As I finish my last few days of spring semester, I have had time to reflect on the wonderful experience I have had interning at the Center for Global Studies. Before this internship, I had never had actual experience outside of the classroom working at a job relevant to my major. The Center for Global Studies gave me the opportunity to use my love for the study of international relations in multiple ways. Starting some of my Saturdays with World Stories Alive was such a joy. Seeing the children enthusiastic about learning new languages made me so happy and gave me confidence in the next generation and their ability to make positive changes in the world. I also loved the opportunity to interview Dr. Ilieva and help coordinate her visit to campus. Seeing all of that hard work culminate into a successful event was very special.

I would like to say thank you to Sarah, Mary and Emily for creating such a warm work environment. Thank you for challenging me as an intern but also for understanding the demands of being a student and all that comes with that role.  Thank you also to Rana and Tolu, It was a pleasure collaborating with you. Good luck to all the CGS Staff in whatever the future brings to them!

As I look ahead to my future, I see how the skills I acquired as an intern will help me in many ways. Fall semester I am studying abroad in Paris and London and am going to have another part-time internship while I am studying. Working for CGS has improved my time management skills and taught me how to better balance work, school and my social life. This internship has also improved my writing skills and taught me how to write in new forms, like press releases.

Thank you again to the Center for Global Studies and I will miss you all!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have interned at the Center for Global Studies. I am especially happy for the chance to have taught some High School kids at Bellefonte. Their obvious ease with grappling with foreign material and the warmth they showed pleasantly surprised me. World Stories Alive was another great experience. The innocent energy that little children have can be very therapeutic (in small doses). Exposing them early on to other cultures is the right step in promoting a more tolerant global village, and I am very happy to have been a part of that.

The approachability of Emily, Mary and Sarah did wonders for my sense of ease while working. The office was always serene and the attitude positive. I can only hope to find a ‘real’ job with such an atmosphere. My fellow interns Rana and Renee were also a joy to work with, and I wish both success in their future ventures.

For my personal growth, I think working at CGS has been very beneficial. It has let me know that with a bit of effort, one can step out of one’s comfort zone in terms of work load, types of activities one undertakes and people one has to interact with. I can not say that I am worse off in any way by having worked here, and I look forward to any other interactions I have with all I have met at CGS in the future.

The year I spent at the Center for Global Studies gave me confidence in my future career plans.  Prior to this internship, I could not pinpoint a solid career path based on my dual majors of Global and International Studies (GLIS) and International Politics.  These majors are broad and could result in a career in the government, a non-government organization or lead to graduate school, law school and who knows what else.  I was in a discouraging fog because I did not know how to turn my studies into a practical career.  However, after a year of working at the Center for Global Studies I view my majors in a new light because of the inspiring people I had the honor of working with and meeting.  

Two of the most inspiring people that I had the opportunity to learn from and work with were Sarah and Mary.  Every step of the way they were there to challenge me and support me as I stepped out of my comfort zone. 

A few things that I learned was how to be open to critique, how to interview high profile professionals, how to write press releases, design posters and write articles for a newsletter.

What started out as a simple desire to acquire an internship turned into an experience of a lifetime filled with lessons on patience, teamwork, interviewing, photography, design, writing and computer skills.  These new skills will allow me to present a new level of expertise in future internships and careers.  Another added bonus to this internship was the World Stories Alive series were I had the opportunity to work with children and explore new languages and cultures.  This will be extremely useful as I study abroad this summer in Amman, Jordan.  

Interning at the Center for Global Studies has expanded my global knowledge and awareness through first hand experience in a professional setting.  

I wish you all the best and I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing things that the CGS puts one.

Rana Mohamed