MMC Student Evan Johnson ‘11 Earns Freeman Indonesia Nonprofit Internship

Evan Johnson '11

Johnson will join nine other American students selected for the program, which will run from June 17 to August 14. Director of Career Services Melissa Benca, M.A., and Study Abroad Coordinator Cynthia Sittler, B.A., assisted him throughout the application process. 

“When I arrived at MMC [in 2008], I noticed students were not applying for Fulbright grants, Boren scholarships, and many other awards for study abroad, all of which are administered through the Institute of International Education,” Benca said. “The Office of Career Services has tried to remedy this by informing students of the many opportunities that exist and encouraging them to apply. Evan’s selection for the Freeman Indonesia program puts MMC’s name into the pool at IIE, which will help any students who apply going forward.” 

In the program, Johnson will work with the Association for Economic Development and Studies of Microenterprises, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The non-governmental organization (NGO) works to strengthen Indonesia’s marginalized communities, as well as raise awareness and quality of human resources and social justice. Johnson will assist with the association’s community programs focused on agriculture, health, sanitation, human rights and many other issues. He will collect field data, conduct surveys and present his findings to officials at the organization. While abroad, Johnson will also enroll in an Indonesian language and culture course at Santa Dharma University. 

“I want to immerse myself in Indonesian culture as much as possible,” said Johnson, an acting major pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. “I am interested in exploring the ethnically diverse region of Yogyakarta and observing how people live there. I am also curious to see how the Indonesian government and NGOs function to provide services to needy people and small businesses in a country that is still developing industrially.” Upon returning from Indonesia, Johnson will begin his work as SGA president for the 2010-2011 academic year. He has many ideas for improving the college experience for his fellow MMC students. 

“I want to cultivate the relationship SGA has with the MMC student body,” Johnson said. “I also want to make student government as accessible and available to students as possible. SGA is a cooperative effort that is most effective with the backing of our peers. We need to be sure our fellow students want to celebrate the advancements and improvements we achieve at the College. I also want to encourage more extensive use of New York City as our campus by developing more outreach programs.” 

Johnson’s FINIP experience will broaden his worldview and will improve his work in his academic and professional career. 

“I am very excited to share my knowledge next fall with the MMC community about the Indonesian way of life,” he said. “I look forward to bringing my experience back to MMC.” 

To learn more about the Institute of International Education and the Freeman Indonesia Nonprofit Internship Program, visit www.iie.org. For more information about the Office of Career Services, visithttp://www.mmm.edu/learn/administrative/css/careerdevandinternships.html.

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.

Published: April 09, 2010