Author Archives: Sydney Robertson

Noor Werndlij ‘26 Interns at SFU Vienna 

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Name: Noor Werndlij
Class Year: 2026
Major: Psychology
Minor: Data Science
 
Internship Organization: Sigmund Freud University (SFU)
Internship Title:   Research Intern at the Institute for Transgenerational Transmission of Trauma Research
Location: Vienna, Austria
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

I am currently working as a research intern at the Trauma Institute located in the Psychotherapy science faculty at SFU in Vienna. So far, my internship has involved attending interesting conferences, such as The Nightmare of the Biomedical Approach to Mental Health in Slovenia, helping with literature research and reviews, and assisting with interesting projects. I was trained in an interviewing method to support ongoing research at the institute. Additionally, I have been able to visit and tour the SFU outpatient clinics, and I will be helping at and attending the upcoming World Congress of Psychotherapy hosted at SFU.

Why did you apply for this internship? 

I was always very interested in applying for a psychology-related internship. When I found out about the opportunity to intern in Vienna, I was immediately sold. Not only would it be really cool to be able to do an internship in a different country and explore the differences in psychology and therapy between the U.S. and Austria, but, since I am from the Netherlands, it was also a chance for me to be closer to home and family. Additionally, the opportunity to work at the trauma institute in the psychotherapy department aligns well with my interests and academic goals.

What has that experience been like for you?

Working in Vienna has been an incredible experience! However, this was also my first time doing an internship. At first, the flexibility of my internship felt a bit intimidating, but over time, I have appreciated the autonomy that it has offered. Communication with my supervisors and fellow interns has been very smooth from the start, which has made the adjustment much easier.

Was this internship what you expected it to be?  

Yes and no. It has been incredible to experience how real research is conducted and how journal articles are written, and to not only observe it but also contribute to it, which matched my expectations going into the internship. However, I was surprised by the flexibility my internship offered. I have had the freedom to shape the internship around my own interests as much as possible, which has been an amazing opportunity. It has also allowed me to practice and improve my skills in conducting research and doing literature reviews, while becoming more efficient in the process.

Alexie Coleman ’27 Explores the Criminal Justice System

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Name: Alexie Coleman
Class Year: 2027
Major: Sociology
 
Internship Organization: Delaware Department of Justice
Internship Title:   Legal Intern
Location: Wilmington, DE

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

For my Internship at the Department of Justice, I am working in the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Enterprise Unit (VCE) under a Deputy Attorney General. My main project includes watching and taking notes on body-cam footage on a gun charge and a homicide. In this case, the Deputy Attorneys General works with law enforcement to indict gang members and keep the public safe. Aside from my main project, I also volunteered at the Community Youth Resource Fair, that is under the Community Outreach Program, where families can access resources related to educational programs and mental health. In addition, there was also a chance to speak with government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses in the state of Delaware. Lastly, I was able to make a presentation with other interns for Diversity Equity and Inclusion week for training the Deputy Attorneys General on Microaggressions, which was a rewarding opportunity! 

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I have a passion for advocacy and law. Coming from a low-income background, I wanted to have the opportunity to give back to the community and help people get justice. I felt as though this internship would help me further my academic and professional career in the future, as I am learning how the criminal system works while also developing a work ethic. 


What has been your favorite part of this internship?  

My favorite part of this internship is collaborating with the other interns! There was a mix of high school and college students who had a lot of different interests related to the Department of Justice, so there was a lot of bonding while doing our respective projects. Also, we would let each other know when court days were, and where we were able to watch preliminary hearings, case reviews, or trials. Having that collaborative relationship with the interns made it easier to navigate the internship, where I was new to everything and did not know what to expect. Making connections and networking with the interns and the Deputy Attorneys General helped me build strong relationships that I will never forget.   

Was this internship what you expected it to be? 

This internship was not what I expected at all. I have explored other divisions besides criminal, including civil, fraud, family, and more. I also had the opportunity to see the work that law enforcement does by doing a police ride-along. It was a great experience getting to explore outside the criminal division, while also seeing how law enforcement plays a big role in the work that attorneys do. 

Learning Through Service: My Internship at Philabundance by Sophie Podolin ‘27 

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Name: Sophie Podolin
Class Year: 2027
Major: Anthropology
 
Internship Organization: Philabundance
Internship Title:   Community Food Access Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

Philabundance is a large-scale nonprofit organization that operates a variety of programs, all dedicated to a central mission: driving hunger from our communities. During my internship, I have primarily worked with the LunchBox program, which provides 40,000 meals to children across the nine counties serviced by Philabundance. When the school year ends and summer begins, many children lose access to the free breakfast and lunch meals they would typically receive at school. The LunchBox program addresses this critical gap by delivering fresh, nutritious meals to families throughout the summer months. I have supported this effort by working closely with the executive chefs at the Philabundance Community Kitchen to help ensure smooth day-to-day operations, while also organizing and assisting the volunteers who contribute to the program’s success. 

In addition to my work with the LunchBox program, I have also collaborated with the Community Food Access team on the development of the Mobile Market initiative, a new program designed to bring free fresh produce to directly to underserved neighborhood across the Philabundance service area. My role has involved collecting and analyzing data from ZIP codes across the region to help identify underserved areas and inform internal logistics to ensure an effective implementation of the program. Through this experience, I have gained valuable insight into nonprofit program design, data-driven decision making, and the broader challenges of ensuring equitable food access.

Why did you apply for this internship?   

I applied for an internship at Philabundance after completing a 360 course cluster at Bryn Mawr titled, Taste. One main focus of this interdisciplinary program was understanding how food systems reflect broader issues of equity, access, and identity. In particular, I was drawn to our discussions about how food aid programs must be culturally responsive in order to be truly effective. These conversations challenged me to think critically about what it means to meet communities where they are, not only in terms of providing food, but in respecting the foodways and traditions that are meaningful to them.  

Influenced by this academic experience, I knew I wanted to spend the summer working with a local organization that engages directly with food insecurity in a way that centers community needs. Philabundance stood out in this space, not only for it’s wide range of programs, but also for its commitment to community centered programming. Applying what I learned in the classroom to real-world service felt like a natural next step, and Philabundance offered the ideal setting for that learning to continue. 

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

One of the most personally rewarding aspects of my internship at Philabundance has been the relationships I’ve formed with my coworkers. As this was my first formal internship, I initially felt nervous about adapting to a new professional environment, particularly within the limited timeframe of a ten week program. However, from my very first day, I was met with warmth, encouragement, and a genuine sense of inclusion. The staff at Philabundance have not only been welcoming, but also generous with their time and guidance, which has allowed me to feel supported and valued as a member of the team. These relationships have significantly enhanced my internship experience and provided me with a strong sense of community within the organization. Working alongside such dedicated individuals has been both motivating and inspiring and will leave a lasting impact on my personal and professional growth. 

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience? 

The three nouns I would use to describe my time at Philabundance are: Excel spreadsheets, walk-in freezers, and food.  

Throughout my internship, I’ve worked on a wide range of data spreadsheets, something I had some experience in the past, but not in a professional setting. Learning to navigate and analyze data in a new way was initially challenging, but over time I’ve grown much more comfortable with the process. I now find myself able to engage with data sets more confidently (and without so much frustration)! 

Working out of the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) has also been one of the highlights of my experience. The building houses three operational kitchens and many walk-in freezers and coolers. With the intense Philly summer heat, I’ve found myself extremely grateful for those cool spaces, and I’ve definitely become well-acquainted with them. 

Another meaningful aspect of being based at PCK has been getting to know the students enrolled in Philabundance’s free culinary training program. Each day, the students prepare a delicious lunch for everyone in the building. Sharing meals with them and witnessing their progress first-hand has been a memorable part of my time at PCK, and I will certainly miss it when my internship ends.  

The three adjectives I would associate with my time at Philabundance are sweaty, goofy, and occasionally chaotic.  

Helping to run the LunchBox program has been one of the most rewarding parts of my internship, and it involves a significant amount of physical labor. Whether I’m moving boxes of fresh meals or helping volunteers navigate the facility, the work has definitely kept me active, often leaving me breaking a sweat by mid-morning.  

I would also describe my time as goofy because of the lighthearted, fun dynamic I’ve shared with my coworkers at the Philabundance Community Kitchen. Despite the demanding nature of the work, there is always room for laughter, inside jokes, and spontaneous moments of silliness. That sense of joy and team spirit has made the experience incredibly enjoyable and memorable.  

Finally, I would describe my time as occasionally chaotic. Shifts in public policy, including changes to SNAP funding under the current administration, have had real and immediate effects on the organization’s programs and operations. But what has stood out to me most is how resilient and adaptable the Philabundance staff are. No matter what challenges arise, they meet them with creativity, determination, and a deep commitment to community. Being a part of that kind of environment has been inspiring.

Jana Stemple ’27 Explores Public Defense at DeKalb County Office

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Name: Jana Stemple
Class Year: 2027
Major: Sociology
Minor: French
 
Internship Organization: DeKalb County Office of the Public Defender
Internship Title:   Public Defense Intern
Location: Decatur, GA

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

At my internship, I work with state court public defense attorneys. I assist in court and process applications for our office, while also observing court proceedings. I call clients to update them on their cases and get information for their attorneys. I also review evidence from the state and write summaries for the attorneys. I have also helped to draft legal documents and do legal research for a few cases. In addition, the internship program at the public defender’s office plans field trips for us where we have toured the local jail, medical examiner, and psychiatric hospital.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

In high school, I volunteered at a prison through a nonprofit that started a garden at the facility. Through this work, I learned how important it was that everyone have access to legal representation. I applied to this internship because I wanted to be able to help people like those I met at the prison where I worked. 

What has been your favorite part of the internship?

My favorite part of this internship has been how many different things I get to experience. I spend time in court, in the office, on tours, and in the jail. It is so hard to get bored because I am always learning something new and running between the office and the courthouse. Sometimes, if there is less to do at the office, I will go and observe other attorneys’ trials at the courthouse in my free time. I have loved being able to balance shadowing and observing with doing hands-on work. No single day is the same, and I have learned so much from the attorneys I work with as they have shared their experiences with me. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

The most rewarding part of my internship has been getting to work directly with our client through phone calls to them in jail, meetings in court, or emails. I love being able to give them time to tell their stories and feel like they have people who are listening and working to help them.  

I took the course “Technical Citizenship: Incarceration, Redemption, and Abolition” last semester at Haverford. This course highlighted the ways in which various technologies perpetuate the harms of the criminal legal system. Through these interactions, I have been able to see how the criminal legal system impacts people’s lives and connect these experiences with what we studied in class.  

These interactions have also underscored the many reasons why public defense work is so important. People have been so kind to me, and it has been so meaningful knowing that what I do can make even a small difference in someone’s life. 

Elizabeth Bailey ’27: Research Assistant Working with Belize Kriol and 20th Century Poetry 

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Name: Elizabeth Bailey
Class Year: 2027
Major: Linguistics, Classical Culture & Society
 
Internship Organization: Swarthmore College
Internship Title:   “Language, Culture and History: Belize in a Digital Age” and “Creole Poetics & Subject-Formation in 20th Century Belize”
Location: Remote

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

I’m working remotely as a research assistant with a transnational team on a collaborative project coordinated by Prof. Fuller Medina, of Swarthmore College, and Prof. Christopher DeShield, of the University of Belize. It brings together two projects on poetry and the social history of Belize Kriol, with the aim of creating an open-access digital archive of 20th century written Belize Kriol in poetry found in newspapers from Belize, which are currently located in the Belize Archives and Records Service. My tasks include running and manually correcting OCR of scanned text and conducting bibliographic research. I also work with metadata for the texts and assist with organizing the information to make it easier to work with.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I am a linguistics student, so I was excited to find an opportunity relating to language. I also sought a position that would help me improve my research skills and that would give me a chance to work with professional academic linguists. 

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

I knew that I should expect to work on the computer, since it is a remote position, and I knew that I might have to learn new programs and systems in order to complete my work. However, I hadn’t quite prepared myself for the process of learning these systems. It made me confront how often I choose to do a task the longer or less efficient way to avoid having to navigate an unfamiliar computer tool. Being required to use new programs gave me the motivation to get over my wariness. I’e been making good use now of Bryn Mawr’s access to Zotero and Adobe Acrobat, and I’m surprised at how much less confusing they have ended up being compared with my expectations. 

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?

One thing that working remotely has taught me is that there is definitely a time and a place for a long, detailed, specific email. After years of school training me out of being into a very condensed, punchy style, I’m finding that my somewhat-forgotten skills in making sure I leave no stone unturned are useful again. It’s important to maintain good written communication when working remotely, and this includes a lot of detailed emailing to clarify details of assignments and provide updates for ongoing tasks. You have to remember not to leave out a detail that you perceive as unimportant, but that everyone else involved actually needed to know. Online meetings have also been very important, and a year of remote school during the pandemic definitely helped prepare me for the slight awkwardness of talking to a person’s face when that person isn’t actually in front of you.