Junior Haven Ashley and senior Sarah Pembrook are taking their experiences of studying abroad last semester and putting them to good use.
Ashley got accepted for an internship with the International Studies Abroad program, the company she used to study abroad last semester. The program helps students coordinate different opportunities for them to study abroad virtually anywhere.
Ashley studied at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy.
After using the International Studies Abroad program last semester she gained alumna status through the organization, which made her eligible to apply for the internship.
“I applied for this internship to effectively share my experience of studying abroad and show people the benefits of studying in another country,” Ashley said.
For the internship, Ashley is the representative for ISA on campus. The one-year internship is paid and suggests she do four activities a semester to help benefit the study abroad program at Baker. These activities can range from posters, bulletin boards, presentations in classes or forums.
“What I hope to gain from this internship is to get more students interested in studying abroad,” Ashley said, “But just not for ISA, but for any program that Baker offers.”
Much like Ashley, Pembrook has an internship through the company she used to study abroad with, called the Institute for Studying Abroad.
Pembrook spent last semester studying abroad in Ireland.
She was recommended to apply by the liaison she corresponded with throughout her study abroad experience.
“I got recommended to apply, and after thinking about it, I decided to (apply) because I really loved studying abroad,” Pembrook said. “I really wanted to share my experience.”
She started her internship in August and has done multiple projects for the study abroad office at Baker.
“I was in charge of the studying abroad bulletin board in the library for the month of October and am in the process of planning a presentation about studying abroad with (Ashley) to end out the semester,” Pembrook said.
Each internship is similar in the work that is done. The only difference is that the internships are with two different companies.
Pembrook hopes to use this internship to her advantage because she wants to stay involved with study abroad even though she is back in the United States.
“I just really enjoy talking to people about studying abroad and hope this internship is a stepping stone to hopefully a job after I graduate,” Pembrook said.
BU Study Abroad Coordinator Kathy Wilson is excited for Pembrook and Ashley’s internships.
Wilson thinks both women will do a great job promoting at Baker.
Pembrook and Ashley will be helping Wilson with the upcoming International Education Week in November.
“Each woman will help promote cultural awareness throughout this whole week by speaking about their study abroad experiences,” Wilson said.