Student Interns

During the spring 2024 semester, IUHPFL's office staff included two student interns who, themselves, are both IUHPFL alumni. Raylen and Jackson contributed greatly to IUHPFL's social media efforts, to preparing for Student-Guardian Orientation, to getting the word out about IUHPFL to students across the state, and to many other tasks around the office. Learn more about them below!

Raylen is an IUHPFL alumna from the Ciudad Real 2022 cohort. Raylen just completed her freshman year and is majoring in Psychology, and triple minoring in Criminal Justice, Spanish, and Social Science and Medicine. She hopes to obtain a doctorate degree and become a clinical neuropsychologist.

Raylen is heavily involved in her community as she is a College Ambassador and Franchisor for Future Black Leaders INC - North Central High School. As a College Ambassador, she plays a key role in unifying the numerous Black Organizations within the Indiana University campus. Regarding her role as a founder, she is a mentor and model for Black students from her high school. As a former student who has experienced the climate of her high school, Raylen desires to help those that do not have the opportunity to receive the help they need when thinking about college. She is the Secretary of the Black Student Union Freshman Action Team, where she creates events targeting freshman students, with the goal of encouraging increased involvement on campus. 

Raylen's interest for the Spanish language developed during her first year in high school, and she has loved it ever since. Of her Ciudad Real experience, Raylen says: “The impact my time in Ciudad Real had on me is indescribable. My appreciation for the world around me increased, and I feel a certain level of connectedness to another culture I did not know I could have. I am forever grateful for IUHPFL and the experiences it has given me.” Her favorite part of the program was the host family experience because of how similar it was to her family in the US. 

Having the opportunity to come back to IUHPFL and help in different ways was a full circle experience. Raylen is so grateful for this program, and she loved giving back to the program through her internship. The program always emphasizes the importance of alumni returning, and she encourages alumni to find a way to continue being involved however they can.

As this year's cohorts go abroad, Raylen encourages the students to take every opportunity and moment. The experience that IUHPFL provides is like no other. To fully immerse yourself in the authentic culture as an individual and not a tourist allows another perspective that is not accessible as a traveler. Lastly, she encourages students to abide by the language rules to ensure the full immersion required to achieve near-fluency. It is tempting to speak English, but by holding yourself accountable, you not only see the result in language proficiency, but it teaches you more about yourself and your responses to overcoming obstacles.

Jackson is an alumnus of Graz’s 2022 cohort. After his experience in Graz, he has since come to Indiana University Bloomington to pursue a BSEd in German Education. Jackson is a rising sophomore at Indiana University and can’t wait to get back to Graz. 

Jackson looks back on his IUHPFL experience fondly. “Before going to Graz I liked German, but after coming back, I loved German!” His study abroad experience with IUHPFL pushed Jackson towards teaching and studying the language further. 

When asked about his favorite study abroad experience, Jackson couldn’t pick just one thing: he enjoyed everything. He had never traveled to Europe, and this program was the perfect opportunity for him. He is incredibly grateful for his host family and instructors and the friendships he made through the program. Jackson’s IUHPFL experience opened his eyes and changed his view on the world. With plans to study abroad again in the future, Jackson knows he can succeed because of his foundation with IUHPFL.

Coming back as an intern has been great for Jackson because it’s been fun to work behind the scenes and give back to the program in a way. One of his favorite things to do as an intern is to get the word out about the program.

As more generations of students go abroad, Jackson encourages everyone not to take anything for granted. Participating in this program is an incredible opportunity to grow, both with your target language and as a person overall. The chance to live in another country as a local is not one that comes up everyday. “If you have the chance to do this program, do it,” he says, “You will not regret going, but if you don’t go, you’ll regret it.”