It is not every day that a Bluffton University student goes from writing for the college paper to writing for the Washington Times. Natalie Troyer, a junior communications major from Marysville, is spending the semester in Washington D.C. interning for the Washington Times. Her first article, “Movies morale boosters for GI’s,” was published on Sept. 20, 2004.
Troyer is participating in the American Studies Program which is run by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The program is an opportunity for participants to connect their physical faith with their vocation. There is a Christ centered, faith based approach to the program that allows students to experience spiritual and academic growth. “The academic program is very challenging and the time spent in the city and in your internship provides you with hands on learning that you do not get from a classroom setting. I feel my time here is encouraging me and challengi me in my spiritual growth,” Troyer said.
Troyer applied last spring for the program that runs from Sept. 6 until Dec. 18. She is studying and living with 43 other students from Christian liberal arts schools. The student are studying public policy and performing un-paid internships during their time in
This is Troyer’s first experience being away from home for an extended period of time, and her first time in a large city. “It has been challenging being eight hours away from the familiar, but I am confident that God has placed me here for a reason. He has been preparing me for this experience” said Troyer.
Troyer will return to the Bluffton campus second semester. After graduation in 2006, Troyer plans to pursue a career as a journalist for a newspaper. She is the daughter of Freeman and Melinda Troyer of
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Bluffton University |
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American Studies Program |
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