March 28, 2024

NHS grad interns in London

Bergman spent the summer as an intern with the US Embassy

Thanks to a unique grant program at Grinnell College the Newton High School graduate had a chance at an amazing opportunity. Sydney Bergman, who graduated from Newton in 2014, was the recipient of a grant from the Rosenfield Program at Grinnell, which provides funding for students on summer internships.

Barbara Trish, a professor at Grinnell who runs the program said that often internships are unpaid, which can leave students in a pinch. The Rosenfield Program provides funding for those unpaid internships by covering the living expenses that the students will incur during the summer.

“It’s really important to Grinnell because it’s one way that we give students who have different resources and needs a chance to have comparable opportunities,” Trish said.

Grinnell gave 11 students internship grants via the Rosenfield Program this summer, with the college wide total more than 150. Grinnell students participated in internships in 23 different states, and 19 countries.

Funding these internships is a way for the college to make sure that students have the support they need Trish said. She said it’s critical for students to be able to focus on their internship without worrying about their finances.

“It’s nice not to make them do pizza delivery or find another part time job so they can experience what life is going to be like when they leave Grinnell,” Trish said.

Bergman’s summer internship was at the United States Embassy in London, where she worked in the consular office, meeting with visa applicants and helping process applications. After finding information about the internship online the history major at Grinnell knew it was the right fit for her. So in 2016 she crossed her fingers and applied.

“I absolutely loved it,” Bergman said. “There was always something to do, and it was always busy.”

While admitting that she didn’t know very much about immigration policy, Bergman said that she found plenty of chances to learn quickly on the job. For her, working in the visa office gave her a chance to put a face on the people who want to immigrate to the United States.

“Having this internship was an eye-opening opportunity,” Bergman said.

Working alongside two other interns Bergman had a unique chance to experience everything London has to offer. She spent most of her time touring London’s historical haunts and museums, listing the Victoria and Albert Museum as her favorite. After spending the last summer interning in New York City, London was a whole new experience for Bergman.

“It’s similar yet the same,” Bergman said. “London is an very international city, there was an amazing diversity of architecture.”

Even though she missed her mom’s cooking and fresh Iowa sweetcorn, Bergman has no regrets about spending the summer in London. Her mother and her sister also visited during the internship, and the three of them took the train to Edinburgh for a long weekend.

Grinnell students who participate in the program are required to complete an application, which includes a personal essay, as well as budget for their expected needs during the internship. In addition, returning students are asked to share their experiences with their peers after they return, something Trish said makes the connection more meaningful for students.

“It’s a great way for students to find out what’s out there in the world,” Trish said.

Spending a summer internship in London has opened Bergman up to opportunities beyond the borders of the United States. She’s considering attending grad school in the United Kingdom, and she’s excited to share her experience with classmates this fall when she returns to Grinnell.

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com