Thank you, Winter Quarter FIUTS Interns!
FIUTS offers internships for students of all schools who are interested in program management, international education, marketing, event planning, and non-profit administration. Today, we’d like to thank our winter quarter interns for the incredible work ethic and passion they demonstrated in organizing office affairs, planning events and activities, and supporting CulturalFest 2020, the largest multicultural student event at the University of Washington. You will be missed!
Name: Kseniia Temkina
What inspired you to intern for FIUTS?
Being an international student, I have found myself in different social groups over the course of the first couple of years trying to deal with cultural shock and find my place on campus. When I found out about the internship at FIUTS, I knew that I would love to make other international students feel welcomed at UW and excited about being here. The whole mission of the organization really spoke to me!
Looking back on the quarter, what is one of your favorite internship memories?
One of my favorite internship memories was certainly preparing for the CulturalFest. I had been to this event a couple of times before and I was so excited to see the other side of the whole process and enjoy the busy atmosphere of the office. Definitely a highlight!
Going forward, what professional skills will you bring to your next position?
One of the most important skills I've developed in this position is adaptability. It was a very busy quarter for the office, and I realized that people often don't appreciate nonprofits enough! There is so much that needs to be done and oftentimes you end up wearing many hats and adapting to different circumstances that arise out of nowhere (as it happens in life).
Another skill I will be bringing to my next position is event planning and everything that comes with it: time management, attention to detail, ability to do your research and to work independently... There is so much involved in planning anything from a simple social event for 20 students to a weekend getaway to a different city or state, to a cultural festival for a couple thousand community members from the Greater Seattle area. I'm very excited to use these skills while working on new projects and in new positions.
Name: Ruying Wang
What inspired you to intern for FIUTS?
I was really inspired to intern for FIUTS because I want to be more involved in the local community while bringing benefits to international students through my actions. FIUTS provides a great opportunity to form cross-cultural understandings and recognize that we are all citizens of the world.
Looking back on the quarter, what is one of your favorite internship memories?
I really enjoy organizing Wednesday Lunch because it gives me a sense of accountability and ownership to assure that everyone is welcomed, and they have fun. Moreover, it’s free food!!
Going forward, what professional skills will you bring to your next position?
I become more experienced in digital literacy such as making E-newsletters and posters, and I think they are important skills because we are living in a digital world and we need to familiarize ourselves in how to communicate with others in this digitalized society.
Name: Madeline Kusnadi
What inspired you to intern for FIUTS?
I’ve always had an interest in cross-cultural exchanges, but never really got involved in it until I transferred into UW. I thought it’d be a great idea to combine this interest with my quest for professional and personal growth. After all, as an international student, I had a sneak peek at FIUTS during the Embark Session and Welcome Week. I had quite a journey with FIUTS, but long-story short I joined the Student Board, facilitated various events, and then applied as an intern. The more I got involved in all their events and programs, the more I fell in love with FIUTS as a community. So when the chance came that I could both learn and grow while helping them out, I jumped at it.
Looking back on the quarter, what is one of your favorite internship memories?
It was a specific moment on a very normal day. We were all going about our usual business when one question led to another, and suddenly the office was participating in a spiraling conversation about the most random things. Alex summed it up by saying it felt like we were secretly part of a comedy TV. Show like an episode of Community. This small moment triggered a mini flashback of my past experiences with FIUTS, a whole scrapbook of strange and happy memories in my head. Having just gotten out of a pretty bad place in my life, it was good to feel at home with FIUTS.
Going forward, what professional skills will you bring to your next position?
From this internship, software-wise, I learned how to use Campaign Monitor for Salesforce and Squarespace. Having worked using Box and Canva at my previous internship with FIUTS really helped me with getting work done more quickly and efficiently. It was nice to have been given more responsibilities this time around, as I was able to offer more help and support to both staff and any students with questions. I hope knowledge and experience in these programs would prove useful to my next position.
In terms of soft skills, FIUTS taught me how to go out of my comfort zone, to adapt to various situations and take control, as well as to help whenever and however I can. So much of FIUTS depends on teamwork, communication, and adaptability, skills which I hope to apply at my next position. Wherever and whatever that is, I hope to go above and beyond for it as I do with FIUTS.
Not pictured, but highly appreciated and very missed: Bely Lor and Monica Mursch.
Interested in working at FIUTS? Learn more about our internship and work study positions here.