Six University of Iowa (UI) undergraduate students will participate in internships abroad thanks to support from the Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship, a fund established by the late Linda Baker (BA English ‘68) in memory of her former mentor, author and child behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Magid.

The Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship is designed for UI undergraduate students who intend to pursue an academic internship while embracing the cultural nuances and complexities of life abroad. The fund, originally created in 2005, began providing financial awards for credit-bearing experiential learning programs in fall 2022.

Meet the recipients:
 

Mozn Elfaki is a third-year student majoring in pre-pharmacy studies from Iowa City, Iowa. Elfaki is currently completing a CIEE Tokyo Summer Global Internship in Japan.

“I chose Tokyo to complete my internship because I wanted to explore a different side of the world, since I am more knowledgeable and familiar with African, Middle Eastern, and American lifestyles, so I wanted to challenge myself by being in a new culture. I'm excited to learn from the Japanese customs, values, and educational systems and overall broaden my global understanding.

"The Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship is meaningful to me because it represents more than just financial support; I believe it is an opportunity for me to grow as a person."

I think my global internship experience will be very important because as a future healthcare provider, I want to know about different patients and how to work with them. I feel like sometimes it is difficult for health care workers to treat patients or help them simply because of cultural barriers or that they lack sensitivity, empathy, and/or even have unconscious bias. By working in a new environment and interacting with people from different backgrounds, I hope to build greater cultural awareness, empathy, and communication skills that I can carry into my future career.

The Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship is meaningful to me because it represents more than just financial support; I believe it is an opportunity for me to grow as a person. This opportunity allows me to step outside my comfort zone and involve myself in a culture that I’ve never experienced before. It also highlights the importance of cross-cultural understanding, something I want to carry with me into my future as a pharmacist. I’m deeply grateful to be given the chance to grow both personally and professionally through this experience.”

Ela Gilson is a second-year student majoring in public health with a certificate in entrepreneurial management from Altoona, Iowa. Gilson is completing an IES internship abroad in Dublin, Ireland.

“I chose the Dublin, Ireland program through IES because it offers a multifaceted experience in an international setting. I am especially excited about interning at Nu Skin Medical Aesthetics Clinic, where I will have the privilege to gain hands-on experience in a healthcare setting while also gaining insight into how healthcare administrative operations function in a different country. I am looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture, expanding my perspectives, and building meaningful connections.

"Receiving this scholarship deeply empowers me to fully engage in my internship and academic work in Ireland without external constraints."

This international internship will have a profound impact on my future both professionally and personally. It will strengthen my understanding of global health systems and give me practical experience in a clinical environment. Living and working abroad will build my adaptability and resilience; qualities that are essential in any career path.

Receiving the Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship is not only a huge honor but also a tremendous support in pursuing this once in a lifetime opportunity. This scholarship not only alleviates financial stress but also profoundly impacts the values of experiential learning. Receiving this scholarship deeply empowers me to fully engage in my internship and academic work in Ireland without external constraints. I am deeply grateful for the chance to grow professionally and personally in such a meaningful way.”

Lucy Hernandez is a fourth-year student majoring in psychology with a minor in human relations from Malcom, Iowa. Hernandez is currently completing a CIEE Tokyo Summer Global Internship in Japan.

“I chose this program because I believe it will offer a valuable and enriching experience and the opportunity to engage with fellow University of Iowa students in an international setting. I am especially excited about being in a new environment and gaining firsthand insight into a different culture.

"This scholarship represents more than just financial support; it reflects a commitment by others to invest in my growth and success..."

This experience will differ from anything I have done, as it will offer a unique exposure to the Japanese business environment, which is known for its distinct corporate culture. I will learn about Japanese work ethics, professional etiquette, and the expectations placed on employees in a corporate setting. Working in a multicultural environment with a diverse team will provide me with valuable cross-cultural communication skills, enhancing my global business awareness.

The Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship holds significant meaning for me. It has not only alleviated financial stress but also made it possible for me to take part in this incredible opportunity. As a first-generation college student, I never imagined I would have the chance to intern in Tokyo, Japan. This scholarship represents more than just financial support; it reflects a commitment by others to invest in my growth and success, and it has truly empowered me to pursue an experience I once thought was out of reach. I want to give a big thank you for this opportunity.”

Mytika Mayberry is a third-year public health major on the pre-medicine track from Des Moines, Iowa. Mayberry is currently interning in Kisumu, Kenya on the SIT Kenya Internship Public Health in the Tropics program.

“On the SIT Public Health in the Tropics program, I will work with the local department of public health to track and research tropical diseases. This work will include developing and implementing prevention strategies at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. I chose this program because I’ve developed a strong passion for public health and the real-world impact it can have. I want to use this opportunity to explore whether I want to fully pursue medicine or continue in the field of public health. I’m excited to immerse myself in a new culture, learn from different health systems, and gain hands-on experience in community health work.

"This scholarship represents empowerment through opportunity, as it provides the financial support I need to study abroad—an experience that would not have been possible otherwise due to my low-income background."

This internship will have a lasting impact on my future by giving me a deeper understanding of public health practice in a global context. Working in a different country with unique health challenges and cultural perspectives will help me grow both personally and professionally. It will also provide clarity and direction as I consider my long-term career path.

This scholarship represents empowerment through opportunity, as it provides the financial support I need to study abroad—an experience that would not have been possible otherwise due to my low-income background. It marks a milestone achievement, allowing me to become the first person in my family to travel outside of the country. More than that, it offers a meaningful way to serve others by enabling me to engage in public health work that benefits underserved communities, especially children, aligning with the core values of the scholarship. It also supports my personal and professional growth, helping me become a well-rounded University of Iowa student and future alumna, while advancing my goal of promoting public health equity and child welfare on a global scale. Most importantly, this award inspires me to give back in the future, supporting other students just as the donor has generously supported me.”

Ifrah Mohamed is a fourth-year student majoring in global health studies, and while she is originally from Somalia, she has spent half of her life living in Iowa. Mohamed is currently completing an IES internship abroad in Vienna, Austria.

“I’m interning with VAEV R&D Research and Development Agency, which works on improving education and learning through sustainable, community-based projects. Their mission to empower vulnerable groups and advocate for policy change really connects with my passion for global health and equity.

"This internship is already helping me grow in cross-cultural communication and global collaboration, which are so important for my future career in global health."

I chose this program because it’s a unique chance to get real-world experience in an international setting. I’m looking forward to working with local organizations in fields like international relations and psychology, while also immersing myself in Austrian culture. It’s a great opportunity to build my skills and gain experience that aligns with my goals. This internship is already helping me grow in cross-cultural communication and global collaboration, which are so important for my future career in global health. It’s also broadening my perspective on how different cultures approach health and social issues, which I know will make me a stronger candidate for grad programs or jobs down the line.

Receiving the Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship has truly made it possible for me to take advantage of this incredible opportunity without worrying about financial barriers. I’ve been in Vienna for three days now, and honestly, I’m so happy and inspired. Being here feels like a dream come true and it’s already changing how I see the world and my place in it. This support lets me focus fully on learning and growing every day."

Veronica Ramirez is a third-year student on the pre-occupational therapy track majoring in global health studies with a minor in inclusive recreation and certificates in disability studies and nonprofit leadership & philanthropy. From Clinton, Iowa, Ramirez is completing a global internship abroad through the IES Cape Town South Africa study abroad/internship program.

“I chose to pursue a summer internship in Cape Town, South Africa, because I am deeply passionate and committed to making a meaningful impact through service. Through the University of Iowa, I have been a part of several volunteer initiatives which helped me develop a sense of passion for service. This program will give me the unique opportunity to immerse myself in a culturally rich and diverse environment which will in turn help me grow as a more empathetic and culturally competent individual.

"This experience will help me be better equipped to serve patients with greater sensitivity and awareness throughout my career in healthcare."

I envision this experience having a lasting impact on both my personal growth and professional development. Through immersing myself in a new cultural and healthcare setting, I believe that it will enhance my cultural competence which will be an essential skill for providing empathetic and effective care for diverse patients I may encounter in my future career. This experience will help me be better equipped to serve patients with greater sensitivity and awareness throughout my career in healthcare.

I am deeply grateful that the Dr. Ken Magid Study Abroad Scholarship has given me the chance to do service abroad. For a long time, I viewed studying abroad as something far beyond my reach. I always envisioned myself doing service abroad but due to financial constraints I never believed it would be possible. This is an experience I am incredibly grateful and fortunate to have.”

To help more University of Iowa students go abroad, make a gift today!

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.