Kaitlyn Ard

2025 Newman Family Internship Award Recipient

My name is Kaitlyn, and I am from Necedah, WI. This summer, I have had the fantastic opportunity to volunteer and work at 3 Mariposas Montessori School in La Cienaga, DR. At the school, I have been working in the elementary classroom with students aged 6-12, helping with activities during the school’s annual summer camp. I have helped guide the kids in fun art and music activities, led classes for volleyball, and even helped teach sign language. I have made incredible connections with my host family and people from the school.

At UW, I am currently studying International Studies and Spanish. This international internship has allowed me to take topics that I have only studied in the classroom and finally apply what I have learned to authentic experiences in a new culture. By living and working in a Spanish-speaking country, I have been fully immersed in the language and culture, which has helped me to improve my fluency and skills using Spanish that I have studied primarily in classrooms. This experience has been beneficial for me as I plan to pursue a career in an international setting where I will be using my language skills on a daily basis.