If you’re looking for an internship in Costa Rica (or anywhere), the students at the University for Peace could teach you a thing or two. I was at their internship fair because the intern we hosted from them last year – Erika Graczyk, pictured above – was so wonderful that we ended up hiring her as our Social Studies teacher this year. If she’s an example of their quality of students, we want more of them!
Here’s what they did that made my 3-hour drive off the mountain worthwhile. They didn’t just come to my table to sniff out internship possibilities (which we do have!) They showed a genuine interest in learning about our school, and even about me. Even if they didn’t think our rural mountain-top school was the right fit for them, they saw value in learning something new, and making a real connection with a new person. They made eye contact, gave me their 100% attention and interest, and shook my hand. They didn’t sell me with their resumes and accomplishments, but with the way they treat people and show interest in the world.
Each time I watched them move on to the next table and treat that person with the same respect and genuine curiosity, I thought, “I hope they apply for our school – they would make a great contribution.” Every one of them got the job without even asking.
Like most organizations, we have internship openings for only a few good young people to join us for a work-learn opportunity. And I can honestly say that the students of UPEACE are exactly the type of people we would welcome to our community.
I wrote a recent blog post about the way our school’s graduates live and make a difference in the world. How encouraging to visit another school whose students are a living testimony to the values we want to see in the world. Thank you, UPEACE.
