I have always considered myself a planner. Whether it is planning to complete various assignments to making plans with friends, I like to stay organized. Therefore, when Sarah said that Aaron and I were going to have to plan an event for International Education Week, I was excited. At the same time, however, I found it daunting. Throughout my time at Penn State, I have assisted with the planning of various events and conferences with the clubs I am involved in. However, never before had I been given such open-ended instructions: Aaron and I could plan the event in whatever format and on whatever (global and timely) topic we wanted! While this was a little daunting, I knew that we would be able to put together a great event, and knew that Sarah, Mary, and Emily would be there to help us.

The fact that Aaron and I are both in the same History of Fascism and Nazism class made the topic selection easier, as we soon realized that we should involve our professor, Dr. Guettel. Thus, most of the planning went smoothly, and the next time I have to plan something similar, I do not think that I will feel so intimidated. However, one of the biggest lessons that I learned was that you cannot expect people to respond as quickly as you would like them to. Even though Aaron the reaching out to other potential panelists, it was still very frustrating to hear that people were not communicative or responsive in a timely manner. It made the process of finding speakers incredibly difficult. I think that this was definitely the biggest obstacle we had to overcome in the planning stages. However, the frustration paid off, and the panelists that we did have speak were all very informed, well spoken, and easy to work with.

Overall, when it came to the night of the event, I think that it went really well! I believe that the three speakers—Dr. Guettel, Mr. Reuning, and Mr. Morabito, all of whom spoke on different aspects of Fascism—gave the evening a unique edge. By including the history of fascism, as well as fascist and alt. right movements from an international politics and United States politics perspective, it was an engaging talk for individuals of all disciplines and interests. Additionally, not only was the content informative, the event was also well attended. The audience was engaged and participated in the discussion that followed the presentations. Therefore, I definitely believe that all of the hard work and planning for this event paid off.

-Katie Bartuska

On October 24, my fellow intern Katie and I got to host our event “Echoes of 20th CenturyFascism on Modern Politics and Culture” after a long and arduous period of planning – it wasn’t easy!

Finding a venue and time was easy, thanks to the help of Sarah, Mary, and Emily, but finding speakers was the difficult part. I had to have sent out emails to at least 30 professors and graduate students before we finalized with Dr. Jens-Uwe Guettel, Doctoral Candidate Kevin Reuning, and graduate student Brad Morabito.

Despite the strenuous task of finding the speakers, I could not have asked for more knowledgable or engaged speakers than the three gentlemen that we had. It was evident that each was an expert in their field not only in their well-organized presentations, but in their responses to questions from the crowd after they presented.

On that note, the crowd honestly surprised me. We had over 20 participants, more than I wouldhave expected, and all of them were entertained, engaged, and interested in the discussion. I had some friends from my political science and history courses, and they all gave me encouraging words about the event since they knew that I had helped plan it. Them being there meant a lot for me because I know how busy their course schedules are, yet they made time to support me and learn about fascism – not necessarily the most fun of topics.

The CGS staff was also very commendable through it all and helped make it a huge success. Katie helped immensely with planning, organizing, and hosting with me, while Sarah, Emily, and Mary helped with the logistics and made it possible to pull of the event seamlessly. Their expertise in event hosting really showed.

All in all, it was a pleasant experience that taught me valuable communication skills, event planning, and communication among speakers, colleagues, and school faculty. Moving forward, due to the lessons learned from emailing professors, I will have to start planning events about two months out, at least!

– Aaron Morris

Not only will this upcoming semester and year at the CGS be a new experience for myself, dealing with a federally-funded program, but just a new experience in terms of my first internship. As a sophomore at Penn State I still have a lot of growing and figuring out to do despite already having steadfast goals and desires for my future. Part of that process involves various jobs and internships that I will be apart of over the course of my four years in undergraduate studies.

At first I considered an internship with my local senator or congressman, but after talking with classmates and friends that are interested in the same career field, I realized that the majority were taking that road, so like any millennial would do, I stopped, turned and went down the road less traveled by. I began my search for a rewarding experience that not only caters to my general interests in politics, social studies, geography, and world cultures, but one that challenges me in aspects that don’t just make me a coffee-delivering mule, which very well may have been the most important of my duties as a small fish in the ocean of Washington D.C.

These thoughts brought me to the CGS as I realized I would be working with professionals in an open and growth-oriented environment that would challenge me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.

I am looking forward to working with the children of the local Young Scholars of Central PA Charter School in State College, PA where I am leading three after school clubs of World Cultures, Comparative Politics, and Journalism for various ages throughout K-8. In collaboration with Helena Khan, the Extended Day Club Coordinator at the school, we’ve been able to incorporate a world-oriented perspective into my clubs to broaden the horizons of knowledge in the children that I’m responsible for.

I also am eagerly anticipating interactions with speakers that the CGS is bringing to Penn State, including Bassem Youssef, a revolutionary comedian from Egypt that challenged the modern government with satire and comedy. I will have to read his book and perhaps have the opportunity to interview the man that was named to the Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People of 2013 list.

Furthermore, I will work with my colleagues to host other events and speakers to inform the Penn State community on the world around them, something that I find rewarding, especially in the United States. In our elementary schools, we are taught a very U.S.-centric world history and view that hinders us on the global stage moving forward. So, to be able to inform the same students that are taught world history from only the perspective of the United States about world cultures, politics, and events will be a very rewarding experience.

Along with my fellow intern Katie, I’m sure we will have a successful, rewarding, and fulfilling year at the CGS. Good times, good experiences, and a good journey is underway here at Penn State.

Looking forward at this coming semester, I find myself feeling a lot of different feelings. Thrilled, yet nervous, to be more than half way done with my college career. Worried that I will struggle balancing so many things all at once. But when I look forward at what is to come, more than anything I am excited. Excited to be taking really interesting classes in three subjects (International Politics, Economics, and History). Excited to contribute to clubs on campus that I love. And incredibly excited to have the experience to intern at a really great place–The Center for Global Studies.  

Before I entered college, I had no clue what I wanted to major in because I loved so many different areas within the Liberal Arts. Even now, two years later, I absolutely love what I am studying, but continue to remain interested in many other topics, such as geography, global health, and literature. This is one of the reasons why I am m looking forward to interning with the Center for Global Studies, because I am excited to be given the opportunity to learn about countless global topics. I am excited to be given the opportunity to plan and attend events, interview scholars, and therefore learn about areas that I am interested in that have not been able to study formally. For example, so far, I have written about a lecture by a prominent scholar on ISIS, Jihad, and Islamic Law, which fits perfectly into this category of topics I wish I had more time to study!  

No matter what I do in the year to come and following graduation, I know that the Center for Global Studies will have assisted in providing me with tangible skills that I will continuously be able to use. Everything from press releases to social media to creating posters and marketing events—no matter what my field I know that these skills will be incredibly helpful. I can’t wait to hone these skills, and countless more.

All in all, while this semester might be one of the most academically rigorous and busy semesters of my Penn State career thus far, I am excited for the skills and opportunities this internship will present me with. I am exceptionally grateful to have been given this opportunity and to be able to work and study what I love.

-Katie Bartuska