The Program for Education in Global Stewardship 

Global Internships

Global Interns report on their 2003 summer experiences

Five W&L students spent eight-weeks this summer participating in a full-time, international internship experience that each sought out and proposed in relation to his or her global interests.  Beth Creasy worked with Dr. Juan Aguirre to develop a marketing profile for consumers of organic produce in Costa Rica.  Adrienne Fleurke assisted a medical missionary team in Bolivia .  In London Aniesa Bosch offered advice on children’s texts about the Middle-East for Stacey International Publishing.  Patrick Hastings conducted research while employed at the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore in Paris .   And Dun Grover taught English and Science in Ghana.  Check out their stories below and also see Global Internships for application details

Beth Creasey…

I spent the whole summer studying. But before you feel too sorry for me, I spent the summer studying in Costa Rica .

Thanks to the help of a grant from the Global Stewardship Program, I was able to spend 8-weeks in Costa Rica , interviewing organic produce consumers, visiting the various markets, and conducting traditional research into the organic foods market. Working with Dr. Juan Aguirre, from the School for Field Studies, we produced a survey for consumer research which has already been used in multiple other surveys of organic consumers throughout Central America .

Dr. Aguirre and I were able to accomplish some amazing research goals over the summer, but my experience was much more than an academic exercise. My trip to Costa Rica was an amazing experience which gave me an entirely new perspective on the way I live my life in the States. I was able to travel freely, improve my Spanish, and I even had plenty of time to take in the amazing diversity of natural resources with which Costa Rica has been blessed. I was able to see an active volcano, hike through pristine rainforest preserves, and when it wasn’t raining, I was even able to spend some time on the sands of the renowned Costa Rican beaches.

Because of my close relationship with Dr. Kahn, and the generous assistance of the Global Stewardship Program, I was able to combine travel with an area of research in which I am actively involved. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a unique program made possible by the exceptional aspects of Washington and Lee University .

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Dun Grover…

Through a program called Global Routes, I spent ten weeks in a rural village along with a fellow intern, Ravi Gupta, living with a host family and immersing myself in the daily life and culture of the village.  The people of Adidwan welcomed and embraced us with everything they could, whether it was fruit or just friendly conversation and laughter.  It would be difficult, and disrespectful, not to greet everyone you passed while walking down the street. The character and spirit of these people in the face of their daily struggles both awed and inspired me.

 I taught English and Science in the upper levels of the primary school, which oftentimes was frustrating because of the language barrier and learning environment.  Few students would continue education after secondary level, many would drop out in the primary to be an asset on the farm, and most would remain in the village for the rest of their lives.  However, the relentless curiosity of both the students and teachers made every moment rewarding and worthwhile.  I also enjoyed playing soccer with the students and ended up helping to sponsor and coach the primary school team, although they were much better athletes and players.

 As a secondary project, Ravi and I raised money, with some help from the Mampong District Assembly, to complete the unfinished primary school and building a community library, providing essential resources previously unavailable.  At the end of our stay, the village held a celebration to dedicate the school and honor us with the titles of ‘Nana’. My internship in Ghana provided me with the greatest and most rewarding learning experience of my life, and I challenge other students to take full advantage of the opportunities provided at Washington and Lee in accomplishing similar pursuits.

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Aniesa Bosch…  

The Global Stewardship Scholarship enabled me to combine two personal interests: publishing and the promotion of multi-cultural understanding.  As an intern, I delved deeply into the research, editing, and marketing aspects of the publishing world.  I combined my work experience with extensive travel on the weekends.  Besides domestic trips to go boating at the stunningly beautiful Lake District, savor crumpets and clotted cream in Devon, comb the rocky shores of Cornwall, and act as a theater and stand-up comedy critic at Edinburgh's famous August Fringe Festival, I also traveled internationally.  My forays to Prague , Barcelona , Venice , Vienna , and Budapest tested my self-reliance, crisis management, and cultural adaptability.  I loved every minute of it.

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Adrienne Fleurke ...

I can’t thank you enough for enabling me to learn, experience, and serve Southeastern Bolivia . My medical service internship in and around San Ignacio gave me the opportunity to better understand myself, my culture, and our God. It was a privilege to see how different cultures, languages, and personalities can unite and even thrive.

 Living and traveling in and around the Santa Cruz lowlands gave me first-hand experience with many medical mission activities. My goal was to work with different local families and mission-organized health programs in the area and then develop ways to promote good health and improve their nutrition habits. I observed and assisted doctors and nurses in city and rural hospitals. I even helped alongside a doctor, providing urgent care for various nomadic Indian tribes in the region. One of my favorite activities was volunteering at the local nutrition center. This facility provided food, medicine, and care for malnourished children 3 years old and younger at the cost of 1 Boliviano per child per day (~7.7 Bolivianos = $1). Since the hospital is poorly staffed and needs volunteers to run the program, I encouraged local young adults to volunteer with me. I also worked daily with local families to improve their own children’s health habits. From my relationships with southeastern Bolivians, I designed dental care, nutrition, and hygiene seminars in Spanish, tailored to fit their needs. I taught the first class before I left and the permanent mission staff continued the remaining sessions. These workshops were the start of a new health education ministry in San Ignacio.

 A quote that epitomizes my Bolivian Summer is: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be figured out.” With this attitude, I look ahead to my junior year. I’m excited to see how the God I experienced in Bolivia will continue to shape my values and guide me in the decisions I make. After spending time with the San Ignacio community, I am compelled to share what I have been given, the experiences I have had, and my passion for improving health and nutrition.

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Patrick Hastings....

My Global Stewardship Grant allowed me to live and work at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore on the Left Bank of Paris , France .  My eleven weeks of work in the shop consisted of organizing a literary festival, managing the night shift from 8 to midnight, tracking revenue figures, submitting book orders, and the countless other odd-jobs that arise on a daily basis in a truly bohemian establishment.

Also contributing to my unique experience, I lived in the third floor apartment above the shop with the 90 year old man who opened the bookstore in 1951, George Whitman.  I spent much of my free time reading through his archives and compiling a history of the shop.  I learned about how Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Ezra Pound, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Borroughs, and other important literary figures of both the Lost and Beat Generations spent considerable time at Shakespeare and Company.  I am currently using my research in the writing of an independent study for the English Department here at Washington and Lee.

During my time in Paris , I developed many remarkable friendships and have kept in touch with many of these people who remain in Europe .  Among these friends I count Mr. Whitman, from whom I learned the value of giving

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