Grants awarded to UW students going on summer, fall 2016 internships abroad

University of Wisconsin–Madison students preparing to embark on international internships for the summer and fall of 2016 were among those who gathered recently to hear words of encouragement and to receive scholarships to help pay their way.

These 26 undergraduates were recognized April 19, at the International Division Spring 2016 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, an 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.

Promega recipients Andrew Delaitsch and Timothy Krueger with Michelle Kern-Hall and Maj Fischer of the International Internship Program.
Promega recipients Andrew Delaitsch and Timothy Krueger with Michelle Kern-Hall and Maj Fischer of the International Internship Program.

The Promega International Scientific Internship Award – made possible through a generous grant from the Promega Corporation – supports undergraduate students taking an unpaid international internship aimed at improving the quality of life in the world. UW–Madison students from all science fields are eligible but preference is given to students whose internships use molecular biology techniques.

Recipients, interning in summer 2016 (with hometown, area of study, internship country, sponsor, and focus):

  • Andrew Delaitsch, of Sun Prairie, WI, economics and biochemistry, interning in Germany, with European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), through CALS International Programs, investigating fundamental problems in molecular, cell developmental, and/or computational biology in a research laboratory
  • Timothy Krueger, of Madison, WI, biochemistry, interning in England, with Summer Cambridge and Oxford Research Experience (SCORE), through CALS International Programs, investigating fundamental problems in biochemistry and molecular biology
WIP Grant recipients Jessica Franco-Morales, Rose Lamensdorf and Lora Daskalska
WIP Grant recipients Jessica Franco-Morales, Rose Lamensdorf and Lora Daskalska

The International Internship Fund was established to help defray the costs associated with work abroad opportunities. International internships reinforce students’ academic experiences and advance their professional training as well as foster global competence and international literacy. This fund provides Worldwide Internship Program Grants and IIP Travel Grants for students who participate in internships affiliated with UW-Madison’s International Internship Program.

Recipients interning in summer 2016 (with hometown, standing, and area of study, internship country, sponsor, and focus):

  • Makala Bach, of Dorchester, WI, junior, food science, interning in Ecuador, with Finca Mono Verde, supporting production and application of farming techniques and data analysis on an organic farm
  • David Bangs, of Racine, WI, senior, Chinese, history and international studies, interning in India, with Center for Experiencing Socio-cultural Interaction (CESCI), administrative, communications, archival, development and social welfare projects
  • Rachel Beltz, of Rochester, MN, junior, international studies, and development economics and digital studies certificates, interning in Argentina, with The Bubble, writing breaking news articles
  • Lora Daskalska, of New Berlin, WI, junior, biology, environmental studies and global health certificates, interning in Bulgaria, with Association Sustainability of Progressive and Open Communication, outreach and educational projects
  • Nicholas Engen, of Grand Rapids, MN, senior, agricultural and applied economics, global health certificate, interning in Botswana, with DLG Naturals, Inc., general production of botanical oils and animal feed, developing standard operating procedures and quality assurance protocols, assisting the development of new products from indigenous fruits
  • Jessica Franco-Morales, of Green Bay, WI, senior, political science, interning in Peru, with Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru (HOOP), community outreach and international development programs
  • Jared Garner, of Darien, CT, psychology and entrepreneurship certificate, interning in Germany, with RWTH Aachen University, collecting heart-rate data, testing cortisol levels in saliva samples and administering psychological questionnaires for a lab
  • Iain Gedrose, of Portland, OR, biological systems engineering, interning in Spain, with Ria Financial, communications, PR and marketing
  • Carolyn Hoffelt, of Bruce, WI, senior, art history, international studies, and European studies undergraduate certificate, interning in Italy, with Uffizi Gallery, projects relating to exhibitions, artwork loans, documents filing and providing assistance to scholars and students
  • Alexandria Huebler, of Milwaukee, WI, sophomore, human development and family studies, interning in Uganda, with CARITAS for Children–Uganda, outreach and education programs
  • Samir Idrissi, of River Falls, WI, senior, biology, theatre and drama, interning in Uganda, with CARITAS for Children–Uganda, outreach and education programs
  • Kanna Izushi-Ciolkosz, of Madison, WI, senior, art and Japanese, interning in Japan, with Central Japan Railway Company (JR-Central), observation and assessment projects
  • Tiana Jacobs, of Racine, WI, senior, international studies and political science, interning in Costa Rica, with The Costa Rica News, researching/editing articles, social media, advertising and marketing
  • Alexander Koo, of Las Vegas, NV, pharmacology and toxicology, interning in England, with Summer Cambridge and Oxford Research Experience (SCORE), through CALS International Programs, investigating fundamental problems in biochemistry and molecular biology
  • David Lahm, of Lyme, CT, junior, biomedical engineering, interning in Iceland, with Reykjavik University, learning and utilizing data acquisition and analysis to help with projects in neurophysiology
  • Rose Lamensdorf, of Franklin, WI, junior, political science, Teaching English as a Second Language certificate, interning in India, with Women’s Education Project, assisting with field trips, workshops and volunteer activities to help students learn life skills
  • Nicholas Lepar, Racine, WI, junior, computer sciences and electrical engineering, interning in Denmark, with WireDelta, developing web and mobile applications
  • Aidan McMorrow, of Quincy, MA, junior, Spanish, interning in Costa Rica, with The Costa Rica News, researching/editing articles, social media, advertising and marketing
  • Tasnia Tabassum, of De Pere, WI, senior, biomedical engineering, interning in Iceland, with Reykjavik University, learning and utilizing data acquisition and analysis to help with projects in neurophysiology
  • Hayley Thompson, of Eden Prairie, MN, junior, political science, interning in Costa Rica, with The Costa Rica News, researching/editing articles, social media, advertising and marketing
  • Ryan Weisman, of Fox Point, WI, senior, computer engineering and computer sciences, interning in Japan, with Central Japan Railway Company (JR-Central), observation and assessment projects
  • Tang Yang, of Fitchburg, WI, junior, social work, interning in Uganda, with CARITAS for Children–Uganda, outreach and education programs

Recipients interning in fall 2016 (with hometown, standing and area of study, internship country, sponsor, and focus):

  • Sydney Olson, of Roseville, MN, junior, biology, interning in Uganda, with CARITAS for Children-Uganda, outreach and education programs
  • Ann Trafford, of Washington, DC, senior, international studies and sociology, interning in India, with Center for Experiencing Socio-cultural Interaction (CESCI), administrative, communications, archival, development and social welfare projects

— by Kerry G. Hill

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