Announcing the 2023 Mertie Buckman Interns

Ten international studies majors have been selected as Mertie Buckman International Interns to travel abroad and intern in a country of their choosing during 2023.

Initiated in 1994 through a generous gift from the Buckman family, the Mertie W. Buckman International Internship Program provides the opportunity for outstanding international studies majors to broaden global understanding through living and working abroad during the summer months. Selected individuals complete an eight-week, fully funded internship (up to $10,000), and the program is coordinated by the chair and faculty members of the Department of International Studies and Director of Career Services Sandi George Tracy.

“I am so excited to work with these amazing students as they embark on their international internships,” says Tracy. “Past Mertie Buckman interns have called their experiences transformative. These new interns will be outstanding ambassadors of Rhodes throughout the world and will return to campus with a deeper appreciation of global perspectives.”

Here is this year’s group:

Jennifer Benton ’24
Major: International Studies and French
Destination: France

Sarah Kate Childs ’25
Major: International Studies and English
Destination: Guatemala

Elayna Davis-Mercer ’24
Major: International Studies
Destination: Ireland

Maya Khalife-Hamdan ’25
Major: International Studies, Spanish
Destination: Chile

Anna Lebrun ’24
Major: International Studies/History
Destination: France

Margaret Reese Mathis ’24
Major:  International Studies
Destination: London

Mehn Tala Norm ’24
Major: Economics and International Studies
Destination: France

Anjali Tadavarthy ’24
Major: International Studies and Political Science
Destination: Austria

Ethan Valbuena ’24
Major:  International Studies 
Destination: Spain

Adam Young ’24
Major: International Studies and Economics
Destination: Spain