Sierra Club dedicates Activist Toolkit to Megan Racinowski

Megan Racinowski has received posthumous recognition from the Sierra Club's Atlantic Chapter for her contributions to their recent publication, "New York Municipalities Moving Toward Clean, Renewable Energy." Megan, a Political Science major, worked on the toolkit project while she was a Sierra Club intern during summer 2018. The Sierra Club's publication, which is dedicated to Megan, features case studies of 12 communities in New York State that have taken major steps to embrace clean, renewable energy. You can read the Sierra Club's publication at this link.

At a meeting on Daemen's campus on June 19th, Sierra Club representative Dr. Ellen Banks presented Megan's mother, Nancy Racinowski, with a copy of the toolkit. Dr. Banks is an Emeritus Professor (Psychology) at Daemen and the Conservation Chair for the Sierra Club's Atlantic Chapter.

(In the photo above, Nancy Racinowski (Megan's mother) receives a copy of the publication from Dr. Ellen Banks (at left), with Dr. Penny Messinger (at right) representing the History & Political Science Department.)

Interning in Thailand

by Gabrielle Sinnott, History and Political Science, 2019

Since my freshman year at Daemen I had the dream of interning in Thailand. I planned on going twice before, but the plans always fell through, until the 2018 Fall semester came along. I had meeting upon meeting with Ann Robinson, from Global Programs, about my desire to go abroad and she was diligent in helping me get there. I recall Ann’s conversation with me, “The Gilman Scholarship is due in two days, but you should definitely try to apply!” and so, I did. Now for all of you who haven’t applied for the Gilman International Scholarship before, it is not an easy task. There are multiple essays and a strenuous application to fulfill, but I was able to complete it a few hours before the deadline.

I remember the next day vividly because of how disappointed I was with my essays. I even said to Ann, “Wow, that was the worst essay I’ve ever written in my life.” But, she assured me that it was fine and at least I was able to complete the application before the deadline. And what happened next? I entirely forgot that I applied and continued on with applying to local internships for the summer. A few months later I received the news.

It was 6:30 in the evening and I was at Daemen doing homework when I received the email for winning the Gilman International Scholarship to study in Thailand for 8 weeks over the summer. I was in shock. I didn’t believe it. I googled the email address to make sure it wasn’t scam, then I called my mom, my friend, and emailed a few of my mentors. It was an incredibly surreal moment. I never thought I would actually travel to Thailand. It was just too much money as a first generation student who pays for college, but it was possible.

So in May 2018 I packed my bags and flew out to Chiang Mai, Thailand to pursue a public health internship in the Nong Han Public Health Clinic. Sounds a bit weird, right? A History and Political Science student heading to Thailand for the summer for an internship not in her field? Makes no sense…

Well, even though I’m a History and Political Science student, I also hold minors in Philosophy, Medical Humanities, Global Studies, and Public History, and my future goals include attending Graduate School to obtain a PhD in Medical Anthropology.  This internship allowed me to observe a live health clinic to study the role of the clinic in the community, ethics and culture within the clinic.

The Nong Han Public Health Clinic is a government funded clinic that’s a department of the San Sai Hospital located right up the road. The Clinic serviced 14 districts and cared for roughly 20,000 patients, where other clinics in Chiang Mai cared for 4,000 to 5,000 patients.

As an Intern, I was able to attend home visits to assess patients that were bedridden, paralyzed, or unable to make it to the clinic, conduct general assessments on children, fill prescriptions prescribed by the doctor, teach healthy and unhealthy habits to elementary children, and participate in community lead events, such as a Dengue Prevention parade or an Herbal Medicine Seminar.  

While in Thailand, most of the nurses in my clinic couldn’t speak English, which really impeded my ability to obtain information. Thankfully, one nurse and at least one student from a rotating group from Chiang Mai University spoke English, so I was able to somewhat communicate. To better my communication skills, I practiced writing and speaking Thai with my homestay mother and others within the clinic—one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I spent a lot of time writing and rewriting the Thai alphabet and learning phrases to use in the clinic and in everyday life, but eventually I was able to better communicate with the nurses and people around me.

My time in Chiang Mai substantially influenced my decision to continue pursuing a future in Anthropology. I obtained so much information, not only about working in a Thai clinic, but also about the Chiang Mai region, Buddhism, environmental sustainability, linguistics, and the Northern Thai population and culture.

My internship gave me a glimpse at what future field work consists of and what living in a foreign environment is like. Personally, I have developed a new perspective on what it’s like being an outsider, an academic, and how to cope with an intense language barrier. I have grown in ways that I couldn’t have imagined going into this experience and I am incredibly thankful for this unique opportunity. My internship transformed my idea of Southeast Asian culture and values and has stimulated my drive to pursue a career in academia. The impact Thailand has had on me is unparalleled and I will cherish my memories far into my future endeavors.

Senate 101: Interning with Senator Tom Carper

 

Megan Racinowski outside the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

This semester, Megan Racinowski (sophomore, PSC major) is interning in Washington, DC, with Delaware Senator Tom Carper. She describes her experience in a guest blog post.

Senate 101: Interning with Senator Tom Carper

By Megan Racinowski

I approached Mr. Lamark Shaw early in my freshman year to discuss the Washington Internship Institute program. After our discussion I was ready to pack my bags and be off to DC, but I learned that I had to wait till at least my sophomore year to go on this journey. During my freshman year  I continued to work hard but was eager to find out what the future holds. When the time came, I sent in my application to the WII in August 2017 and got an acceptance letter the very next day. I was very excited to start this journey and to be able to try something out of my comfort zone.

"I have a strong passion for environmental work and being able to work with the committee allowed me to see first-hand a push for change in environmental policy in a time when this is so important."

Interning in Senator Tom Carper’s office is a very fun and important experience for me that is shaping the person I am becoming. The most important part for me is that Senator Carper is a ranking member on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, which brings close cooperation with the workers on the committee. I have a strong passion for environmental work and being able to work with the committee allowed me to see first-hand a push for change in environmental policy in a time when this is so important. As an intern in Senator Carper’s office I am given the freedom to follow my policy interests by attending many different committee hearings, and connecting with individuals in those policy realms. 

Megan with Senator Tom Carper (Delaware)

As an intern I do not answer phones all day, and often get to help with important tasks in the office varying from policy research for the Legislative Correspondents to helping get various Senators’ and Representatives’ signatures for co-sponsorship on legislation. One of the most memorable experiences from my internship was being able to get lunch with my fellow interns, my internship coordinator, and Senator Carper. Senator Carper always takes the time to personally meet with his interns and get to know them and their career goals. The Senator always made a point of saying hello to the interns and bringing interns into different meetings he would have. The atmosphere in the office was always welcoming and inviting, making me feel comfortable and excited to go to work every day. I will always cherish my time in Senator Carper’s office, and will continue to grow from my experience.

At work in Senator Carper's office

The WII program pushes students to become not only better people, but to become better students and workers as well. Students in the WII program's Inside Washington track take two different classes. One is a career seminar class and the another is a class of the student's choice, either in international relations or American politics. The career seminar class teaches students about presenting yourself within the job market and how to land the job of your dreams. Some of the activities in this class included a resume and cover letter workshop, mock job interviews, practicing an elevator speech, and discussing my career goals. 

My class on American politics has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me gain self-confidence that I did not have before. I now feel comfortable to one day enter the job market, because I feel prepared and confident in myself and my ability.  The class emphasizes debating skills and how to have a good discussion with peers about controversial issues like gun-control, abortion, and marriage equality. In the polarized political climate we are currently living in, the class has forced me to hear other people’s opinions and to try to understand different perspectives on issues. My fellow classmates are all working at different places--ranging from think tanks, to lobbying firms, to Capitol Hill--and being able to talk to them about their experiences helps me grow as a person and learn about the job world. I appreciate that the internship is teaching me what it is like to work in an office environment. I think the experience I am getting through my internship will set me apart from peers when I enter the job market.
 

At the Women's March, January 2018

My time on the Hill is influencing my growth as a student and as a person. I am seeing how government actually works, getting hands-on experience within our government, and expanding my network.


The internship pushes me to take advantage of all the opportunities that come my way. My classes have helped me develop the skills I need to be successful in my future endeavors. I have grown and will continue to grow as a person from my internship/classes and am eager for my future. My internship has reignited the fire inside of me to fight for change and make a lasting difference in the world around me.

"My internship has reignited the fire inside of me to fight for change and make a lasting difference in the world around me."

For more information on the Washington Internship Institute, contact Mr. Lamark Shaw in Daemen's Career Services office.

Gabrielle Sinnott receives Gilman scholarship to study abroad in summer 2018

Gabrielle Sinnott, H&P major (class of 2019)

History & Political Science major Gabrielle Sinnott has been awarded a prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to underwrite the cost of her internship in Thailand this summer. Gabby is one of 300 students in the United States selected to receive a Gilman scholarship, which underwrites study-abroad opportunities for American college and university students.  Read more about Gabby's award here.

If you want to study abroad, visit our Global Programs office to learn about study-abroad opportunities and scholarships to help pay your way.