Steps to a Rewarding Summer Season of Academic Exploration

In less than two months, Emma Kaeser will begin her internship at a public interest law organization in Budapest, Hungary, as part of the IIP program. The internship, which is set to start in June 2024, will provide Emma with a unique opportunity to immerse herself in a new culture and gain valuable research experience.

Recently, Emma attended a meeting to gather advice on making the most of her internship. The speakers emphasized the importance of approaching her summer research mindfully and treating the entire experience as field research. This means learning about the work environment, the people, and the culture, and getting to know what is foreign to her well enough to reassess the norm.

One of the key pieces of advice given was to make the familiar strange and the strange familiar when conducting research. This means approaching her research with an open mind and being willing to question assumptions and explore new ideas. Direct quotations were highlighted as an effective means of respecting subjects' perspectives and not imposing one's own vocabulary.

Communicating findings using the locals' terms was also encouraged. Listening to locals' perspectives and asking open-ended questions during research was another tip discussed. The speakers at the meeting also emphasized the importance of avoiding being "parachute researchers" when conducting research abroad.

In addition to these tips, the meeting provided advice on conducting ethical research abroad. Maintaining an open mind was suggested to enhance research findings and the summer experience. Emma was also encouraged to frame the summer experience within the context of current and future academic work, long-term plans, and the field of study.

As Emma prepares for her internship, she is currently solidifying travel and housing details. She is looking forward to this opportunity to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in the field of public interest law.