Summer Spotlight: Celia Kauth

"This summer, I am working as a marketing/education intern at a Christian school in Danshui, Taiwan. My role is to immerse myself in the school-learn the details, meet the international staff, and gain hands-on experience with the kids! I am then expected to take what I have learned about the school, the culture, and the country and publicize the one-year teaching contracts the school offers to DePauw graduates.

Living in Taiwan has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding experiences of my life. Acclimating to the profound differences between Taiwanese and American culture has been a gradual process, and I am still combating homesickness. 

Although it has not been an easy few weeks, it has been a rewarding experience. I have been able visit incredible places, leap outside of my comfort zone, and gain a stronger sense of global awareness. The kids I work with make my heart smile, and every day has been full of laughs, grins, and new adventures!"

Summer Spotlight: Grace Lazarz

"I am volunteering in Accra, Ghana with a free arts education program founded by DePauw alum Lisa Sutherland ('13) called Summer Shakespeare.  It provides young adults of the Accra area with theatre skills and the experience of putting on a Shakespeare play free of charge.  I enjoy it, because not only am I experiencing a new culture and place, but I am getting to do what I love most--which is to help teach theatre to young people.  It has helped me grow as a director and given me new insight for when I return home, as I am a director for DePauw's Spring Spectacle of Shakespeare, a volunteer with the Castle Arts program, and work as a theatre camp counselor during the summer." 

Summer Spotlight: Erin Walsworth

 

Solar oven s'mores!

This summer I had the opportunity to work at the Gwinnett Environmental Center (in the Metro Atlanta area) as an educator. My job was to teach kids about the environment, specifically how to respect and better understand nature with an emphasis on living sustainably.

There were similarities throughout the summer in that each camp involved a lot of hiking and outdoor activity, and we also spent time on learning activities and fun experiments. Each week also brought a different group of campers and a different camp focal point.

Cleaning up an "oil spill"

 My favorite was the Young Scientist camp where we taught the kids how to observe nature and perform experiments like little scientists (the four year olds were too cute for words!) 

I got to work specifically with the 4, 5-6, and 7-9 age groups, and had an absolute blast with the kids!

Teaching is never really something that I pictured myself doing, but they were so eager to learn and it was a subject that I really enjoy so it came naturally and was a great experience. I also loved my coworkers! It was a great group of college students and retired grade-school teachers, definitely a unique mix of personalities!