Brazil 2004: Amanda Brown

I feel that the many of the internship/post internship activities helped me to be better prepared for leadership. Because I had led talks, small groups, etc. I was able to lead many similar things at my everyday job now. The practical experience is helpful in gaining experience in many leadership areas that will apply to everyday job experience.

(Amanda grew up in Czech Republic and is currently a counselor in Columbia, SC

Botswana 2002: Janna Thomas

I think the most transferable skill I learned on the internship and in my involvement since is conflict resolution (and ways to avoid needing it in the first place). It’s a skill that comes in handy in all facets of life – with friends, family, co-workers, or even the cable guy. The insights into human behavior I’ve gotten from working with MK2MK have enabled me to better relate to people both on a personal and professional level (and everywhere in between).

(Janna grew up in the Philippines and graduated from Florida State University. She works for the Florida House of Representatives) 

Bakersfield 2000: Jenn Seabourn

The public speaking workshops challenged me to become a more creative and impacting presenter. As a teacher, these lent themselves directly into my professional life, not just in the classroom, but also in leading professional development workshops for fellow teachers.

The interpersonal skills workshops have been used on a daily basis in my classroom and with my fellow staff members. I am a more effective listener to my students and build stronger relationships with them in helping them work through the social aspects of growing up.

 (Jenn graduated from Stephen F. Austin University and teaches fifth grade in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is also associate staff with Campus Crusade, MK2MK).

Bakersfield 2000: Amy Schulte

A decade (and at least 3 different professions) after completing the MK2MK internship, I believe that the training that was provided to us during this internship proved invaluable to my career track.  Just recently at a conference in Malaysia, a coworker stared at me in amazement when I finished giving a presentation and then said “you are such a great public speaker, and you don’t seem at all nervous!”  If she could have seen me getting the giggles during our internship’s communication class, she would be able to see what a difference it made.  The internship created in me a level of professionalism that we often don’t experience until after graduation from college.  It was structured, but incredible fun and developmental in my life.  It was skills-focused, in addition to providing an environment where I could explore my own background in an emotionally safe context.

Being involved with MK2MK, first as part of the pilot internship and then participating in serve the least of these alongside some of my favorite people in the world.

(Amy grew up in the Middle East and France. She graduated from UCLA and has an MA in Counseling. She currently works for International Reading Association in Washington DC).