Summer at BMC

Sun-soaked postcards from Bryn Mawr College

August 31, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on A Postcard From: Gizem Aydin ’14

A Postcard From: Gizem Aydin ’14

Gizem Ayim in MoscowName: Gizem Aydin

Class Year: 2014

Major: Economics

What’s happening? We’d love to hear about your internship: I am working in the Office of the Commercial Counselor in the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, Russia. I spend most of my time there by helping with tasks that arise during the day, answering phones once a week (everyone has a day where they answer phones), entering data on spreadsheet documents, and observing what is going on in the office.

We tend to have a lot of guests that come for information or to meet with the commercial counselors. I follow up on weekly e-mails that give information about new economic activities, people who are looking for jobs, companies with different proposal documents. While I am occupied with my internship for most of the day, I try to improve my Russian skills in the remaining time, so I try to be involved in different cultural activities and see new places in Moscow. I’ve been exploring different parks (that is where people socialize and get a break from the hot weather here), keeping in touch with my former host family (from last fall when I studied abroad here), and will soon visit the Moscow Circus. Unfortunately most of the theater performances in Moscow start in September, so I have not been able to go see a play here yet. Nevertheless, it has been a great experience being here.

I am about to start the 7th week of my internship, having moved in to a new apartment earlier this week. My time here has gone pretty fast, and I am looking forward to the following weeks!

How I heard about my internship: I have visited the Commercial Counselor’s Office last fall when I was studying abroad in Moscow.

Why I applied for my internship: I applied this internship to explore my interest in Russia – Turkey relations. I am doing this by working in a government office abroad, which provides me with the opportunity of observing trade activities and learn about a variety of processes in Russia more closely. I am able to observe the working environment in a Turkish ministry office abroad while keeping up with Russian language.

August 30, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on Lauren Footman ’14: Pensby Project Plans

Lauren Footman ’14: Pensby Project Plans

Alexis De La Rosa '15 (left) with fellow intern Lauren Footman '14.

Lauren Footman ’14 (right) with fellow intern Alexis De La Rosa ’15.

My culminating project will be an online exhibit hosted through the Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center website, which will include audio and video excerpts, and photographs. The Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education: “aims to foster scholarship and dialogue on the history of women’s education by providing a digital space that will act as a locus for inquiry and research into these diverse histories.”

The goal of my exhibit will be to tell a narrative of College progress on diversity specifically focusing on the experience of people of Africa and the African Diaspora.

I will be conducting oral histories with faculty, staff, and alumnae across different decades who are interested in sharing their experiences, in order to gather multiple perspectives. I am excited to finally begin my interviewing which will be a great opportunity to hear the personal experiences of community members, and how they feel we can make even greater strides toward diversity. I am very excited about the opportunity to possibly re-interview [distinguished alumna Evelyn Rich, ’54]  with Alexis. So much has occurred since Ms. Rich’s last oral history. After reading through her papers, I feel she can offer even more insight about herself, Bryn Mawr, and the world in general. I am currently waiting on confirmation from some of my prospective participants to begin interviewing.

I was able to identify potential interviewees with the help of my project mentor, Provost Osirim and Cynthia Washington, of the Alumnae Office. Throughout this project they have been able to help brainstorm different ways of gathering information, and suggesting other resources to make this a successful project.

Throughout the summer, Lauren Footman ’15 and Alexis De La Rosa ’14, the inaugural Pensby Center interns, will blog about their research projects. The Pensby Center (formerly The Office of Intercultural Affairs) implements programs and activities that address issues of diversity, power and privilege, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, country of origin, class, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and disability, with a goal of improving the campus climate and enhancing community life at Bryn Mawr College.

August 30, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on Emily Adams ’14: Last Week at The Beat

Emily Adams ’14: Last Week at The Beat

Emily Adams '14Well, it’s my last week at The Beat, and I can’t believe summer is almost over already. It seems like just yesterday I was preparing for my first day in the office. Before they leave, interns are asked to write an editorial note to be published in the magazine, and I think my editorial note is a much better summary of my experience than any blog post could ever be. So, without further ado, here are the last words I will write for The Beat this summer:

As hard as it is to believe, my time with The Beat is already coming to an end, and it’s time to reflect back on the things I’ve learned and experienced this summer. I came to The Beat knowing absolutely nothing about juvenile hall. I had never been inside a juvenile detention facility. I had no idea what kinds of stories I would encounter while working in the office, or what kinds of conversations I would take part in during the workshops.

In the beginning, I felt a bit like a visitor to a foreign country⎯I didn’t speak the language, didn’t know the customs, and could never figure out what to do or say in any given situation. The first time I had to respond to a piece of writing from the workshops, I found myself at a complete loss for words. What could I say to someone whose life was so incredibly different from mine? What could we possibly have in common?

I learned quickly, though. I learned to listen. I learned to ask questions. I learned to look for signs of hope in every piece of writing I read. I came to see every piece as another step in the right direction, as an attempt to communicate with and be a part of the world, rather than rejecting it. Everyone I encountered, whether in person or through their writing, had a story to tell, and I, along with many other interns and volunteers, had been given the privilege of listening to them and sharing them through The Beat.

When I was younger, my parents always used to tell me that all anybody wants in this world is to know that they are heard, that someone is there to listen to them and to appreciate the things they have to say. Everything else is secondary. It’s bad enough to be silenced; it’s even worse to speak and know that no one is listening. We tend to measure our worth by the people who listen to us, take us seriously, and make it clear that they value our opinions and ideas. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to speak and be heard.

That’s why I think things like The Beat are so important. The Beat offers a safe space where youth not only have the opportunity to express their feelings through art and writing, but also receive affirmation that their thoughts are valid, important, and worth listening to. This kind of reassurance can be difficult to attain in today’s world, especially for youth locked up in a place where their opinions carry very little weight. The Beat is about writing, yes, but it’s also about sharing⎯sharing thoughts, feelings, and opinions between people and across generations, unbounded by walls, cities, and even state lines.

I have had the opportunity to read and hear countless stories, many of which will stay with me long after I leave The Beat. I have encountered stories that have brought me to tears, stories that have made me laugh, and stories that have forced me to stop and think about some of the issues that the writers face every day. I have heard some great raps, read some beautiful poetry and, most importantly, gotten the chance to meet many of you and learn about the things that matter most to you. I am very grateful to have had this incredibly rewarding experience, and thank you all so much for sharing your words with me.

August 29, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on Alicia Ramirez ’15: I Am Excited To Share This New Proposal Entitled…

Alicia Ramirez ’15: I Am Excited To Share This New Proposal Entitled…

alicia_ramirezSince I started working at the Doris S. Michaels Literary Agency, I was told that I would get to work on pitch letters once proposals were ready to be sent out. It seemed like such a long time ago but the moment has finally arrived. Pitch letters are sent with a proposal plus sample chapters so that editors can decide if they want to publish it. Lucky for me, I have read and offered feedback on proposals in various stages, and am proud of the final product. Editors have little time on their hands so they need to be mesmerized quickly. Authors and agents work on perfecting proposals for weeks, even months at a time. By the time pitch letters are sent out, it is out of their hands.

Bittersweet. Right?

On that note, these pitch letters are my last assignment before wrapping up my internship. Although I will not be present when the letters get sent out, I am hoping to hear great news. I still cannot believe it’s been three months since I left Bryn Mawr for New York City. It has been a fantastic, life-changing summer at the Doris S. Michaels Literary Agency. I have grown tremendously and am thankful for all the mentorship I have been given.

August 29, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on Lauren Footman ’14: Revisiting Perry House

Lauren Footman ’14: Revisiting Perry House

Alexis De La Rosa '15 (left) with fellow intern Lauren Footman '14.

Lauren Footman ’14 (right) with fellow intern Alexis De La Rosa ’15.

This summer I had the opportunity to revisit Perry House with Alexis. Since Perry House have been offline going on two years I did not know what to expect. In the former library there were some paintings along with other artwork that had been left behind. We did eventually go to the second floor and were able to look in the closets. In one closet we found books to be cataloged as part of the Black Cultural Center. Since our visit they have been taken to Canady to be added to collection currently housed in the Pensby Center. We also saw binders that seemed to have files from the different affinity organizations that once resided in Perry, which is exciting because it means that the College has access to more information to add to the history of Perry House.

I am happy Alexis and I were able to visit Perry House, and able to find more items to add to Black Cultural Center. Even though the house is not currently livable it is great to have as much history as possible in a safe, central location on campus to help preserve the history and experiences of minority students. I think revisiting Perry and finding more items helps to reinforce how integral this home was to the College community, not just to students of color. I think this visit, just like this internship, displays how the experiences of students of color should not be completely isolated from the history of the college, and should be as well-documented as other events and experiences. My hope is that this internship will help reveal and remind the College community of the importance of acknowledging this history.

Throughout the summer, Lauren Footman ’15 and Alexis De La Rosa ’14, the inaugural Pensby Center interns, will blog about their research projects. The Pensby Center (formerly The Office of Intercultural Affairs) implements programs and activities that address issues of diversity, power and privilege, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, country of origin, class, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and disability, with a goal of improving the campus climate and enhancing community life at Bryn Mawr College.

August 28, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on Samone Rowe ’14: Spending the Summer with Special Collections

Samone Rowe ’14: Spending the Summer with Special Collections

Samone RoweWith my final year of college rapidly approaching, I have been thinking immensely about how I would apply my History of Art degree after graduation. Because attending a liberal art college has equipped me with a wide variety of skills, narrowing the list of potential careers is rather arduous. Thank goodness for my position this summer in Bryn Mawr College’s Special Collections, as I have had the opportunity to explore a myriad of job types surrounding the visual arts.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, I devote my time to working in the Arts and Artifacts Collection. This summer, the department is gathering items around campus that once belonged to President M. Carey Thomas and her partner, Mary Garrett, in hopes of creating an exhibit about the Deanery, the women’s residence for many years. They collected an astounding number of precious items for their home—chairs, tables, dressers, prints, vases, lamps, and much more. Working alongside fellow students, both of the undergraduate and graduate levels, has provided me with a great amount of experience handling art and decorative objects. Additionally, we’re responsible for photographing, measuring, and inputting information to be viewed on TriArte, the TriCo’s art database. Our responsibilities, particularly photographing, are exciting and new, and I’m ever-so-grateful for the experience.

My focus shifts on Wednesdays and Thursdays towards digitization, the process of converting information and works into digital formats. Another position of mine is within the Digital Archives to reorganize its expansive collection of alumnae photo albums and scrapbooks. This mostly involves cataloging, crafting custom boxes, and rehousing. My favorite benefit of this position is the ability to explore each of the scrapbooks and discover how Bryn Mawr College has—or hasn’t—changed over the years. Gazing at the personal words, photographs, and Bryn Mawr memorabilia conjures a connection within me to the school that completely lacked at the start of the summer. It’s refreshing to reflect upon how I contribute to the college’s legacy.

I utilize Fridays to complete what is both the most challenging and exciting task entrusted upon me this summer: completing a digital exhibit for the Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education. I spent the earlier half of the summer acquainting myself with the website and easing accessibility for visitors. Currently, I am researching and organizing information regarding lesser-known aspects about the college. An incredible amount of work goes into planning an exhibit, but I find the process enthralling. It implements many of the practical and critical skills I’ve honed at Bryn Mawr and newly acquired this summer. Creating this exhibit, in addition to working within the Digital Collections and Arts and Artifacts, has provided me with amazing insight towards potential library- and archive-related careers following graduation. While I’m sad that this experience is coming to an end, I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned towards my future art historical endeavors.

August 27, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on A Postcard From: Ivy Drexel ’14

A Postcard From: Ivy Drexel ’14

NIvy Drexelame: Ivy Drexel

Class Year: 2014

Major: Linguistics and English

What’s happening? We’d love to hear about how your internship is going: I am learning something new at my internship nearly every second! As part of the Reference team at the National Archives II in College Park, MD, I have the privilege of handling priceless documents from every stage of American history. Through my research I have come across document treasures, by chance, ranging from a Christmas card from President Harry Truman, to the U.S. Navy’s reports on the search for Amelia Earhart’s plane, to William Seward’s resignation letter to President Lincoln, and even census records listing my great-great-grand parents!

This summer I am dealing primarily with U.S. Navy records from WWII. I respond to letters from veterans and researchers who are looking for various action reports, war diaries, and deck logs from naval vessels involved in the war. My research requires me to go into the stacks, which each holds hundreds of rows, thousands of boxes, and millions of documents, and find exactly what our researcher is looking for.

Most days, I also have to opportunity to spend my time out on the research room floor, where people from all over the world come to look through our records. Just last week I spoke with an author from New Mexico, a graduate student from London, and a researcher from Japan. My favorite part of the day is the look of excitement on a researcher’s face when we’ve found exactly what they’ve been looking for!

How I heard about my internship: I independently researched student opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area, and specifically positions in the government.

Why I applied for my internship: In English 250 at Bryn Mawr, I had the opportunity to visit Canaday’s Special Collections for a research and writing project. I was fascinated by the tangible history and literature that was so accessible to me, and was inspired to continue working with such documents on a larger scale. At the National Archives I am able to use my writing and research skills to assist researchers and my office.

August 26, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on A Postcard from: Wei Lu ’15

A Postcard from: Wei Lu ’15

Wei LuName: Wei Lu

Class Year: 2015

Major: History

What’s happening? We’d love to hear how your internship is going: I’m teaching American history at Summerbridge Hong Kong, a non-profit organization aims to help underprivileged secondary school students in Hong Kong to study English, as well as helps them build confidence and learn other life skills. The students are highly motivated but have limited resources. We teachers not only teach them various academic classes, but also teach sports/electives (such as badminton and dance), do different activities with students, and organize special events for students.

How I heard about my internship: Summerbridge Hong Kong is the only overseas branch of Break Through, an American non-profit organization aims to help underprivileged students attend college. I found this internship on Break Through’s website.

Why I applied for my internship: I am an education minor, and I plan to be a teacher, so I want to learn how to teach history and ELLs in real classrooms. By doing this internship, I can actually teach classes and communicate with other teachers. I also want to know how I can know my students better and how to inspire my students. Summerbridge Hong Kong creates an atmosphere that teachers and students are very close since we spend a lot of time together.

August 22, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on Samone Rowe ’14: Digital Exhibits and Special Collections

Samone Rowe ’14: Digital Exhibits and Special Collections

Samone RoweName: Samone Rowe

Class Year: 2014

Major: History of Art

What’s happening? We’d love to hear how your internship is going: This summer, I am working within the College’s Special Collections. My position requires me to wear many different hats. Some days, I assist the Art and Artifacts Collection gather, photograph, and catalog materials for an exhibit on the Deanery, the residence of college founder M. Carey Thomas and her partner, Mary Garrett. We hope to have the exhibit realized in 2015. Other days, I find myself in the college archives, organizing the alumnae scrapbook collection and gazing at the personal histories of past Bryn Mawr students. Throughout the entire summer, I’ve been working on a digital exhibit surrounding student scrapbooks and the college’s history for the Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education. As I have never built an exhibit before–let alone a digital one–the process is new and challenging, but exciting all the same. My time spent with Special Collections these past few months have in valuable, and I’m both fortunate and happy to be learning about the digital and analog aspects of managing an art collection.

How I heard about my internship: I found out about the Special Collections position under the Summer Funding section of the college’s website.

Why I applied for my internship: I applied to work with Special Collections this summer to gain some insight regarding potential art history-related careers to pursue after graduation. Additionally, the opportunity to learn more about this history of the college interested me greatly.

August 22, 2013
by Alyssa Banotai
Comments Off on A Postcard From: Lisa Merrick ’14

A Postcard From: Lisa Merrick ’14

dcps_logoName: Lisa Merrick

Class Year: 2014

Major: Sociology/ Educational Studies Minor

What’s happening? We’d love to hear about your internship: For the rest of the summer, I will be interning in the central office of DC Public Schools. I am working in the Office of Academic Programming and Support, and more specifically in the Department of College and Career Readiness. So far I have gotten the opportunity to hear from Chancellor Henderson herself about the District’s goals for Public Schools to reach by 2017, helped distribute diplomas to a number of Washington High Schools, and have spoken with Deputy Chiefs of other departments in the Central Office.

How I heard about my internship: I came across the Urban Education Leadership Internship Program (UELIP) when searching for various opportunities to work in the field of Education. As an Educational Studies Student, I have been able to observe classrooms and schools in Philadelphia and I was looking for a job or internship where I could learn more about other ways to affect change in the Education sector. I was specifically looking into policy, administration, and educational leadership positions.

Why I applied for my internship: This internship opportunity stood out to me because it offers UELIP associates the chance to participate in mission-critical projects for DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the chance to be on the front lines to see positive changes occuring in an urban school district.