Meet Our Summer Interns: Part One

Each summer, Participate Learning interns work closely with staff to deliver excellent work while gaining confidence in the workplace. Each intern brings their own skills, ideas, and perspectives, which allow them to provide their department unique support. Interns are an essential part of Participate Learning’s goal to unite our world through global learning. 

Here, in Part One of this series, we introduce you to the first half of our current cohort of summer interns and share their reasons for choosing to work with Participate Learning. 

Ann Alexander is interning in the workplace experience department this summer. She is a rising sophomore at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is double majoring in history and peace, war, and defense.

Ann’s favorite things about interning at Participate Learning are the people and the connections she is making. Her favorite of the places she has traveled to is Oxford, UK. She took a week-long law course during her time there and was able to immerse herself in the town and culture.

Josie Delellis is interning in the teacher resources department this summer. She is a rising junior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is double majoring in sociology and human and organizational leadership and development.

Josie first wanted to intern with Participate Learning because of her interest in education and the way students become college and career ready during their time in the K-12 system. She saw how Participate Learning invests in its students and teachers while helping them navigate this system, and she knew it was something she wanted to be a part of. If Josie could travel anywhere in the world, she would choose Italy for the food and to practice speaking Italian.

Gaaron Goldsmith is an intern in the teacher resources department this summer. He is in his first year of law school at the UNC School of Law. From a young age, the importance of receiving an education was instilled in Gaaron. Working at Participate Learning allows him to help others receive the same education and opportunities that he had while growing up.

If Gaaron could travel anywhere in the world, he would choose Florence, Italy, to see his favorite soccer team, Fiorentina, play in a game.

Callie Kim is working as an intern in the human resources department this summer. She is a rising sophomore at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is double majoring in business administration and statistics and analytics. Callie wanted to work at Participate Learning because she was interested in learning more about the intersection of global learning and business while working for a company whose policies line up with its mission.

Callie enjoys interning at Participate Learning because it allows her to diversify her knowledge about behind-the-scenes aspects of business and gain experience from seeing projects through from start to finish. Callie’s favorites of the places she has traveled to are Puerto Rico and Mexico because of their beautiful natural landscapes.

Alisha Thompson is an intern in the evaluation and research department this summer. She is a graduate student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is pursuing her master’s in educational innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Alisha initially wanted to be a part of Participate Learning because it combines several of her interests and prior career experiences. She previously worked with children and adults as an English language teacher and is currently focusing on language learning and professional development for her degree. She was also attracted to the support that Participate Learning provides its Ambassador Teachers as they share their culture with K-12 students in the United States.

Alisha’s favorite thing about interning at Participate Learning is the enthusiasm and drive she sees within the company to provide quality learning experiences to students, along with its commitment to constantly improve how it accomplishes its mission. Alisha’s favorite of the places she has traveled to is Sevilla, Spain. She visited during Semana Santa (Holy Week), and seeing the beauty of the culture and the breathtaking architecture was an unforgettable experience for her.

Olivia Hall is an intern in the teacher resources department this summer. She is a rising sophomore at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in global studies with a minor in French. Olivia wanted to be an intern at Participate Learning because she identified with the company’s message of uniting the world through global learning.

Throughout her education, she has been able to take many classes with a global focus. Olivia believes that engaging in a global education is the best way to foster understanding and connection, two things that are essential in tackling global issues.

Olivia’s favorite thing about working at Participate Learning is the passion that everyone carries with them. She is grateful to be part of a team that is not only welcoming and compassionate, but also excited about the work it is doing and eager to share that excitement with her. Olivia’s favorite of the places she has traveled to is France. In 2018, she spent three weeks there in an exchange program, which gave her the opportunity to live with a host family and fully immerse herself in the language and culture.

Eloise Osborne is an intern in the teacher experience department this summer. She is a rising senior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is double majoring in global studies and women and gender studies. Eloise wanted to be an intern at Participate Learning because she believes that education is the pipeline to a more equitable society. She loves the idea of working for a company that is dedicated to promoting education through a global lens.

Eloise is currently spending the summer studying abroad in Amsterdam in a program focused on gender and society. She says that it is such a beautiful and welcoming country, with great food, people, and culture. She is also inspired by the county’s commitment to doing good for the environment.

Our interns are an important part of the Participate Learning community. They provide support to their departments while bringing fresh ideas and unique perspectives that are invaluable to our work. Read this blog post to learn about how we work to provide meaningful and hands-on experiences to all of our interns. To learn more about future intern positions or our intern-in-training program, visit our careers page.