Orientation:

What does "development" really mean? How are globalization and immigration linked in Gettysburg and Nicaragua? What are alternative approaches to traditional means of development? How do issues of power and privilege influence our decisions and service? These are some of the critical questions discussed at the three-day training at the start of the experience.

Processing the Partnership Experience: (In the Middle)

The summer of internships is half over. Students are enjoying the experience while negotiating their roles in the multiple communities in which they participate. The challenges of community development, cross-cultural experiences and internship responsibilities is being balanced with plenty of positive relationships and "aha" moments. Much of the reflection has been about how and why stories are told and the meaning of community. 

Making Sense of the Experience:
Quote from a student ending her experience in Gettysburg:

"This summer, my Gettysburg community spread much further than the perimeters of the campus. I had the opportunity to meet many types of people who have experienced poverty with a very diverse array of personal stories. My goal this summer was to learn about public policy as well as what types of agencies have clientele who are in poverty. I thought that in order to complete this goal, I needed to work in all types of agencies and experience what they do. Rather I found that it was even more rewarding to listen to families which the policy is affecting and the agencies are working with, to find out what they think needs to be changed and what agencies are helpful while other provide too many minute stipulations. Often time people in poverty are stereotyped as ill educated and unable to speak for them self. To the contrary, I have learned that be best way to make change is to go the face it is going to affect and ask them what change they want."