Political science and economics major finds fulfillment through internship interaction with elders

Sarya Thapa Magar ’25, a political science and economics major at The College of Wooster, knew she wanted a high-impact internship in her home country Nepal. Through the APEX Fellowship program, Thapa Magar interned at Bihana Social Ventures, a social enterprise in the country that specializes in home-based services for senior citizens. She found her fellowship mentor Cody Leary, associate professor of physics at Wooster, made her internship away from the College the best possible experience. During the internship, Thapa Magar provided care to elders, mentored interns, and planned events to foster a nurturing environment. Thapa Magar looks forward to finding more opportunities to give back to her community. 

“Engaging directly with older adults and contributing to meaningful projects has been incredibly fulfilling. It has opened my eyes to new career possibilities in social work and community support.”
—Sarya Thapa Magar ’25 

Q: How did you learn about the internship opportunity for your APEX Fellowship? 

Thapa Magar: During my senior year of high school, I sought internship opportunities to strengthen my resume for undergraduate admission. I utilized local networks to explore options and was fortunate enough to connect with an organization in my home country that offered an internship aligned with my career interests in the service industry. The internship was a perfect match for my aspirations, allowing me to gain relevant experience and insight into the field I wanted to pursue. 

Sarya Thapa Magar (right) assists senior citizens at Bihana Social Ventures. Photo courtesy of Sarya Thapa Magar.

Q: What interests you most about the work you did?  

Thapa Magar: The things that I found most rewarding about my internship were the direct engagement with the community, particularly older adults, and contributing to impactful projects. My tasks varied daily, from research to planning workshops and presentations. The combination of research, writing, and community interactions kept me motivated and connected to my passion for helping others. 

Q: Who was your fellowship mentor and how did they help you to succeed in this position? 

Thapa Magar: Dr. Leary was my APEX Fellowship mentor this summer. He has been incredibly kind and understanding throughout my internship. Even when I faced technical difficulties, he was always considerate and supportive. His guidance made my internship away from Wooster a smooth and positive experience. I am very grateful for that.  

Q: What are some skills you’ve learned that you see yourself carrying forward in your career? 

Thapa Magar: Some skills I’ve developed during my internship that I see myself carrying forward in my career include leadership, communication, and technological proficiency. Leading projects like creating a website and guiding new interns helped me hone my leadership and communication abilities. In addition, using various digital tools has enhanced my technological skills. 

Q: How has the internship helped you to see what’s next for you?  

Thapa Magar: Engaging directly with older adults and contributing to meaningful projects has been incredibly fulfilling. It has opened my eyes to new career possibilities in social work and community support. 

Posted in Experiential Learning, Showcase Stories 2024 on August 11, 2024.