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