University of Wisconsin–Madison students preparing to embark on international internships for the summer and fall of 2014 were among those who gathered recently to hear words of encouragement and to receive scholarships to help pay their way.
These 13 undergraduates were recognized April 17, at the Division of International Studies Spring 2014 Scholarship Award Ceremony, co-sponsored by the Division’s International Academic Programs and International Internship Program.
The International Internship Program (IIP) identifies, cultivates and promotes high-quality internship opportunities that advance the professional training of UW-Madison undergraduate students, foster global competency, and reinforce academic learning through practical application.
IIP also coordinates the Worldwide Internship Program, a three-credit online course for students in IIP-cultivated internships or for students who independently find their own internship overseas and want to earn credit related to their experience. The course guides students through issues related to globalization and helps them manage the challenges of working across cultures.
Related: UW students going abroad in 2014 get advice, awards
Here are the IIP award descriptions and recipients recognized at the spring 2014 ceremony:
Worldwide Internship Program Grants, supported by the International Internship Fund, help defray costs for students who participate in the Worldwide Internship Program in conjunction with their international internships. Recipients:
- Amber Cook, of Wausau, WI, senior in human development and family studies, internship in Nkokonjeru, Uganda, with CARITAS for Children (elementary education, community outreach and education programs)
- Leslie Jernegan, of Oregon, WI, senior in English and Spanish, internship in Lima, Peru, with Berlitz (teaching English and lesson preparation)
- Justanjot Kaur, of Pulaski, WI, senior seeking a global health certificate, internship in Amritsar, India, with Pingalwara Institution (public health education & curriculum development)
- Kelsey Manders, of Green Bay, WI, senior in communication arts and journalism, internship in Dublin, Ireland, with USIT – Ireland (international exchange, communications and support)
- Jennifer Ostrowski, of Superior, WI, sophomore in international studies, internship in Quichinche, Ecuador, with Tandana Foundation (education, curriculum development)
- Dana Radojevic, of Madison, WI, senior in international studies and political science, internship in Zagreb, Croatia, with US Department of State (international relations, human rights, political processes of US Embassy)
- April Szafranski, of Kenosha, WI, junior in communication arts and zoology, internship in Shanghai, China, with BioFarm (organic farming, food sustainability and communications)
- Elizabeth Wendt, of Cottage Grove, WI, junior in biology, English and global health certificate, internship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with UW Health Ethiopian Project (community empowerment through education on health, nutrition)
- Olivia Wisden, of Stoughton, WI, junior in international studies and communication arts, internship in London, England, with WorldEndeavors (communications)
The Plexus International Internship Award – sponsored by Plexus, a Wisconsin-based corporation – is awarded each year to one outstanding undergraduate engineering student selected to work at the Plexus office in Neenah and in one of the company’s international offices. Recipient:
- Nicholas Levin, of Waupun, WI, senior in computer engineering and economics, internship in Penang, Malaysia, with Plexus (development of custom electronic projects)
The Promega International Scientific Internship Award – sponsored by the Promega Corporation – supports undergraduate students in all fields of science undertaking an unpaid international internship aimed at improving the quality of life in the world – especially internships using molecular biology techniques. Recipients:
- Alvin Chandra, of East Kalimantan, Indonesia, senior in chemistry, internship in Kobe, Japan with RIKEN Quantitative Biology Research Center (biological research)
- Jacqueline German, of Madison, WI, senior in civil and environmental engineering, internship in Helsinki, Finland, with Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE), (development of virtual project on ecosystems)
- Brandon Li, of Appleton, WI, sophomore in biomedical engineering, internship in Hsinchu, Taiwan, at National Tsing Hua University (research in biomedical engineering and materials science)
In addition, 34 students participating this summer in internationally-located or internationally-focused internships were awarded International Internship Travel Grants, a program created to help students offset travel costs.
For information about IIP scholarships and grants, to go the IIP page on Scholarships@UW.
— by Kerry G. Hill