Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I will be assisting Four Oaks with the Holistic Works pilot, an innovative service-delivery model designed to foster long-term stability in the lives of at-risk youth in Iowa. Four Oaks is one of Iowa’s largest non-profit social service agencies dedicated to child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health. Children come to Four Oaks from a variety of circumstances and often with a variety of risk-factors, including but not limited to basic needs deficits, family conflicts, academic failure, and emotional trauma. Continuing cuts in state and federal budgets challenge agencies like Four Oaks to produce lasting results. The Holistic Works model takes a comprehensive approach to such limitations by committing to clients for the duration of their childhood years.

Los Angelos, CA

JOSE AVILES ’13
Major: Dance and Women's Studies
Program: University of Southern California (USC) LGBT Resource Center; Los Angelos, CA
Reflection Essay:

Through this internship experience I hope to continue the mental challenge that has been raised in my independent study. I hope to serve as an outlet for the people who will be participating in the project. I also intent to create a dance piece that will highlight reoccurring themes in the queer narrative and use this process to then create a movement workshop on how to “queer up the stage.” My site supervisor is as excited as I am and he will be overseeing my research process while posing questions that will allow furthering developing of my ideas. He will also be guiding me through the resources that both the LGBT Resource Center and the university (USC) have to offer.

Siaya, Kenya

HANNAH JOHNSON ’12
Major: Latin and Biomedical Studies
Program: Rwamba Health Center, Sumba Dispensary, and Bama Hospital; Siaya, Kenya
Reflection Essay:

While I am in Kenya, I will be working at three different medical facilities: Rwamba Health Center in Usonga, Kenya (where I will be supervised by Mary Chevahoo, RN); Sumba Dispensary in Usonga, Kenya (where I will be supervised by Rafael Letipo, RN); and Bama Hospital in Siaya, Kenya (where I will be supervised by Dr. Ochanda Amos). My supervisors at these sites will instruct me in any procedures with which I need to be familiar, and will oversee all of my interactions with patients. At these facilities, I will be involved in the treatment of malaria, AIDS medication management, education, and treatment, assisting on minor surgical procedures, starting and removing IVs, taking vitals, administration of immunizations, cleaning
and dressing wounds, assisting in the delivery of babies, patient check-ups, treatment of various infections and control of spread, basic emergency care, family planning, and diagnosis, treatment, and labs for tuberculosis.

Granada, Nicaragua

ANNE BROOKER ’13
Major: Psychology
Program: Opportunity International; Granada, Nicaragua
Reflection Essay:

Ghana

In my academic internship with Global Mamas I will contribute to the work of a non-profit organization which creates social justice in individual women’s lives in Ghana. Microfinance is an effective practice for providing women the possibility to work for their own economic empowerment. Women’s health, education, and treatment are remarkably affected by their economic positions in their communities. When women have full or partial economic independence, or even a small income, they gain importance in families and communities. In many cases this allows women to make important decisions about their own and their children’s lives. When a woman receives a loan for a business she becomes an entrepreneur.

Portland, Oregon

I expect to gain essential community organizing experience while interning with MACG.  This internship is a unique chance for me to uncover the complex realities of community organizing.  I hope to learn the ins and outs of organizing, such as how new issues are targeted for action, and how one-on-ones with potential community partners are conducted to expand an issue’s base of support.  I will be able to compare my experience to the historical strategies I studied in “Ideals to Action,” as well as my direct experiences with social change work in Minnesota.

Uganda

Zambia

After listening to a lecture from Dr. Alex Ross, UN Reform Director of the World Health Organization during my stay in Geneva, Switzerland, I spoke to him of my interest in public health and medicine. He listened to my concerns of what will happen in the future of the public health arena, and he responded to me, “We have the tools, but it is simply a matter of applying them properly.” I want to be out in the field and actively implementing the necessary changes, regardless of how menial or insignificant my efforts may seem at the time. Through the medical home based care and community outreach volunteer program in Livingstone, Zambia, I will be able to learn more about the practical issues and potential solutions for closing healthcare disparities and actualizing adequate global health.

NICHOLAS KANG ’12
Major: Biology & CIS
Program: The School for Social Entrepreneurs; London, England

Each year, two St. Olaf College students are selected to take part in an internship at the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) in London, England. As part of an Academic Learning Plan, the internees, Matt Gallagher and Nicholas Kang blogged about their experience in London and their work with the SSE...(read more)

NICHOLE ROHLFSEN ’10
Major: Sociology/Anthropology, Women’s Studies Concentration
Program: Namibia Women’s Health Organization

I will be working with Namibia Women’s Health Network- an organization that primarily focuses on mobilizing women who are HIV positive and getting their voices heard in their communities and government. The organization also has youth programs, one of which I will be working directly with my site supervisor. The program is a relatively new program called Youth Economic Empowerment. The objective of the program is to provide short courses for unemployed youth to help them receive training for emp. and boost their means of providing for themselves and their families, along with providing emotional and social support....(read more)

Nepal

Student: Lam Cao ’10
Major: Nursing, Biomedical and Women’s Studies
Program: Experiential Learning International
Mai Auh Gia Trang HIV/AIDS Center

Social injustice is very much present in the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS, especially those living with the disease in rural areas.  There is, however, hope in the fog of discrimination because the government and various local and international organizations are placing educational billboards around the country about the disease with hopes of educating the public and preventing its rapid spread...(read more)