Senior International Relations Students from Belarusian State University Gain Experience in American Studies Research

BSU students present their internship projects

On April 1, 2010 seven senior students from the national leading Belarusian State University were awarded with certificates in recognition of successful internship at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk.  Acting PAO Emily Ronek, professors of the International Relations Department and staff of the Public Affairs participated in  the ceremony and discussion of the Internship Program and projects.  For the second time in a row, the “American Studies Research” internship program took place at the IRC. For over three weeks the interns participated in lectures, hands-on session, self-study, group discussions and project work to gain new knowledge and skills in information literacy and to study resources about the United States. They made an overview of resources about America for teachers of English from Minsk City Retraining Institute at Minsk Regional Public Library, analyzed over 150 web resources, made quizzes about in the U.S. available in Russian, developed an archive of IIP electronic journals, as well as organized Information Literacy Program Best Practices and resources on the U.S. Education for a Facebook page. All participants called the internship training an “opportunity to gain life-long experience” and ”ability to gain unique research skills” among other appraisals.

Acting PAO Emily Ronek thanked the interns for their interest, motivation and work to promote resources about the U.S. She expressed hope that the program helped the students to enrich their minds, develop creativity, independent thinking and contributed to better understanding of the United States.