Pardee Students Reflect on Summer 2020
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has altered the lives of people around the world. Students pursuing in person internships, work studies, and jobs had their plans changed as schools across the country shut down in March. However, the students of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University are resilient and driven; they spent their summers improving the BU experience for fellow students, expanding their intellectual horizons, and making the world a better place.
Regina Acosta (Pardee ’22), a Pardee School Dean’s Ambassador, went above and beyond this summer to stay involved with the school. She helped plan and took part in a student panel for incoming freshman and transfers over the summer and helped out tremendously with prospective student visits.
“During the summer, we knew that orientation for the incoming first-years was going to look dramatically different than any of the previous class years’,” said Acosta. “It was really important for us to create a sense of community and safety at Pardee. We launched information sessions where we could casually talk with orientation students and explain what Pardee has brought to our undergraduate time thus far. This included talking about majors, extracurriculars, and work-life balance.”
On top of her work on Pardee School orientation, Acosta was seeking internship opportunities in her field. While the initial prospect of working for her local congressman fell through, Acosta successfully pursued opportunities outside of BU.
“A major experience I had was applying to the State Department to work for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City under the Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs. And thus far, I have been accepted as the primary selection for the internship. When applying in May, I didn’t know the prospects of what would happen. But, in the face of uncertainty, I just wanted to see where my efforts could take me even though I didn’t know where they would land necessarily.”
Another Pardee School student, Krizia Pascuccio (Pardee ’22) had the incredible opportunity to attend law school for a month at St. John University remotely through the Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program. While she was unable to travel to New York for the program as originally planned, Pascuccio was still able to have a rewarding educational experience.
“At St. John’s School of Law, I was provided the unique opportunity of taking real law school courses and have just as real debates about daily issues,” said Pascussio of her experience.
Looking towards the future, Krizia said that she will remain optimistic and not let the ongoing pandemic keep her from pursuing other enriching opportunities.
“Moving forward, I know that getting discouraged will not get me places. Success is, sometimes, achieved by being innovative and creative with what one is given. During the Fall, I will be applying to another program similar to the LSAT that will take place next summer. Meanwhile, I hope to start volunteering (remotely) with an organization called Enroot that focuses on mentoring immigrant youth.”
Abby Partnow (Pardee ’21), President of the Boston University International Affairs Association (BUIAA), was left far from home once BU shut down campus in March. Unable to return to her home in Alaska, she stayed in Boston and ultimately took a job at a grocery store to support herself. While she had planned to find an international relations internship or research position, she channeled her energy into helping select BUIAA’s new executive board, supporting organizational activities, and educating herself on the most pressing issues of our time.
“I think despite the worldwide culture shock of COVID-19 and a world in lockdown, it will be extremely beneficial as a communal experience that may catalyze change,” said Partnow. “Being in a leadership position demands empathy and adaptability, and I’m extremely proud that our organization was able to provide information, resources, and unwavering support for the Black Lives Matter movement. These past few months have demonstrated the country we live in, where despite being in the midst of a global pandemic, there are still internal biases and racist institutions that seek to destroy people simply on the basis of race. I took advantage of long days in quarantine to educate myself, especially on the history of policing in the U.S. which has not only been fulfilling but necessary in the age we live in and given our generation’s need to support and raise up these voices.”
For Abby, even though she had not planned to work at a grocery store for the summer, she said it proved to be an eye-opening experience.
“Despite the summer not going according to plan, in nearly any sense, I learned a lot about the importance of working and supporting yourself. Taking a job at a grocery store has taught me so much about human behavior and interactions that years of cultural studies never taught me,” she commented. “Thinking hypothetically if I hadn’t ended up working at a grocery store would I have been happier, less stressed? Maybe, but I know I would have missed out on all the invaluable people and learning experiences it has also provided me with.”
It’s obvious by the discussions with Pardee School students that COVID-19 altered their summer plans dramatically. Unable to pursue some of the opportunities normally available to them, they were forced to find new experiences, educational paths, and jobs. However, these Pardee School students were driven to help others and expand their horizon during a summer most might not care to remember. They represent the values our school holds dear, and we applaud them for their hard work and determination.
Are you a Pardee student with a story from Summer 2020 that you’d like to share? Reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.