Name: Danielle

Year: Senior

Major: Political Science

Minor: French

CFS Program: Field Studies in Social Justice

I am incredibly lucky to be participating in Chicago Field Studies for a second time and to be interning with two great organizations: the Heartland Alliance and the City of Evanston Office of Sustainability. What I love most about CFS – and why I came back for a second round – is that it provides me with the opportunity to obtain academic credit while doing substantial, meaningful work.

Every day at the Heartland Alliance, I work to teach refugees English so they can thrive in the United States. At the Evanston Office of Sustainability, among other assignments, I am working on an environmental justice project. My class, Field Studies in Social Justice, allows me to think about the work I am doing on a day-to-day basis within a broader framework. The class encourages me to think systemically, which adds another dimension to my daily tasks back in the office.

I feel like I am getting the best of all worlds this summer with CFS: I am exploring two career paths that are of interest to me, in places where I enjoy the work and company of my colleagues, while still being encouraged to think critically by way of my coursework (and having some time to explore Chicago on the side).