Australia - Belize - Costa Rica - Ecuador -France - Germany - Ghana - India - Kenya - Mexico -Namibia - Peru - Senegal - Tanzania - Thailand

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Send us an email with your update and we'll post it to the alumni update section. Let us know the year of your internship, a summary of what you did and what you have done since. Please let us know if you would like to have your email address posted so that people interested in your profile can contact you.

AUSTRALIA
Toni Flitcraft (Fulbright Commission, 2003)
(1/23/2007) In the summer of 2003, I graduated from OSU and left for Canberra, Australia to intern at the Australian-American Fulbright Commission. What a life changing experience! Going into the internship I thought I would come back to the United States 6 months later and apply for my Masters of Art in Teaching. While in Australia, I learned so much about myself- my likes, my dislikes, my passions, my motivations. My time there opened my eyes to so many career fields that I didn't even knew existed and I realized teaching wasn't the career for me.

My return from Australia can be summed up as one big career search! I have considered many career options from international education, public relations, to even re-considering teaching. I returned in May 2006 from a year teaching English in Seoul, South Korea where I further explored my options. Currently, I am working at a nonprofit Chinese Adoption Agency in Portland and have finally decided on a career field. I am in the process of applying for programs to earn my Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. The road I have taken after graduating from OSU has been winding and confusing. However, it has been a necessary trip in my search to find a career that is truly right for me. My internship at the Australian-American Fulbright Commission was the experience that prompted me to start my explorations. For this I am very grateful. Not only did my internship give me a great life experience, it also inspired me to search for a better future instead of settling for a safe one.

BELIZE
Jessica Rosien (2000)
I completed a Master's program in Applied Anthropology at OSU and in the course of it, did an internship through Global Graduates in 2000. Rob Thurston had helped me get a placement with the conservation and ecotourism organization, TIDE (Toledo Institute for Development and Environment) in Belize. My particular task was monitoring and evaluating the success of a TIDE-managed marine reserve. I am now in the Philippines, working for my second year with the NGO Forum on the ADB, which is a watchdog organization for the Asian Development Bank. The organization is an international network of NGOs and People's Organizations that work on ADB related issues. Based on the view and experience that the Asian Development Bank and other international financial institutions often cause more harm than good in developing countries, our office and network members aim to influence ADB programs and projects in such a way that they actually benefit the poor in Asia. We try to achieve this goal through analysis, project and policy monitoring, direct lobbying and advocacy with ADB management and Board, and also sometimes protest-oriented actions, such as boycotts and demonstrations. Since my internship was with a local organization in Belize, it did not directly relate to the larger picture, policy oriented work I am doing today, but it gave me a good insight in what the situation is like on the ground, what issues communities are grappling with at the local level, and this knowledge is essential if you want to make changes on the international policy level. With the internship experience and the work I do today, I feel like I have both a micro and a macro perspective of development. Together with the background of my degree in applied anthropology, I highly value my theoretical, practical, and research experiences at OSU and can always draw the link back from my work and living experience today, which is very gratifying. Thank you very much and warm greetings from the tropical Philippines.

COSTA RICA
Stacy Lutsch, ICAS
During winter term, 2004, I interned at the Institute for Central American Studies (ICAS) in San José, Costa Rica, writing for the monthly political journal Mesoamerica and teaching a few EFL classes on the side. I graduated with my B.A. in Spanish and Journalism from the UO in June, 2004, and went to Honduras to teach at a private bilingual school for a few months before returning to work at the Interamerican University Studies Institute (IUSI), a non-profit here in Eugene that runs the UO Querétaro, Mexico programs, as well as high school and other undergraduate programs to Mexico and Costa Rica. I can say with certainty that my time at Mesoamerica as an IE3 intern has helped me professionally by making me a more attractive job candidate to the international organizations that I have worked for. It makes my resumé stand out in a crowd, more so than just a study abroad experience would have done. The combination of my semester abroad in Spain and my IE3 global internship is not invincible in the competitive international job market, but it is very close.
It is also extremely helpful in academic circles, as it shows a dedication to furthering knowledge in all areas of a culture. I will be attending the University of Kansas' M.A. program in Latin American Studies starting fall semester, 2005 on an academic year FLAS (Foreign Language Area Studies) fellowship, a very competitive and generous award given for study of a non-traditional language, in my case Portuguese.

David Molina, ICAS
(6/2006) After spending my summer and part of the fall 2003 at the Institute for Central American Studies (ICAS) in San José, Costa Rica, I came back to Oregon State University to complete my B.A. in Political Science graduating in March of 2004. While at ICAS I wrote articles for its monthly publication, Mesoamérica, a news and analysis of Central America, and taught EFL classes for a few weeks. I was exposed to lectures, conferences, and seminars and through a personal initiative joined and participated in mountain excursions with UCR's Club de Montañismo. Currently, I'm Managing Partner/Chief Operating Officer of RED Consulting Group, LLP, and serve on the Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs. The ICAS internship exposed me to a wide-breadth of cultural and political insight that othewise would not have been available. I hope others interested in increasing their cultural and linguistic abilities take the opportunity to work and live in another country, IE3 offers the opportunity only dreamed of in the average workplace.

ECUADOR
Judith Friedman, UNIFEM, Quito (2004-2005)
(9/28/2005) 10 months after my arrival in Quito to intern for UNIFEM’s Andean Regional office, I find myself with paid work across town with UNESCO’s Culture Department. At UNIFEM, I was thrust from my safe academic cocoon into an international, professional context where I coordinated projects with indigenous, afro, youth and lesbian women. The lessons I learned about bureaucracy, interoffice dynamics, general development work and even Ecuadorian culture during my first 6 months here, while at UNIFEM, prepared me for the extremely integrated, demanding work that is constantly piled on my desk at UNESCO where I am literally swamped with work, translations, projects to revise and draft and program budgets to adjust. A few weeks ago, while working in the north-westernmost province of Ecuador I found myself translating a conversation between African UNESCO officials and the President of Ecuador. I will be here until December and then in January I am starting my Masters at the Law School of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland in Criminal Justice and Human Rights. Scotland may be a sad, cold shock after Ecuador but I have found that one thing usually leads to another.

FRANCE
Jaimie Ellis, Lyon, (1999)
I spent a year on exchange in Poitiers, France in 1998-99 and then stayed on to do a Global Graduates Internship. As soon as I graduated from the U of O in 2000, I moved to Paris where I became a permanent staff member at the OECD (Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development). I worked at the OECD until Sept. 2003 when I moved to London to start Law school. I am now in London studying and working part-time at Standard and Poors. I have become quite involved in community service here in London but thought it would be helpful to offer myself as a contact for the overseas program at the U of O. When I was thinking about studying abroad it really helped me to talk to students who had been on the programs and they had some really interesting advice. It was quite discouraging though when I would ask how I could work abroad and everyone would tell me it was practically impossible. Anyway, I just thought that I should contact you to say I would be more than happy to talk to any students interested in studying/working abroad or offering to help out in any other way.

Nikki Letherer, Chateau de Nitray, (2005)
After spending my summer in France at the Chateau de Veuil and the Chateau de Nitray, I took a term off of school to work and earn some money in my hometown. I am now back at the University of Oregon and planning to graduate in the spring of 2006. I am currently applying for jobs. Listing my prior experience with wine, the food service industry, and being able to speak a second language have been helping me get a leg up on the competition. Even though I haven't found a job yet, as the job market is not always booming in Eugene, I frequently have employers mention that I'm on the top of the resume pile. Working abroad has given me the aspiration to return to Europe after I graduate and find a job over there for at least a year. After being entirely immersed in the French culture and steadily being able to improve my language skills over the summer, I have decided that either returning to Europe where I can speak French every day, or finding a job in the United States where I can do the same, is the only way I can get my French skills to a level where I won't lose it in a few years. I am currently doing an internship at Fox Hollow Elementary School, a public immersion school located in Eugene, and working with children at the second grade level who are already bilingual. I am also arranging an exchange between a family in my home town of Newport, Oregon and my "host brother" in France, Jacques de l'Espinay. Getting the opportunity to create a link between these two families, these two countries, and these two cultures has also sparked my interest in arranging more exchanges in the future. The IE3 global internship program changed me, inspired me, fulfilled my expectations and exceeded them. I wouldn't have as much confidence in the global job market today if I hadn't been given the chance to participate in this program. I am enthusiastic about my future and will keep you informed of any new changes! Thanks again for the great experience! (January, 2006).

GERMANY
Cortnie Shupe, Ludwigsburg (2003), Ayacucho, Peru (2004)
After completing her internship at Trainingspunkt in Ludwgisburg, Germany, Cortnie studied in Spain and returned to the UO. At the beginning of her senior year, she completed a second internship working with women's microfinance in Ayacucho, Peru. Cortnie was just awarded both a Fulbright and a DAAD grant for a master's program in Germany focused on international development work. She will start that program in the fall of 2005.

GHANA
Jennifer Fero, Cape Coast (1997)
Currently, I am the Vice Principal at Roosevelt high school in North Portland. It is my first year as an administrator. Prior to this, I was a social studies teacher at Reynolds high school in Troutdale. I have recently finished my Masters in Ed Administration. I treasured my time in Cape Coast, Ghana in 1997 where I co-taught with a Ghanaian teacher. The history and culture I learned there help me daily as I work with a diverse population at Roosevelt. 'I am a different person having seen the moon on the other side of the world.' Thank you Global Graduates!

INDIA
Samantha Evans, CFHI Rural Himalayan Rotation
(6/2006) The Rural Himalayan Rotation greatly enhanced my decision to attend medical school and only strengthened my application. Since returning home I have been accepted into Bastyr University for Naturopathic medicine just outside of Seattle, WA. The internship incorporated rotations through various medical specialties, including allopathic physicians in large government and small private hospitals, a homeopath, several ayurvedic physicians, an OBGYN, pediatrician, and numerous cardiologists. For one week I lived in an ashram with a focus solely on naturopathic medicine. I attended lectures and practicals on reiki, acupressure and yoga. I was fortunate to have witnessed Indian healthcare in all demographics, from the private and public urban hospitals to a small rural clinic, deep in the Himalayas. I usually worked in the clinics 6-7 hours a day, but often put in 16+ hour days with commuting and simply living. I spent every possible moment absorbing culture, customs, colors, and nuances for my own personal growth and understanding.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of my internship is gaining a new perspective on my home country and culture, and appreciating all the resources we have available here. I am now able to critically observe my own country and compare it in all regards (resources available, political differences, different healthcare systems, etc.) to a less-developed nation. Once returning home I was surprised at the ingratitude, disrespect, and presumption of people who really have a lot. I also understand this attitude is the one which pushes for a constant pursuit of improvement and a refusal to accept status quo, the result being a life more comfortable and convenient than one in a developing nation. I came to appreciate spirituality having a place in healing, a concept new to me and not generally stressed in Western medicine.

KENYA
Cindy Schneider, Nairobi (1997)
Hello! Here's an update on me. I have lived in Australia since 2000. I am a dual national, Australian/American. I am now pursuing a PhD in Linguistics at the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales. My Global Graduates internship was directly applicable to the work that I am doing now. During the internship, I was working on a dictionary project, and for my PhD, I am writing a grammatical description and a bilingual dictionary for Apma, a language of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu (South Pacific). The dictionary-making skills that I acquired during my time in Nairobi in 1997 are standing me in good stead for the current project. One significant benefit of the work experience gained in Nairobi was that I learned how to use special software that is used for writing dictionaries. I am still using that software now. This might sound like a minor trifle, but it's actually saved me from going through a huge learning curve during my PhD.

MEXICO
Heidi Freshour, Morelia (2005)
BANCO de Medicamentos and MESE
(11/23/05) The internship has helped me tremendously. I thought that my Spanish was pretty good, but when I got Morelia, I realized how much I needed to learn. The internship not only supplemented my Spanish greatly, but also gave me a direct connection in speaking with patients at Silverton Hospital (my current job) who are from the Michoacan area. I use the same dialect and slang words as much as possible to make patients feel more comfortable. Yesterday, I ran into a family who spoke Spanish and they didn't know where to go to be admitted into the hospital. I use my Spanish everyday and throughout most of the day. I wouldn't have been able to get the job I have now if it wasn't for the internship.

While working at the hospital I have observed the great need for Spanish interpretation and bilingual nurses. Spanish interpreters get hung up in surgery or are overwhelmed with patients. At times it is difficult for them to help everyone. Although I am not allowed to talk to patients about medical issues in the hospital, I have a good background in medical terminology in Spanish as well. I know that if I have the opportunity of becoming a nurse, my Spanish will go a long way!

Teppei Hayashi, ITESM/Queretaro, Mexico (2002)
(6/30/2006) Teppei spent three months as an intern at the office of Programas Internacionales, at the Tec de Monterrey Queretaro Campus in the fall of 2002. He worked mainly with the International Student Coordinator in the office, but also supported the director of the office as well as the Spanish teachers for international students. Upon returning to OSU at the beginning of 2003, he finished his B.A.s in Spanish and French, and earned the International Degree. In the fall of 2003, he returned to Tokyo, Japan. He then had an opportunity to work as the Program Associate of Oregon University System’s Japan program at Waseda University. He was in charge of over 35 students and their host families. Teppei returned to the US in the summer of 2006 to start his graduate studies. He will be working toward a Master of Science in Education, in Intercultural Communication, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is hoping to work in the field of Intercultural Consulting/Training upon completing his degree.

Adrianne Galvez, Guadalajara (1999)
After completing her teaching internship at Francis Bacon bilingual school, Adrienne returned to OSU to complete her undergraduate degree in 2001. She worked as a Bilingual Instructional Assistant in the Salem-Keizer School District for a few years and then decided to return to OSU for graduate school. This summer (2004) she has completed her Masters of Education and Oregon Teaching Licensure requirements. She began work as an ELL (English Language Learner) Specialist at Tualatin Elementary School in August. Adrianne is still in regular contact with her host family in Guadalajara, and had the opportunity to visit with the oldest daughter who came up to a school in Eugene as an exchange student in April.

Katie Jo Keppinger, Guadalajara (1999)
I did my internship in early 1999 in Guadalajara, Mexico. I volunteered for the Instituto de Derecho Ambiental (IDEA), a self-arranged internship through Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (E-LAW) in Eugene, Oregon. It was a truly unique and wonderful experience working with IDEA, I learned so much there and spent time with some really inspiring people. After I returned to the United States, I worked as a program assistant for two years for the non-profit organization Pesticide Action Network North America in San Francisco, California. I had the opportunity to sometimes work with Mexican activists whom I'd met while working with IDEA. That too was an excellent experience. I continued to stay in touch with the women who hosted me in their home in Guadalajara, and with IDEA"s president. I returned to my home state of Oregon to attend law school at the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark Colllege in Portland, and just graduated (in May).. My internship through Global Graduates (IE3)was a large part of what inspired me to go to law school to study environmental law. I am still very interested in environmental issue but now I just have to study for the bar exam this summer! After the bar exam, I will be working for a short time under a grant from the Oregon Law Foundation for Legal Aid Services of Oregon. My project there is geared toward serving Spanish-speaking communities. I do not know in what direction my legal path will take me, but public interest work still calls me, and I will do what I can to remain in that line of work.

NAMIBIA
Michelle Bacon, Cheetah Conservation Fund (2004)
I graduated from Oregon State University in June and sold or moved all my stuff back home to Kingston, Ontario. Now I"m here for about a month, doing maid of honour duties for one of my friends who is getting married in August, and preparing for my next adventure, which will be to go to Hawaii for 4 monthes. I have a "job" (I use quotation marks becuase I dont get paid but I do get flight, housing and food) in Halealaka National park on the island of Maui, working with their endangered species protection program; mostly I'll be doing management of the predators of the native birds, ie, the feral cats, rats and mongooses that have been introduced to the island. I'm really excited as I've never been to Hawaii and I think it will be a great experience.

Philip Randle, Cheetah Conservation Fund (2005)
After completing his studies at the University of Oregon, Philip has been hired on as a staff member at CCF in Namibia. “I'm thrilled to have made a contribution to CCF and its work to save the cheetah as an intern. Now, as a staff member, I can continue my research projects and play a bigger role and have more responsibilities. It is definitely a dream come true, to not only work with big cats in such a hands-on atmosphere, but also to work in their natural habitat and to work with different cultures and peoples." (December, 2005).

PERU
Cortnie Shupe, Ayacucho (2004), Ludwigsburg, Germany (2003)
After completing her internship at Trainingspunkt in Ludwgisburg, Germany, Cortnie studied in Spain and returned to the UO. At the beginning of her senior year, she completed a second internship working with women's microfinance in Ayacucho, Peru. Cortnie was just awarded both a Fulbright and a DAAD grant for a master's program in Germany focused on international development work. She will start that program in the fall of 2005.

SENEGAL
Cody Donahue, Tostan, Senegal (2004)
(6/19/2006) I recently returned from a year-long stay in Conakry, Guinea working with Tostan, my IE3 internship employers. Tostan's program opened in Guinea in 2002, and activities started in 2004 financed by USAID. I was based in the Conakry office, in charge of partnerships, external relations, and proposal/report writing. It was a wonderful year full of challenges allowing for greater development as a professional and as a person. This summer, I'm continuing to work for Tostan in the United States as a part-time partnership development coordinator and assistant to the Tostan DC office. This fall, I will be moving to Brattleboro, Vermont, to attend School for International Training's (SIT) Master of Arts program in Sustainable Development with a concentration on non-profit management. This two year program trains students to be active and effective development professionals, and focuses on experience-based learning to achieve learners' goals. Currently, I don't have any firm plans after graduate school. I'm just trying to focus on the present for now.

TANZANIA
Ryoko Takahashi, Arusha (2003)
Having been inspired by my internship experience in Tanzania, my plan afterwards was to gain public health experience for a couple of years, go to medical school, be fluent in Kiswahili, then go back to Tanzania as a doctor. I'm currently working in health care as a Multicultural Capacity Coordinator in Eugene. Part of my responsibility is to ensure an environment that supports and protects everyone's right to access to health care. I'm also responsible for developing and promoting diversity, equality and cultural inclusiveness within our organization and our communities. What I do is exactly what I want to do in the future on the international level. I can't be happier about where I am now.

THAILAND
Megumi Nishizawa, Phonsawan Child Development Center, Chiang Mai (2004/2005)
I am very happy to let you know that I was accepted for the Volunteer Coordinator/Capacity Builder position for the International Rescue Committee San Fransiscooffice! It is one of the leading international organizations for global refugee resettlement programs. I will be placed in Sacramento under the supervision of the IRC SF Office and will begin my duty on the 12th of August (2005) after the completion of my training in D.C. at the end of July. I truly believe that my internship in Thailand through OUS has led to me this exciting opportunity, and I again thank you guys for what your organization provides to many students, and has given to me. Thank you, and I plan to continue following up with OUS's good work and hope to drop a line often to keep in touch.

We want to hear from you!

Send us an email with your update and we'll post it to the alumni update section. Please let us know if you would like to have your email address posted so that other alumni can contact you.

updated August 16, 2005