Students visited the Samson Center patio to “Own Your Pin” earlier this week, illustrating their globe-trotting travels for summer internships.
“Every spring students come in and ask when we are going to put out the map—they just can’t wait to add their pin to it,” says library assistant director Ann Flower of the map that students have been using for years to illustrate where their recent internships and immersive experiences have taken them. The map is somewhat unassuming, a little wrinkled and worn for all the love it has been shown throughout the years. Each year all the old pins are removed and it becomes a blank slate for new student adventures.
Monterey Institute students traveled to over 30 countries this summer for internships and other professional development opportunities where they were able to build on their course work and apply their learning. Between 86 and 100 percent of students from all programs were able to secure an offer for relevant summer experience, most often through the Center for Advising and Career Services, or other MIIS connections.
This fall MIIS staff decided to host an event on campus and online called “Own Your Pin,” in the attempt to uncover some of the stories behind those colorful pins on the library map. Many students stopped by to add their name to the pins and share some of their exploits and lessons learned. Here are some of our favorite stories:
- Jordan Bowlby (MAIEM ’15) spent the summer working on a Conservation Biology Program for High School and College in South Africa. He will never forget the moment when he was being chased by a male elephant while in an open vehicle with students. But the greatest lesson he took away from the experience was about the complexity of conservation issues and how each situation needs its own solution.
- John Goad (MPA ’15) worked with Fundacion Mision Gaia in Minca, Colombia on issues related to education, sustainability, and animal welfare. He is quick to answer when asked what his greatest lesson was: “If you don’t have a hammer, use a rock”—in other words, learn to work with the resources you have.
- The international language of sports was on the mind of Julia Benson (MAIPS ’15) after spending the summer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Her favorite moment was playing basketball with NBA stars Brook and Robin Lopez during their “diplomacy through sports” trip. “It was great to see how sports can break down barriers.”
- Then there was the very useful lesson we learned from Phil Robinson (MANPTS ’15) who worked as a security liaison in Sochi, Russia: “when you are negotiating a bribe – start low!”
If you have a pin to “own” and would like to share your story with us, please fill out this online form.