Chicago Semester: One Student’s Experience

The Chicago Semester program puts students to work in a global city, as they leave campus to live, study, and intern in downtown Chicago. Residing on the Gold Coast, students are able to take advantage of the ample display of art, history, and culture the city has to offer.

Psychology major Chelsea Keane ’10 of Sykesville, Maryland, is a participant in the program this semester. As a Helpline Intake Specialist, Keane interns with the Campaign for Better Health Care, an advocacy campaign that works with various coalitions and nonprofit groups to promote health care for everyone. Keane works to address congressmen and inform society on the issue of health care reform and sees firsthand the struggles of those in need.

Outside of the office, Keane takes two seminars, Religion and Urban Society and Fine Arts, which create multiple opportunities for her to explore the city. With a focus on Judaism, she travels to different synagogues and services throughout the city; and through fine arts she has visited different museums and attended several plays.

“There is a lot of great stuff happening in the city,” she said, “trying different ethnic foods, going to various museums, watching theatrical plays, and visiting friends in different neighborhoods.”

She said that living among an eclectic group of people in the city has been a learning experience in itself.  Visiting different parks, neighborhoods, and communities, Keane has seen what makes the city powerful and engaging.

“My experience here has been awesome.”