Success with international studies
The experience of study abroad can launch an exciting summer project, internship, or career. Here are a few examples of what SUNDEF XXXVI students have done:
- Anne-Marie Guerrettaz had an internship at the International Bureau of Translations in Indianapolis in summer 2002.
- Kristina Lindquist applied for and received an undergraduate student research grant from the Kellogg Institute for her project, "The Fight is Not Over Yet: French Feminism in 2002." This project allowed her not only to stay on and work in the the archives in Angers during the summer, she also undertook research in Brussels, Antwerp, and Paris.
- Rose Lindgren won second prize in an essay contest sponsored by The Humanist Foundation; and her essay was published in the July/August 2002 issue of The Humanist.
- Chip Marks, Elizabeth Kearns, Catie McCracken and Katie Taft worked as interns in a variety of governmental and non-profit agencies in Washington D.C. in summer 2002.
- Juan Diego Vargas received a prestigious internship and scholarship from Morgan Stanley. In summer 2003 find Juan will be an intern in New York, preparing for a career in international finance.
Volunteer activities
- One of the best ways to get to know a foreign city and its people is through service work. Here are some examples of what can be done, and has been done, in Angrers.
- L'Ecole St Laud: A team of SUNDEF students regularly join forces wiith parents and teachers of the maternel and école primaire sections of L'Ecole St Laud in Angers to teach English to children ages 5-10. They typically put in 2-3 hours a week in preparation and teaching, and often stay over the noon hours to enjoy a tasty French meal at la cantine with faculty and children. We honor these hard-working students for their commitment to teaching: in SUNDEF XXXVII: Sabrina Badger, Erin Hughes, Soquel Harding, Stephanie Vieron, Naïma Joseph, Katie Stewart, Lindsay Zika, Adrian Torres, Joe Dickmann, Liong Zhu Jun, Marco Sandusky, Meryl Guyer, Heather Shull, Liz Mac Corry, Rebecca Habenicht, and Lisa Danzig. And SUNDEF XXXVI: Lauren Chamblee, Rose Lindgren, Kristina Lindquist, Amy Scheck, Katie Taft, and Alexandra Torres.
- La Bibliothèque Américaine. This library, stocked with American books and videos, but staffed by French people and serving an almost exclusively French clientele, is a wonderful place to meet people. In SUNDEF XXXVI, Anne-Marie Guerrettaz enjoyed reading to French children during weekly Children's Hours, and other students participated in Franco-English conversation tables, including Chip Marks, Kelly Faehnle, and Abby Stahl. The library has launched even more programs this year; and many of our students are involved. Further news will be forthcoming.
- Internships. The best way to find one of these nonpaid entrees into French professional life is simple: ask! Two students did so in 2001-02, and found the experience immensely enriching. They are: Chip Marks, who did an internship at the Manoir de Versillé and learned about wine-making; and Caitlin Blazic, who did an internship at the Clinique Vétérinaire des Plantes to find out more about French veterinary medicine.
The Michelle Murphy Award
Michelle Murphy, a participant in SUNDEF XVI, was killed with her sister in an automobile accident in 1983. The Notre Dame & Saint Mary's students who knew her in France thought it appropriate to establish an award in her memory. Here is a description of the award, written by Fr. Gorski and members of SUNDEF XVI: "Michelle was an extremely caring person who let her great love flow through and around all those who came into contact with her. She had a unique gift of making others know that they were each very special and important to her. She was a great listener whose unassuming self- confidence was a deep source of strength to her friends. Michelle was inspired by a great desire to know and to love God. She was a remarkably profound person who actively sought God in prayer, in work, and in her sincere dedication to spreading his love. She was humble in her faith and generous in her love, always putting others ahead of herself and never insisting that they see the goodness in her. Michelle was truly a precious gift to all of us.
We, the students of SUNDEF XVI, with the generous aid of former SUNDEF students, have established this memorial award in an effort to express what Michelle meant to us, to preserve her memory, and to thank this very special and beautiful person for all that she has given us. We hope that this memory may live to inspire all of us who strive to be loving people, faithful Christians, and devoted friends. In our eyes, Michelle was all of these and more.
With this aim in mind, we ask that this award be given yearly to a SUNDEF student who exemplifies the qualities which Michelle possessed. We ask that you look in all your fellow students and friends for these much appreciated but seldom acknowledged traits, and that each of you nominate a student whom you feel represents these traits. We hope that you will reflect on your choice and consider it carefully, so that in giving this award in Michelle's name, we may do her honor."
Rev. Eugene Gorski, C.S.C. , DirectorIn May 2002, SUNDEF XXXVI honored Abby Stahl as recipient of the Michelle Murphy award.