Interning abroad – enriching, enlightening, and expansive

College of Business Administration internships sometimes involve travel abroad, where students gain richly rewarding experiences and broadening perspectives.

International business student becomes
Habitat for Humanity’s first intern in Romania

International business major Betsie Thomasma opened the door for Habitat for Humanity to do something they’d never done before – hire an intern in Beius, Romania.

While in Romania last year for Alternative Spring Break, Thomasma, a Sturgis, Michigan, senior, saw how much the organization needed someone like her to help run things.

“I wanted my intern experience to be different and exciting. I was up for a challenge and adventure and to experience culture shock,” Thomasma said.

With support from Central Michigan University faculty, the Phi Chi Theta coed business fraternity, and the Volunteer Center, Thomasma contacted Habitat for Humanity International and proposed they hire her as a fundraising, communications, and special events intern. They agreed, and Thomasma arrived in Beius in May.

While there, she helped find and select seven families in need of homes, built partnerships and sponsorships with area businesses, planned the International Children’s Day event, and wrote a newsletter for visiting volunteers.

“It was great because I worked with volunteers from Ireland, France, and the Netherlands,” Thomasma said. “When you live abroad like that, it’s amazing how small the world becomes.”

Going above and beyond
to help the Romanian community

Thomasma spent three hours every weeknight playing with children in a nearby orphanage.
“The conditions have improved dramatically since Communism, but still many children are abandoned because families lack the funds to support them. With this, it is hard to find homes for children because most Romanians have their own children and do not look to adopt,” Thomasma said.

Thomasma also realized that her volunteerism went beyond helping children.

“During Communism, citizens were required to farm country lands and build structures on weekends without pay, so they developed negative ideas about this type of work,” Thomasma said. “My devotion to these children showed many of them that volunteering can in fact be a great and rewarding experience.”

Business student interns in London during terrorist attacks

When international business major Sarrah Nohner took an internship in London last summer, she had no idea what a profound effect the experience would have on her.

“It’s important to have an international experience in today’s world because everything is going international, but my experience in London was life-altering in more ways than one,” says Nohner, a junior from Minnesota.

During her 10-week study abroad experience at the American Intercontinental University, Nohner interned four days a week at Rory Peck Trust, a small, nonprofit firm that provides financial compensation to freelance journalists (or their families) who have been injured or killed while working.

Nohner researched various media and organizations and obtained updates from papers and public records to make sure information regarding claims was valid. The process involved constant communication with people from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

“The job opened my eyes to the ways different cultures work from country to country,” Nohner said. “I loved it. I want to do philanthropy, community involvement, or corporate citizenship on an international level, like giving aid to countries in need.”

London bombings heighten appreciation

Nohner did not fully appreciate her time in London until July 7 when she attempted to get on the underground train about a half hour after the series of terrorist bombs struck London’s public transport system during morning rush hour.

“The entire city was shaken, crippled,” Nohner said. “All of the bombings happened within a few blocks of where we lived, but they made me appreciate my time abroad more than I had before. Now I really appreciate what life has to offer. The entire experience – the internship, the bombings – solidified what I want to do in life.”

CBA student Betsie Thomasma broke new ground and made a difference in the community where she served as an intern for Habitat for Humanity in Beius, Romania.

CBA student Sarrah Nohner has fond memories of her internship in London.