Author Archives: rha5076

A semester with CGS

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!

As I begin my work this semester with The Center for Global Studies, I am very excited about all the opportunities this internship has for me. As an International Politics major, I love engaging in discussions about global issues and learning more about other cultures and governments. For me, this internship is the first chance I’ve had so far during my college career to apply what I’ve learned in an academic setting that isn’t a classroom. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with other people who share my interests and love for global studies. I hope that through the World Stories Alive program, I will learn more about foreign languages alongside the children for whom the program is for. Even as a student who is over ten years older than the children in attendance, there is so much to be taken from the stories and the languages. I hope to be in a career someday where I can meet and interact with people from all around the world so even minimal exposure to other languages and cultures now is so valuable. I am also looking forward to the multiple lecture series and the great speakers who are coming to Penn State this spring. Being able to learn about important global issues that concern health, politics, education and many other things from scholars who have studied the topics extensively is such a rare and special opportunity that I am fortunate to have.  By writing about these lectures and doing further research about these issues I can gain deeper knowledge while improving my writing skills. I am grateful for the Center for Global Studies and am looking forward to all the experiences I will gain from my time as an intern there this semester.

Renee Arnold