Hispanic Studies’ Internship Course Connects Students with the Community

During the  fall 2011 semester, Dr. Marianne Verlinden directed an internship course with six Spanish majors and minors. Each student participant worked directly with local Hispanics in one of the following venues: a family literacy program, the Children’s Hospital and a prenatal program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC); a pre-school reading program with the Charleston County School District; and a downtown hotel reception desk.  Following a rigorous, pre-semester screening, Professor Verlinden selected six of the internship program’s most highly qualified student applicants. Each student was required to serve 44 hours in their assigned internship. Class meeting times were devoted to sight translation and reviewing pertinent issues related to the Hispanic Community.