In this Q&A, we speak with Fiona Garvey, an international studies undergraduate, who was selected as a summer 2024 recipient of the Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship award.
The Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship provides $2,000 to undergraduate and graduate Jackson School students serving in internships at organizations engaged in some aspect of international affairs.
Name: Fiona Garvey
Degree: B.A. International Studies and Sociology
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2025
Hometown: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
What made you choose the University of Washington?
I come from a small town in Ohio, so I knew that for university I wanted to move to a larger city with ample opportunities. When I looked into the University of Washington, it felt like the perfect fit for me. I love how it is a large state school but has communities within it that make the school feel smaller and more close-knit. For example, I’m in the interdisciplinary honors program, which has allowed me to engage with students studying different disciplines than mine and study subjects I would not have been able to study otherwise. I truly love the University of Washington because of its diversity and multicultural approach to education.
What led you to the Jackson School?
When I first came to UW, I only had declared my major in sociology. However, through studying how individuals interact with different institutions and social structures, I became curious about how those same theories apply at a global level. Therefore, I felt that pursuing a major in international studies would satisfy my curiosity. I really loved the engagement and genuine desire to understand foreign relations that I saw from my peers and professors and found my place in that community.
What was your reaction to receiving the Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship?
When I applied to the Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship, I did not expect to be chosen as a recipient. However, it was an amazing surprise when I was. I felt proud that my initiative to work with a non-profit was recognized and celebrated. It’s very difficult to work a job, especially when it’s unpaid, so knowing that I had the scholarship supporting me in my mission relieved a lot of my stress and allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my work.
What organization did you complete your internship at and what were your responsibilities?
I interned over the summer with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). In my role as a resettlement housing intern, I assisted housing specialists with securing temporary and permanent housing for refugee clients by completing rental applications and attending lease signing and tax credit appointments. I also supported the work of case managers by enrolling clients in English as a second language (ESL) [courses] and their children in schools and communicating with various local government agencies and organizations. As a part of carrying out these responsibilities, I met with clients in person and over the phone to explain certain processes and procedures to ensure their understanding. I also handled sensitive information and learned how to use new software to advance the IRC’s mission of supporting individuals impacted by crises.
How will this award help your goals and career path?
I hope to go into a career in law and/or foreign relations, specifically in the field of migration. Thus, this internship allowed me to gain hands-on experience working with immigrant populations and expand my knowledge of the resettlement process for immigrants in the United States. The internship complimented my studies, allowing me to form a comprehensive understanding of the barriers facing the populations I plan to work with in the future.
What key skills have you learned at the Jackson School that you’ll apply to your career?
My experience as a student in the Jackson School has allowed me to take courses that contextualize current global challenges and has provided me with the analytical skills crucial to addressing these issues. Specifically, I have learned to consider all perspectives and factors that surround a topic and form substantive opinions and arguments from them. These skills are important for me in my coursework and will be important post-graduation when I must think critically and collaborate with my colleagues for my future career.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for Jackson School Internship Scholarships?
I would recommend to future students considering to apply for this scholarship to just do it! Take time to fill out the application even if you don’t know if you’ll get it because you never know what the outcome will be. If you are passionate about working an internship in a field related to international studies, you should definitely apply, and in your application, be sure to emphasize that passion and how the internship will help you in that goal.
Anything else you’d like readers to know?
The availability of these internships offered by the Jackson School allows students to pursue their goals and work in positions that they may not have been able to work in otherwise without financial support. Thus, these scholarships are crucial to supporting the education and career development for UW students. I am extremely grateful to be one of the students benefiting from this amazing opportunity!