Intern, Boardwalk Empire, HBO

2011-10-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Daniel Obzejta ‘12

Major: Film Studies

Organization: Boardwalk Empire, HBO

Location: New York, NY

As an intern on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, I have had the
unique opportunity to work with the different departments at each
stage of production so as to gain a better understanding of how a
successful television show is run smoothly and efficiently. Every few days I cycled through a new department to shadow someone who explained to me not only their specific job, but also the general aim of their department and how it fits into the larger production pipeline. In all of these cases, the people who I worked with treated this as a learning opportunity for me and served as teachers/advisers rather than a chance to assign me menial tasks. In the production office, I was able to help the show run behind the scenes and see how call sheets are made up for each day of shooting, how actors timesheets are filed and registered, and how script changes are made and distributed.
I went on location scouts with the department heads, sat in on
director’s meetings, watched dailies, and read script drafts. In the post-production office I spent time with editors, sound editors, and special effects supervisors, learning their system for editing, mixing sound, and preparing the visual effects needed for each episode. After I cycled through most of the show’s departments, I began work as an additional production assistant on set, working intimately with the cast and the crew to help the show run as smoothly and efficiently as I can. Although I have a few more weeks left in my internship, this
has without a doubt been the most rewarding, illuminating, and helpful experience of my budding professional career, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity this grant has given me.

Inter, Sex Offenders Unit, Philadelphia County Adult Probation and Parole Department

2011-10-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Jenna Bluestein ‘13

Major: Psychology

Organization: Adult Probation and Parole Department, Sex Offenders Unit

Location: Philadelphia, PA

My eight weeks of working full time for the Probation Department were grueling, frustrating, and incredibly rewarding. I was asked to intern for a Probation Officer whose caseload is very special; Officer Palmer, my supervisor, oversees an all female caseload of sex offenders and prostitutes. She has recently become one of the main players involved in the Project Dawn Court, which is a special treatment court unique to Philadelphia geared toward helping women with multiple prostitution and drug charges. Project Dawn Court provides these women with alternatives to incarceration, specifically inpatient drug treatment programs and mandated Healthy Lifestyles Therapy. In fact, all of the Probationers are stipulated to drug treatment and sexual offender treatment programs. As a psychology major, and specifically as someone with an interest in Sex Offender Rehabilitation, I was eager to be involved in different aspects of the womens’ treatment. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing Supervisor who allowed me to not only be her intern, but her partner. I was able to interview every client when they reported for their scheduled office visits, and I went to every court case. I was even able to attend Treatment Team Meetings with the Sexual Offender Therapist, and in just those two discussions I was able to learn so much about offender treatment methods. Also, my firsthand experiences in Court have sparked my interest in law and updated my knowledge of legal lingo. Most importantly, I had the pleasure of watching many of these women succeed, from completing treatment to finding employment to acquiring housing. For many of the Probationers, this is the first time they have ever lived what we would consider to be a “normal” life. Unfortunately, I also learned of the overwhelming power of addiction and witnessed some of the women veer off course. Even though I do not want to be a Probation Officer, my internship still allowed me to explore Psychology and the Law and ensure that I would like to one day pursue a career in this field. My Summer Experience was more interesting than I could have imagined, and I will certainly never forget the women and their unbelievable life stories.

Editorial Intern, New York Daily News

2011-10-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Laignee Barron ‘13

Major: English, Middle Eastern Studies Certificate

Organization: New York Daily News

Location: New York, NY

As an intern at the New York Daily News I have the incredible opportunity to work in a busy metro news room. I write for the uptown section of the paper, which focuses on local news in Harlem, East Harlem, Morningside Heights, Inwood, and Washington Heights. This internship has been amazing for allowing me to have the hands-on experience of reporting for a large daily print news outlet.

My first day on the job threw me directly into in-the-field reporting as I was assigned to cover reactions to the Anthony Weiner scandal. From there I have worked on an investigative story looking at the failure of New York Public Housing Authority to respond to work orders in city projects, the unemployed finding a renewed interest in bingo for potential monetary gains, and a story on how the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill will affect the lives of uptown residents. I am also responsible for a weekly series called “best” where I write up the 10 best of something uptown like ethnic bakeries, tattoo parlors, picnic spots, etc.

Working with the news has really stretched me to consider my audience, which affects what articles I pitch to the editor, how I unfold the story, and what tone I write in. Working uptown has also been fantastic at pushing my comfort zone, forcing me to overcome at times a language barrier and in other cases a cultural difference, all in a neighborhood I was previously unfamiliar with.

Intern, Peggy Guggenheim Collection

2011-10-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Class of 2012

Major: Studio Art

Organization: Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Location: Venice, Italy

So far, I've been in Venice for four weeks, and I love it. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection internship provides a rotation of tasks experience all revolving around visitor-interaction, that,
collectively, are varied enough to prevent any single responsibility from becoming too mundane. Even sitting behind a desk and greeting visitors is an interesting because Venice is a tourist city and, thus, a multilingual city. Never before have I been thusly confronted with the problem of language--it's been a great opportunity to practice my conversational Italian. Furthermore, working with other international interns have been a learning experience itself; I get to talk to others about London, Moscow, Paris, Venezuela, Verona, New Zealand, and different regions of Italy. I find the work involving museum education the most rewarding, especially in regards to the two Kids
Days (which occur every Sunday) that I participated in. Two weeks ago we had a group making Futurist-patterned smocks after viewing work Balla, Severini, and Baccioni. Last week the kids made a collaborative De Stijl painting. I'm also taking full advantage of being in Venice by making trips to other parts of Italy. So far I've been to Mantua and Bologna; I plan to get to Verona and Trieste later this week. Overnight trips to Rome and Florence are in the works. Life abroad in this part of the world is absolutely awesome. The photo attached shows me and other interns in a trip to Palazzo Te in Mantua.

Education Intern, Jumpstart, Tufts University

2011-10-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Rhyan Toledo ‘12

Major: Psychology, Religion

Organization: Jumpstart, Tufts University

Location: Boston, MA

I have had such an amazing summer working for Jumpstart. Jumpstart is a national early education organization under Ameri Corps that helps low-income children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be successful in school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Jumpstart's mission is to work toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. They train and support college students to work in preschool classrooms with children from low-income backgrounds on language, literacy, social, and initiative skills over the course of the year and the summer. As a corps member I worked in a preschool classroom of three year olds in South Boston. As a Jumpstart Corps Member I implemented early childhood curriculum, supported family involvement, promoted language and literacy skill through ongoing relationships with the 15 children in my classroom, and collaborated with fellow Corps Members and Site Directors once a week at training. Jumpstart is an amazing program because it is just as much about learning as it is teaching. I received intensive training and professional development, early childhood theory and practice, language and literacy development, leadership skills, and communication with families. It is amazing how much support Jumpstart and Ameri Corps gives to its volunteers. They are truly as concerned with your personal growth as they are with the children you are working with. Paid Corps Member positions in the Boston are reserved for students attending a college in Boston affiliated with Jumpstart. There are opportunities for those attending colleges from other areas to participate as unpaid volunteers, but as a student on financial aid it was not possible for me to commit to a time intensive (40 hours a week, plus planning) position, despite how much I wanted the experience. That is why I am so grateful that the Summer Experience Grant allowed me this amazing opportunity. I have had such a positive experience that I would highly recommend working for Jumpstart to anyone that enjoys children and education. That being said, JUMPSTART IS NOT JUST FOR FUTURE TEACHERS! Really! I have no idea if I want to work in a classroom when I graduate, and a lot of the other people I have met working for Jumpstart are interested in Psychology, Social Work, Community Development, Medicine, or just love working with kids!

I really cannot cram all of the amazing things I have learned and experienced this summer into one paragraph. If you are interested in Jumpstart please contact me!

Editorial Intern, Little, Brown & Company

2011-10-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Grace Ross ‘12

Major: English, American Studies

Organization: Hachette Book Group, Little, Brown & Company

Location: New York, NY

Every day after work I take one of the many books from the high stack of books perched next to my computer. The leaning tower has gradually shrunk and relocated to my bookshelf in Brooklyn, and every evening I count myself honored to be surrounded by such wonderful books. The summer internship program at Hachette Book Group has eased my introduction to the publishing industry. I was overwhelmed by the welcome I received by the company and my supervisors. I have been able to talk to each editor in depth, including the CEO of Hachette! Twice a week, the interns gather in a conference room for a presentation from almost every different department and imprint of the company such as Legal and Contracts, Sales and Marketing, Editorial, Publicity, and Little Brown for Young Readers. I feel as if I am learning about every aspect of the production of a book from a submitted draft to the final hardcover on a bookstore shelf. Reporting to twelve editors and their assistants at Little, Brown & Company, the literary fiction and nonfiction imprint of Hachette Book Group, I spend the majority of my time reading submissions. For every submission, I write a Reader’s Report, which summarizes the plot and presents my opinion on the value of the manuscript. I also mail galleys to agents and authors for reviews, input publication data into databases, format manuscripts for copyediting, and assist with transmittals. In spite of free books as bribery, Little Brown embodies a warm and supportive environment, and I am thoroughly enjoying my experience. I have discovered my passion for working with books and authors.

Intern, Global Autism Project

2011-10-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Samantha Melvin ‘13

Major: Psychology, English

Organization: Global Autism Project

Location: Brooklyn, NY

This summer, I have an internship with the Global Autism Project, a non-profit organization that works in under-resourced communities around the world to raise awareness and provide services to people with autism. As a psychology major interested in child development, I chose this internship in order to gain experience with the social and public health-based sides of child development and psychopathology. In addition to learning about the Global Autism Project's international projects and goals, so far I have primarily been focusing on fundraising for the organization. From networking for donations to researching grant funding, I've learned that this is a crucial element of the non-profit world. In addition to helping with a couple of the Global Autism Project's signature fundraising events, I am currently in the process of leading the organizing committee for a new event this year, Brooklyn Wellness in the Park. Because I am the primary planner and organizer of this event, I have learned an extraordinary amount about event planning and fundraising as a whole. While this isn't exactly the experience I was expecting to gain upon taking this internship, I'm enjoying what I'm doing and am learning numerous new skills that will certainly help me in the future, regardless of whether or not I ultimately enter the non-profit sector.

Intern, Vermont Immigration and Asylum Associates (VIAA)

2011-10-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Helen DeKorne ‘12

Major: History, French

Organization: Vermont Immigration and Asylum Advocates (VIAA)

Location: Burlington, VT

This summer I am interning at Vermont Immigration and Asylum Advocates, an organization that provides free legal services to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. About 350 refugees are resettled in Burlington every year and many more pass through Vermont hoping to make it Canada. I am learning just how complicated the process of applying for asylum can be and how flawed the United States immigration policies are. I am also learning how much difference a very small organization of just two full-time employees can make. Once a week we drive up to the Clinton County Jail in Plattsburg, NY where we meet with and provide legal assistance to individuals picked up by ICE and detained for lacking the correct immigration papers. We run a legal clinic in the evening to help families apply for naturalization and I am helping to organize a conference for service providers who work with survivors of torture. I am also learning how to apply for grants and the incredible amount of work it takes to keep a non-profit running. I love this internship, not only because I am learning so much about the workings of immigration law, but mainly because of the amazingly strong people I am getting to meet every day. Thank you so much CRC for this opportunity!

College Representative Intern, The Source

2011-10-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Tanesha Jackson ‘13

Major: African American Studies, Sociology

Organization: The Source (hip hop magazine)

Location: New York, NY

This summer, I am working at Source Magazine in New York City. At work I am a part of a team of 8 interns that create and write proposals for upcoming events. I receive entry into top events in New York City and I get to meet some of the biggest stars in the hip hop world - for free! I have had a lot of fun this summer getting to know the other interns and the magazine company better. I hope that I will be able to use the knowledge attained this summer in my future endeavors. It has been a great experience.

Research Intern, Plant Genomics Group, Yale University

2011-10-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Christopher Fragoso ‘12

Major: Biology, Integrative Genomic Sciences Certificate

Organization: Plant Genomics Group, Yale University

Location: New Haven, CT

This summer I have worked in Dr. Dellaporta's laboratory at Yale University. The lab is interested in applying genomics, the study of an organism's entire genetic code, towards plant breeding. Of special interest is meeting the challenges of climatic conditions and nutritional deficiencies present in certain parts of the world.

I had a great time working in this area of research, and this experience gave me great insight into applying to graduate school. I am thankful that the Wesleyan Summer Experience Grant, provided by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, facilitated my summer internship.

Intern, Northland Family Help Center

2011-10-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Alexandra Patrick ‘13

Major: Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Organization: Northland Family Help Center

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Interning at Northland Family Help Center is challenging, but rewarding. I spent much of the first and subsequent weeks learning about sexual assault and domestic violence, bullying, gender in the media, and how to work with men (and women) to prevent sexism and sexual violence. I mentored teens and led workshops on personal growth and development (an important part of prevention) at an overnight summer camp for a week. Throughout the entire process I have been given the opportunity to design my own projects, and treated just like a member of the team. I since planned several workshops, including a bystander intervention training for 18-25 year olds using theater games, and a workshop for adults and professionals in the community where they will gain creative solution-making tools to prevent and respond to sexual assault in their personal and professional lives. I designed a study to identify gaps in the community response to children and youth exposed to violence, and will be interviewing adults who work with children in the coming weeks for this project. NFHC hopes to use the information I gather to enhance the community response to this population. So far, my internship has been engaging, but challenging. I work mainly on my own, and have had to take a lot of initiative. However, it has been great experience, through which I have gained important skills, knowledge and more confidence in myself and my abilities.

Advocay Unit Intern, Education as a Vaccine Against Aids (EVA)

2011-10-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Oluwayimika Taiwo-Peters ‘12

Major: Neuroscience and Behavior

Organization: Education as a Vaccine Against Aids (EVA)

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

This summer, I’m working as the Advocacy Intern at a youth-led Nigerian based NGO called Education as a Vaccine (EVA). EVA’s mission is to build an innovative and sustainable mechanism for an improved quality of the life of vulnerable children and young people in Nigeria. As the advocacy intern, I work with the Advocacy Coordinator and the Youth Advocated Group (YAG) on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, such as unwanted pregnancy, post-abortion and sexually transmitted infections/diseases that affect young people in Nigeria. My tasks include updating the YAG’s profile, composing a National Health Bill review from a young person’s perspective, organizing an International Youth Day sensitization program for the YAG with members and staff of newly-instated relevant Nigeria’s National Assembly committees, meeting with like-minded groups like the Civil Society Organizations and the government on SRH issues, amongst other activities.

During my internship, I have also been exposed to projects in rural communities that focus on improving the sexual and reproductive health of vulnerable women and young people. This has given me the opportunity to see the connection between my in-office advocacy work and practical community development at the grassroots’ level.

I love my internship, mostly because it provides a window for me to have a glimpse of my desired career and although it is an information overload. I’m sure that at the end of my internship in 8 weeks, I’ll be fully equipped with sufficient information that I need to know about advocacy work in a developing country like Nigeria. After Wesleyan, I plan to pursue a Masters degree in Public Health and work in the non-profit health sector in Nigeria.

Intern, China Development Brief

2011-10-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Justin Pena ‘12

Major: Government, Certificate in International Relations

Organization: China Development Brief

Location: Beijing, China

I have spent my summer in Beijing, China interning for a Chinese NGO called the China Development Brief. The NGO reports on social development in China, mainly writing publications on the developing civil society and non-profit sector in China. I am helping out the new English component of the organization, which is working to produce material for an international audience. The project I have been given is the task of updating their old website's directory of International NGO's operating in China. I am, therefore, contacting other NGO's in China, requesting their respective organization's latest information. I also assist in editing articles, as well as translations of NGO laws and regulations, for online publication. Recently, I have agreed to do some volunteer work for another NGO, International Rivers, once per week on my spare time. That work consists of translation and research on hydropower development. I am certainly enjoying my internship at the China Development Brief, thus far. Working with an all-Chinese staff has been invaluable. I am getting a sense of a Chinese work environment, while practicing my Chinese. It is also fun discussing various social issues or cultural differences with co-workers. Although certain tasks may occasionally feel tedious, I am definitely getting a better grasp of China's social development situation. I am becoming more familiar with the work of the many NGO's in China and how the government interacts with and responds to the developing non-profit sector.

Intern, CHANEL USA

2011-10-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Class of 2012

Major: Art History

Organization: CHANEL USA

Location: New York, NY

I have been working in the Public Relations department at CHANEL this summer working with two publicists in charge of special events, ready to wear, haute couture and accessories. The experience has been thrilling, challenging, exciting and, most important, a learning experience. While most internships at fashion companies include coffee runs or making photocopies, this experience has been the most hand on of anything I have heard of (I make some photocopies but have never run to Starbucks!). I am in charge of making sure editors receive their requests, organizing the showroom, searching credit information for editorial placements, assisting my bosses in the office and the most fruitful has been my covering one of my boss’ desk for the past two weeks.

I have also done research on potential ideas for the creative team of the sunglasses line and my boss put me in charge of the research. We sat down for a meeting and we discussed what trends were missing from the company’s eyeglass wear line. As a young person interested in fashion, my opinion is actually taken into account, which has been rewarding. The most exciting thing I have done is working the private showings which are opportunities for all major editors and press to come view the new fall lines in person. Finally, covering my boss’ desk while she is has been out of the office has been challenging but I am actually learning what my boss does on a day-to-day basis. From answering editors’ requests, scheduling appointments, following up on invoices or sending out press kits, earning my boss’ trust to cover her desk for the past two weeks has been the best experience.

Intern, Special Victims Bureau, Queens District Attorney's Office

2011-10-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Eliana Theodorou ‘12

Major: Sociology, Environmental Studies

Organization: Special Victims Bureau, Queens District Attorney’s Office

Location: Brooklyn, NY

This summer, I am working as an intern in the Special Victims Bureau of the Queens District Attorney's Office. The Special Victims Bureau handles all rape and sex crime cases, child abuse cases, and elder abuse cases. Because of the sensitive and especially traumatic nature of the crimes the Bureau handles, assistant district attorneys must not only be skilled at handling a trial but also sensitive and able to work with people during what is likely the most difficult event that has occurred in their lives. Just observing the ADAs at work has been an incredible learning experience. In addition, though, all of the interns in my bureau attend bi-weekly lectures; on Tuesdays, one of the ADAs from the Special Victims Bureau talks about some aspect of their work--some of the topics have included the sex offender registry, how to interview a child, how to take a non-coercive videotaped confession, and how to pick a jury--, and on Thursday, all of the interns in the entire DA's office gather for a lecture from an ADA from a different bureau each week, so we can all learn a bit about what other bureaus do. The DA's office is great about really letting interns learn and observe--this is definitely not an unpaid job type of internship--and we often get to go sit in on trials and sometimes even go with ADAs as they go out to a crime scene. Specifically, I've been doing a lot of research for an ADA's law review article about prosecuting shaken baby syndrome, as well as transcribing lots of interviews and phone calls. So far the internship has been a great experience. The internship has also demonstrated to me that Wesleyan, (and especially the sociology major!), prepares students for the combination of skills required to be an ADA in the Special Victims Bureau--or to work as a lawyer with any vulnerable, oppressed, or exploited population. This type of work requires excellent logical reasoning and critical analysis skills, writing skills, as well as extreme compassion and the ability to understand the situations of others.

Intern, MINDS (Mental Illnesses and Neurological Diseases Foundation, Inc.

2011-10-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Rachel Santiago ‘12

Major: Psychology

Organization: MINDS (Mental Illnesses and Neurological Diseases Foundation, Inc.)

Location: New York/India

My summer was split between two cities. I started out in New York, USA, working as a Development Intern for the MINDS Foundation. I assisted in the promotion of fund raising events, worked on volunteer materials, and assisted in preparation for the trip to India. After a few weeks in New York, I flew to Vadodara, a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. Unfortunately, I got sick with food poisoning and had to come back home in order to get better. However, had I not gotten sick, my role as a volunteer would have had two stages: stage one involves shadowing psychiatrists at Dhiraj General Hospital, learning more about mental health care and what it means to be a mental health care worker in India. In the second stage, I would have traveled to the MINDS clinic in the village of GolaGamadi to conduct baseline surveys. Luckily, I was able to do part of the first stage, and I learned a great deal about a number of things about mental health care and Indian hospitals. However, I learned even more from the general experience of being in India: I have seen a slum filled with homes built out of tarp and sticks placed next to a Toyota dealership, bathed from a bucket, and sat in traffic as we weaved our way around the cows that roam the streets of India. The most important thing I have learned is what it means to be a member of a global community, one who is mindful of her consumerism and the toll it takes on the environment. Since I have been home I have continued to work for MINDS, developing materials for future volunteers and for the program directors of the MINDS Foundation. I continue to apply the lessons I learned in India to my daily life here, and it is a continuing process—one I am extremely grateful for.

Intern, Royal Swaziland Sugar Cooperation

2011-10-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Nelson Zwane ‘12

Major: Chemistry and Molecular & Biology Biochemistry

Organization: Royal Swaziland Sugar Cooperation

Location: Simunye, Swaziland

So far my main responsibilities have been focused on fermentation (converting sugar to alcohol). I have been doing two main tasks: diluting the molasses with water and then adding yeast & diammonium phosphate. My other colleagues have been performing the follow up fermentation for at least 40 hours to produce 11% beer and the beer is then evaporated. For the next day I will be exploring different yeast species that may increase the yield and help reduce waste.

Advocacy and Research Intern, March of Dimes, Office of Government Affairs

2010-06-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

Grant Recipient: Vignatha Reddy, Class of 2011
Major: Psychology, Neuroscience
Organization: March of Dimes, Office of Government Affairs
Location: Washington, DC

Presently, I am interning for the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization devoted to the cause of healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Working in the Office of Government Affairs (OGA), much of my time is devoted to supporting the organization’s advocacy efforts though the researching of background information on topics pertaining to maternal and child health. To date, I have researched and written reports or advocacy resource documents on issues such as the effects of maternal smoking on birth outcomes, best practices in preterm birth intervention programs, and the effectiveness of point of sale health warning signs in deterring health risk behavior. I have also closely followed legislation on child (and maternal) nutrition programs, edited reports pertaining to healthcare access for pregnant women, and spearheaded a project that would enable to the organization to recruit volunteers interested in supporting its advocacy efforts into an internal database.

Overall, this has been an exciting experience that has afforded me a unique political perspective on the workings of our healthcare system. Given the recent passage of major health reform legislation, it has been an exciting time to be in DC working for an organization keenly interested in health-related issues. Having listened in to various conference calls and attended the organization’s annual public policy advisory council meeting, where I heard from legislators and directors of agencies closely involved with this topic, I have been able to learn much about the actual components of the healthcare reform bill, the changes it will bring, and the challenges in implementation ahead.

As a premedical science major used to working in research labs and in clinical settings, working in an office has been a major but refreshing change. I have learnt much about healthcare issues on a public policy and social justice perspective, which I normally would not have been exposed to in a traditional premedical trajectory.

Overall, this has been a great experience which I would strongly recommend for both those interested in politics and/or the health professions.