From brushing shoulders with congressmen and lobbyists to working with homeless people and at-risk youth, students spending the fall semester at the Washington Community Scholars’ Center bring home a range of experiences to the Nelson Good House each night.
For Samantha Ferrier, who commutes to work by bike, that 30 minutes is a time when she can mull over new relationships she’s built at N Street Village, a day center for homeless women. Others working near Capitol Hill take the Metro from Capitol South or Eastern Market stations —journeys that provide a unique perspective of metropolitan daily life in the nation’s most important cities.
Allan Aloo, who is working at the Smithsonian Institute, says he’s “extremely happy” with his choice of cross-cultural because of the blend of personal exploration and work experience. “You don’t only gain work experience in the internship, but you have an incredible faculty pushing you to succeed … If anyone is looking for a cross cultural that will challenge and push them to their career goals, WCSC is the right choice.”
This semester’s participants are studying in diverse fields, including computer science, peacebuilding and development, nursing, political science, public relations, history and social work.
In addition to their internship, students experience community living in an urban culture. A weekly seminar class focuses on social problems, faith issues and urban experiences.
“These internships and students, as impressive as they are, are actually quite typical of our WCSC semesters in Washington DC,” says WCSC Director Kimberly Schmidt, professor of history. “We usually have a range of majors, international experience and internships. The experiences and perspectives our students bring makes for great discussions and lively semesters.”
Here are fall 2016 WCSC participants, including more about their majors and internships:
- Allan Aloo, a computer science major from Richmond, Virginia, is working in Smithsonian Institute’s Office of the Chief Information Officer. This office manages computer facilities, equipment, web infrastructure and networks of participating museums and research institutes. In addition to networking opportunities with professionals, Aloo says the internship has helped him gain “knowledge and experience in the different types of operating systems in the IT world. I have configured and maintained windows servers, and programmed web application using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. I have also taken part in documentation for IT operations in the organization.”
- Claire Clay is in the office of the press secretary of Congressman Jim Jordan. She is a public relations major at Bluffton University from Van Wert, Ohio. Jordan represents a district near Clay’s hometown, which she says brings political issues into a different perspective. Clay says she can feel a big change in her openness to new ideas and to learning, and her willingness to try new experiences. She says: “I find myself wanting to learn more and finding ways to do it, not just saying that I want to learn. I’m really glad I decided to apply and attend this cross-cultural because it’s such a different type of learning that I wouldn’t get from any of my university’s other experiences. I think it will help me learn and grow personally, professionally and spiritually.”
- Connor Faint, a nursing major from Winchester, Virginia, is with Community of Hope, a nonprofit organization that is one of WCSC’s longest-running placements. Faint is working in a clinic, doing everything from taking vitals to providing flu shots, “a jump-start into the nursing program at EMU,” he says.
Jemma Hedrick spends some time on the river during her internship with the Anacostia Watershed Society. (Courtesy photo)
- Danika Saucedo Salas is at The Family Place, which provides educational and support services for Latino families with young children. She is a social work major from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. She works with a staff of educators and social workers, and utilizes her native Spanish in daily interactions.
- Jemma Hedrick is working with Anacostia Watershed Society in a quaint historic two-story building near the river’s edge in Bladensburg, Maryland. She is a peacebuilding and development major from Harrisonburg, Virginia. The mission of AWS is to create community around the Anacostia River with the goal of “a swimmable and fishable river by 2025.” She helps with community outreach as well as the editing of position statements.
- Joseph Wenger, a social work major from Simpsonville, South Carolina, is at Anchor Mental Health Services, where he has his own caseload and weekly appointments. “While meeting with the clients, I go over their Individual Responsibility Plans, known as IRPs, which is basically a crisis plan,” he says. “I help them schedule appointments with their psychiatrist, as well as providing resources to them to help with housing and job applications.”
- Luis Longo works with Capital Area Food Bank and a partnership program called the Joyful Food Market. He is a history major from Bristow, Virginia. The program, in conjunction with Martha’s Table, brings fruits and vegetables into “pop-up markets” at elementary schools and community centers east of the Anacostia River.
- Manpreet Singh, a political science major at Regis University from Aurora, Colorado, is interning with Jubilee USA Network, an organization that focuses on domestic and international debt relief to make the economy fair for the most vulnerable. She has attended a meeting at the White House on the Syrian refugee crisis, as well as World Bank and International Monetary Fund civil society organization meetings. He also drafts social media content. [Read about EMU’s connection to Jubilee USA Network and social activist Shane Claiborne.]
- Michael Schroeder works with Community of Hope in housing and employment. He is a social work major from Sterling, Virginia. He serves with three teams: employment, prevention and housing. “Each team impacts homeless and low income families in the district,” he says. “Seeing both sides of the city, the elite and the poor, puts things into perspective and helps me understand systemic issues my community faces.”
- Paige DeBell works with Little Friends for Peace, providing nonviolence education to at-risk youth, homeless populations and inmates. She is a social work major from Studley, Virginia.
- Samantha Ferrier is based at N Street Village, a day center that provides programming for women experiencing homelessness. She is a social work major from Sellersville, Pa.
- Shon Burell, a social work major from Reva, Virginia, works with Samaritan Inns in homelessness and addiction services.
- Wael Gamtessa, a computer engineering and digital media major from Olney, Maryland, is with Community IT, among long-standing partner of WCSC which provides IT services to non-profits. Several EMU alumni work at the company or have gotten their start in IT careers at internships there. “It’s an amazing experience being an intern in one of the greatest cities in the world while indulging in the culture, learning its history and at the same time gaining experience that will help you in your future endeavors.”
- Zoe Parakuo works with Mennonite Central Committee’s Washington Office in the domestic policy department, mainly focusing on issues related to immigration, human trafficking and the environment. A highlight has been “going to hearings on Capitol Hill, frequently meeting and interacting with congressmen and senators.” She is a peacebuilding and development major from Harrisonburg, Va.