Travel the world and learn from other cultures. Develop your skills and make career connections in a fulfilling internship. Conduct cutting-edge research in the nation’s leading labs. Engage in the community and learn about the best ways to be of service to your neighbors. Every beyond-the-classroom (BTC) experience has a different goal and outcome, but one commonality unites them: There’s a lot to be learned outside of the classroom, and Honors students are ready to engage.
We caught up with some Honors students who were fresh from their summer BTC experiences — all of whom could write an incredible “What I Did Last Summer” essay.
Tremayne Ansani
The senior neuroscience and geography double-major from Columbia, South Carolina, participated in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25 Summer 2024 program. Hosted by the University of South Carolina Greenville, this program provides preparation for underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students who aspire to attend graduate school. Tremayne researched with professor Thomas Nathaniel, working on a project that compared demographics and pharmacological factors in vascular dementia patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms and a history of tobacco use.
Highlights from the lab: Tremayne gained an understanding of the many ways in which research applies to the healthcare field, and he appreciated opportunities to present his work and connect with others in his field at a research symposium.
What he’s saying: “I loved my experience because I was in an environment where I truly felt supported, could make mistakes, and ask questions... Overall, this experience has not only strengthened my understanding of graduate school and its admissions process but also provided me with a supportive network and invaluable connections that I will carry with me throughout my academic journey.”
Annie Matson
Sophomore public health major Annie Matson served as a camp counselor and lifeguard at Camp Burnt Gin in Sumter County. Sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the camp provides summertime fun and experiences for campers aged 7 – 25 with chronic illnesses and special healthcare needs. Throughout the summer, Matson learned the importance of integrating mental and social wellbeing into their own understanding of overall health and healthcare.
Highlights from camp: One of the most important skills, they found, was flexibility — and it takes time to develop this! They had a lot of practice adapting and thinking on their feet.
What they’re saying: “I loved this experience plain and simply because of my campers. Being with them was always the best part of my day, and there are definitely a few that are going to stay in my heart for years to come.”
Kendall Williams
For junior international business major Kendall Williams, one country wasn’t enough to occupy her time this summer. After completing a semester at ESSEC Business School in France, Williams gained field experience at a donation center outside of Strasbourg. Throughout the summer, Williams traveled to Germany, Spain, Greece, Italy and Scotland before returning to France for the Olympic Games. In Paris, she worked as a team liaison officer for Team USA’s rugby sevens squad.
Snapshots from Europe: Check out some of Kendall’s photos from her time abroad.
What she’s saying: “As the team liaison officer, I was able to work closely with the USA team and the Paris Olympic Committee to help manage smooth operations across practices, transportation, recovery and game play.”
Bryson Stakely
Senior music major Bryson Stakely spent the summer in Caroga Lake, New York, at the Caroga Arts Music Festival. The Columbia native worked as an audio/visual intern, honing the skills he’s been building through his audio recording and music industry studies minor. Stakely was responsible for setting up and running video and audio for the festival’s various concerts, managing setups that ranged from string quartets to singer-songwriters performing with an orchestra.
Highlights from the festival: Stakely enjoyed connecting with artists from around the country and is now following their careers. He also valued Caroga Arts’ commitment to the surrounding community and the camaraderie that he experienced throughout his internship.
What he’s saying: “I really appreciate the mission of Caroga Arts. They’re trying to reintroduce the arts and musical performance to an area that’s really been underserved in that regard for a while. It was interesting to hear how they had grown over the years — from a single concert in the founder’s grandmother’s garage to this multiweek event that attracts some pretty notable artists.”
Curious about some other incredible student experiences from last summer? Check out even more stories on the SCHC Instagram.