MUDEC offers students the unique opportunity to intern during their semester abroad. Many students have taken advantage of this immersive experience.
Students can pick internships based on their future career paths or interests, across many disciplines. For example, Maeve O’Malley is a student intern at the Foundation of Autism Luxembourg (FAL). Her internship serves as three credit hours in lieu of an extra class.
O’Malley, a Kinesiology and Family Science and Social Work double major, travels to Rambrouch, Luxembourg every Tuesday to work a full day. O'Malley is also the first Miami student to intern at FAL.
“I’ve never had an internship before; this has been a great opportunity to learn more about people with autism,” said O’Malley, “We don’t speak each others' language so there’s an extra emphasis on body language and interactions.”
O’Malley’s main job is to provide assistance to the participants in everyday tasks. She said she helps with small tasks such as brushing teeth, cooking meals and exercising. She also helps with more involved tasks, such as overseeing trips to restaurants and facilitating interactions with members of the community.
FAL aims to “promote and defend the rights of people with autism in Luxembourg, regardless of the severity of their disability” (fal.lu). The organization was founded in 1996 by a group of parents in order to improve the lives of autistic people within Luxembourg.
O’Malley said she is so thankful for this opportunity, and it will prepare her for her future within the healthcare field. “This is a great organization because it solely focuses on its participants,” said O’Malley, “The employees make participants feel so special. They are open every day, even through COVID.”
