Spring term: A student summary
Tackling internships, studying abroad and post-grad plans: a lot can happen in four weeks
Students in ENGL/REL-387 hike in Ireland. Photo courtesy of Mary North Jones, ’21.
May 8, 2019
Though spring term only lasts for four weeks, Washington and Lee students manage to do incredible things, from studying abroad to tackling a full-time internship to making post-graduation plans.
From the shores of western Ireland…
Mary North Jones, ‘21, is spending her spring term studying abroad in Dingle Town on the Dingle Peninsula in southwestern Ireland. The course, “Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland,” is cross-listed between the English and religion departments. At the intersection of early Christian spirituality and modern western Irish literature, Jones said she feels more personally connected to her studies.
“The most important thing I’ve learned so far is the degree to which Irish culture today is connected to literary and spiritual traditions of the past,” Jones said in an email. “Being abroad for spring term has allowed me to approach my studies in a deeper… way.”
Alexandra Brown, Fletcher Otey Thomas professor in Bible, and Marc Connor, provost and Jo M. and James Ballengee professor of English, partner to teach the course. Students are required to take a three-credit class in winter term before embarking on their trip to Ireland in the spring.
Students live in groups of ve in cottages on the edge of Dingleand travel together. One day, the class hiked the second highest peak in Ireland.
“We take a lot of field trips to places of literary or spiritual significance,” Jones said. “Today, we’re traveling around to various holy wells on the peninsula.”
The best part of her spring term abroad? “The opportunity to read Irish literature in Ireland,” Jones said. “And… the Atlantic Ocean is always close by.”
To the United States Capitol…
Sixteen students will extend their spring term from four weeks to six while juggling homework, reading and full time internships in Washington D.C.
Brian Alexander, assistant professor of politics, is teaching thecourse for this rst time. William Connelly, John K. Boardman, Jr.professor of politics, created the course and led interns to the Capitol for the past 30 years.
Students in Washington Term attend class and hear from speakers one day per week and work at their interships another four. The current intern cohort can be found in House and Senate member offices, on Republican and Democratic committee staffs, at government relations organizations and think tanks and a national news organization.
To all across the world!
Eight seniors have been awarded Fulbright grants that allow them to begin their post-undergraduate careers abroad.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program competitively awards grants to students each year for English teaching assistant programs or research projects in one of its partner countries.
Washington and Lee students will be spending their first monthsas alumni in Morocco, Tanzania, Vienna, Spain, Germany and India.Reid Gaede, ‘19, who will spend nine months as an Englishteaching assistant in Gemany, said he is excited to learn more about the intersection of German and U.S. culture and to serve as a cultural ambassador for the U.S.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be chosen to exemplify and grow the positive connection between our two countries,” Gaede said in an email. “I am… more excited about all I will learn through my students and other Germans I meet.”
Andrew Agrippina, ‘19, is one of two students who will be an English teaching assistant in Spain through the Fulbright program. He will teach elementary school classes about American culture andthe English language in La Rioja. He is looking forward to the opportunities for immersion.
“I look forward to gaining a deeper and broadened global perspective,” Agrippina said in an email. “I am most excited… to fully immerse myself in a different language and culture.”
Kalady Osowski, ‘19, received a Fulbright-Nehru Open Study/ Research award, while will allow her to live in Delhi while studying small-scale cultural heritage looting operations in the Golden Triangle of India. She recognizes that the Fulbright grant is a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“As a Fulbright recipient… I’ve been given the opportunity and support to follow my curiosity to the ends of the earth,” Osowski said in an email.
Fulbright recipients Reid Gaede, Andrew Aggripina and Kalady Osowski. Photos courtesy of Washington and Lee University.
