Veronica Bargnesi
BA International Studies; minor, Spanish Language, Literature, Culture; minor, Applied Statistics ‘24
Internship with The Quito Project
“I am very interested in contemporary refugee and migration crises and exploring ways to combat these as a potential career path. This does not seem like it could be related to a project involving a children’s summer camp, but when I paired it with what I have learned thus far in my international studies classes at Michigan, I found that the two are very much interconnected. I have conducted multiple research projects involving refugee and migration crises with my international studies peers, and in my most recent one, I learned that much of the world’s forced migration stems from systemic poverty or issues within the countries themselves. This can also be traced back to education systems, since stronger education systems demonstrate to children that they truly can make a successful impact on the world and equip them with the skills necessary to do so, thus diminishing the need for many to flee their own countries. That is the precise focus of the Quito Project: investigating Ecuador’s education system and trying to strengthen it to the point of demonstrating this impact, hence the “footprint” name. I can participate in as many research projects as I want, but nothing can truly teach me about education systems in developing countries as well as experiencing one firsthand. Working directly in the field I hope to work in one day solidified my passion for this area and allowed me to become close with the people whose lives are affected by it.
As I mentioned, we (tutors from Michigan) were guided by local college students in Ecuador, but we also had the company of each other: students with similar interests and values. I think a study or internship abroad experience is important for connections not only for the time spent abroad but also for future endeavors. For example, back home in Ann Arbor, I am now a part of a small community of similarly-interested people whom I could always contact for support. In any international area of study, I believe it is also undoubtedly important to have connections in different countries, which I think my peers and I started building this summer. We met professors from both UofM and USFQ in Quito, along with the aforementioned college-aged tutors with whom we became friends. I believe these connections are what give more value to the experiences and information absorbed abroad.
Overall, PICS funding allowed me to truly experience what international studies can be. It not only solidified my passion for this area of study, but it also opened doors to new connections and showed me unique ways to link my interests to each other. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to take a big step in my international studies path, and I will definitely take what I learned with me during the rest of my time at Michigan and beyond.”
Tamara Bingham
BA International Studies; BA History ‘22
Research project on Ilocano communities and culture in the Philippines
“Special thanks to PICS for funding this experience, I can say it has shaped my path in learning Ilokano as another language; this experience has also impacted my educational goals and my next steps in life, as I plan to pursue community-based immigration work. My next steps for me are not linear, but as a global citizen gaining another experience, I view the world in a unique manner to understand complex layers. My first research experience allowed me to use my skills of learning to have an open mind to changing research and travel plans. Sometimes research plans get interrupted, and that means adapting to something local or more suitable to your region, interest and even safety. Lastly, the importance of personally knowing “Filipino-ness” on an academic level but also a personal level was an impactful part of this experience. I understand that there are connections for me to bridge together as a Filipina-American. One of my goals of being an international student is to always expand my horizons and never stop learning - to be my authentic self is the domino effect of being inspired to make an impact on the world. As a Filipina-American finding my roots abroad, I was able to inspire my family and their community members to dream big and follow their passions. As a result, I also expanded the limited knowledge of myself in which I’m not only Filipina-American but a proud Ilokana with dreams and aspirations to achieve on an international level through community and education engagement. This opportunity was more than just a humbling experience but also an empowering way to close my final chapter as Michigan Wolverine. Thank you again to the PICS Grant committee. FOREVER GO BLUE!”
Akshitha Ginuga
BBA Business Administration ‘25
Internship with The Quito Project
“Prior to this experience, I was not sure what professional path I wanted to pursue after graduation. I know that I will definitely pursue a path that prioritizes international development. I also learned about the importance of hands-on learning. I am extremely privileged to have participated in this program and am excited to continue working with The Quito Project from an administrative perspective while in Ann Arbor. I know that this experience will influence me in my future career as I know of the importance of hands-on work. Oftentimes, it is easy to forget about the human perspective of initiatives especially in a corporate setting. As I pursue my career in international development, I will be sure to seek out organizations that align with my values and emphasize community involvement.”
Madeline Grobelny
BA International Studies; BA Political Science; BA Spanish ‘24
Internship with The Quito Project
“I am beyond grateful that PICS granted me funding to participate in The Quito Project, as it has further advanced my interests in international studies and a career in foreign relations. My favorite part of the Quito Project was the intensive Spanish that went into every aspect of this initiative. I am pursuing a triple major in International Studies, Political Science, and Spanish, with the hopes of integrating a continued Spanish education into a career in foreign policy. My speaking skills have maintained consistent throughout my time in college, however, I have always wanted to travel to a Spanish speaking country to be fully immersed in the language. The Quito Project provided the perfect opportunity for this, as it gave me the ongoing challenge to speak only Spanish for three weeks. Upon my return from Ecuador, I can confidently say that my speaking skills have improved tremendously, and would now consider myself fully proficient in the language. I will continue my Spanish education at University of Michigan and also hope to study abroad to further my Spanish abilities, but I am more than happy that the Quito Project gave me the chance to build an advanced Spanish skill set that I can take with me throughout my international studies journey.”
Ryann Halland
BA International Studies; BA Spanish ‘24
Internship with The Quito Project
“I would like to thank the Program in International and Comparative Studies for allowing me to experience a different culture outside of my own and others within the United States. My first time out of the country was one to remember. I was very captivated by all of the different daily social practices that I noticed and got to participate in. I think it is very important for everyone to be able to ponder how different life is in different parts of the world. There are issues that are very apparent in some parts of the world that are never really thought of in certain parts of the United States. It is imperative to acknowledge and respect many cultural differences. The Quito Project allowed me to learn about another culture while sharing my own when asked. Thank you, PICS, for allowing me to further my academic goals in International Studies through partaking in daily interactions in Ecuador to recognize and begin to solve many common disparities throughout families in Quito. I can now apply what I have learned through this experience to my studies in Spanish and Latin American culture, allowing me to further understand international economical differences.”
Roni Kane
BA International Studies; BA Film, Television, and Media; minor, Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture; minor, Business Administration ‘23
Internship with The Quito Project
“Thanks to the fellowship gifted to me by the Program in International and Comparative Studies, I have now crossed the equator. I have spoken Spanish outside of a classroom for the first time since kindergarten. I have climbed nearly 16,000 feet to the top of a volcano and danced inside of a cloud. I could not be more grateful for the experiences I had this past summer, including my internship with The Quito Project in Ecuador. I have often heard from others who have studied or worked abroad that their command of a second language improved incredibly quickly, but I was surprised in just two weeks how much better my Spanish was by the end. From my first conversation with my cab driver on the way from the airport to the hostel, to my final goodbyes to my students in the classroom, I felt substantially more confident in my communication skills after being immersed in the Spanish language. That is a gift I am forever thankful for receiving.”
Avery Sandstrum
BA International Studies; BA Comparative Literature; minor, Latin American & Caribbean Studies ‘22
Internship with The Quito Project
“Personally, leading the camp this summer was an exciting challenge that drew on all facets of my recently completed U-M degree programs. My International Studies education in tandem with international internships like TQP has given me the vocabulary to be critical and constructive when engaging in any service work or collaborating across borders. I’m proud of the work that The Quito Project does and am even more excited to see how it builds on its mission in the future as they continue to explore the intersection between education and public health equity. Collaborating in Spanish, leading discussions on cultural sensitivity and the limitations of international service learning, and (most importantly), simply having a blast with the students at camp reminded me constantly of my gratitude to LACS, PICS, and the International Institute for all the support they have provided to make those moments of growth and connection within TQP possible.”
