Name: Clara Grosse
Class Year: 2025
Major: Environmental Studies
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Internship Organization: Carl Schurz Haus
Job Title: Assistant Environmental Coordinator for the Green Academy
Location: Freiburg, Germany
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
I am planning a sustainability camp for teenagers to help them learn about sustainability in English, gain experience talking about sustainability in a more global context, and hopefully help them make a greater impact.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I wanted some experience in my field of study. I haven’t done much work other than personal engagement and social justice work like protests for the environment. I wanted to dedicate my summer to making a difference, even if it is in a small way.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
I’ve been able to do a lot of design work, posters, flyers, and T-shirts, which is something I really enjoy doing. I hope to find a career in sustainable design, so it was helpful to hone more Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
I am learning skills in digital design, which is important to me because I want to continue a career in sustainable design. It’s also important because although my superiors have their input and tell me what they want, it is up to me to make the entire design they end up using, and although it is scary, it’s also very empowering. I am also learning skills in planning and taking initiative. I’ve been able to plan programs on my own for specific workshops and events. This has been an amazing experience because I get to choose exactly what I think would be advantageous for the age group I’m working with. It has given me a sense of responsibility and helped me really put a lot of thought into my work.
What is most rewarding about your internship?
Meeting people and experiencing the green city of Freiburg. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people here that I wouldn’t have otherwise; that has been my favorite and most rewarding part.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.