Lehigh University Athletics
Open minds lead to opportunities
9/24/2015 3:08:00 PM | Women's Rowing, Student Athlete
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Media Relations
Madeleine Wescott wanted to travel overseas so badly.
"I was willing to do anything to travel," the junior from Jenkintown, Pa. said. "It didn't really matter what I was doing. I was willing to work hard and take whatever life threw at me. I was ready to travel, be a part of another culture and get more work experience."
In the end, Wescott couldn't have asked for a better summer experience through the Lehigh Iacocca Internship program. As a member of the Mountain Hawks' rowing team, Wescott knew the best time to travel would be in the summer.
"My co-griffin suggested I complete an Iacocca Internship because she had done so the summer before and raved about the experience," said Wescott.
As part of the application process, students select their top two locations. Wescott meant to apply to the Czech Republic or Croatia, but actually applied to Moldova (in Eastern Europe) by accident. Wescott didn't let the mistake ruin her experience. She took everything in stride, simply excited to experience a summer internship abroad.
"The opportunity in the Czech Republic was an engineering position and Croatia was more office work," said Wescott. "Ultimately, the opportunity in Moldova wasn't engineering related, but I was able to do design work which is also something I'm interested in."
After ten-hour flight, Wescott arrived in Moldova on June 1. The duration of the internship was almost two months, running until the end of July. The IDEAS (Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences) major worked at a nonprofit hospice in Moldova called Hospice Angeles.
"They provide hospice care, palliative care for Chi?inau, which is the capital of Moldova," said Wescott. "I worked in their fundraising department and did a lot of graphic design work. I helped design the new donation boxes, which turned out great. I worked on newsletters because we worked a lot with the embassies."
The Iacocca Internship program features all different types of jobs and opportunities.
"I went with three others," said Wescott. "One of them worked in Environmental NGO, one worked with orphan children and another worked at American Councils. You don't just apply for a country and they find you a job with your degree. When applying, you have to look for a position you're interested in."
More than any specific skills, Wescott used the summer to gain more broad and real-world knowledge.
"Coming out of my sophomore year, I always thought I had a plan and knew what I wanted to do," she said. "I pictured myself working for a big design firm, doing less of the engineering and more of the design work with a technical background. Now, after traveling and seeing the world, I am more open to whatever comes my way."
The feeling of being ready for anything has been enhanced at Lehigh, culminating in this trip.
"I went in open-eyed and eager. I really didn't know what to expect," said Wescott. "Above all, you learn how to think for yourself, think on your feet and think smartly. You learn how to be flexible and adaptable."
Becoming engrossed in another culture was a new, and rewarding, experience.
"I feel like I have a whole new prospective of being inclusive and understanding," said Wescott. "American culture is so different from Eastern Europe. I had to learn so much. I think travel inevitably changes you. My eyes have been open and there's so much more to life than my classes and rowing."
Wescott is taking this broadened perspective into her junior year at Lehigh.
"I definitely want to go travel more," she said. "It's such a big world."
For now, Wescott is ultra-focused on her task at hand, succeeding in the classroom and on the water. Speaking of rowing, it was Wescott's teammates who helped give her confidence entering an intimidating, and life-changing, experience.
"My team was really supportive," said Wescott. "My teammates said if anyone can make Moldova amazing, it will be you. That's what made me so excited to go and put Moldova on the map. I blogged and tried to do as much as I could in the country and make the most of the experience. My teammates were extremely supportive, as were my coaches."
Summer is "technically" free for all student-athletes, but they do have a responsibility to themselves and their teammates to stay sharp and ready for the season ahead. Lehigh head coach Brian Conley was totally on board with Wescott's internship, even if it meant a little less preparation than her teammates. The tradeoff of an enriching experience was well worth it.
"Maddie had asked if I would write her recommendation for the Iacocca internship, which is an amazing program and definitely something that I knew would advance her education in areas she's interested in, and then some," said Conley. "While I think Maddie was lucky to go to Moldova, I also think Moldova was lucky to have Maddie. We encourage our team members to seek out these opportunities. Lehigh offers so many different kinds of study abroad opportunities that don't conflict with our season. When an athlete finds something they're excited about, we start the conversation about the expectations and communication."
The culture around Lehigh Athletics is one of learning. Sports are one important aspect of the overall student-athlete experience, but it's not the only thing. It's more difficult to find time for experiences, but it is possible. Coaches across all sports are understanding of the give and take between academics, athletics and other enriching opportunities.
"I was in contact with Coach Conley a lot because I was having a hard time training," said Wescott. "There really aren't resources to train in Moldova and it's not really safe to run alone. I was nervous about coming back out of shape, but Coach was very understanding. I have been home for more than one month now and am still working towards getting back into shape."
"Maddie and I talked throughout the summer and we adapted a lot of her summer training to meet her needs," said Conley. "She may feel a little out of shape, but that is her competitive side. She is right in the mix with the rest of the team, which goes to show you how tough and adaptable our student-athletes are. It shows a strong sense of integrity, too."
The classroom is another area where Lehigh student-athletes aren't restricted. The Mountain Hawks have free reign of majors to choose from and are not very restricted academically, if at all. Wescott's rigorous IDEAS major is a perfect example.
With the added life skills learned this past summer, coupled with her interests, Wescott is already well set up for her future, and she's only a junior.
"I originally came in only as an engineer and was thinking about becoming a design minor," said Wescott. "Through IDEAS, I'm able to do both, which is amazing. I am so happy I can combine two areas. I really like math and science, but I also love my art and product design classes."
On the water, Wescott is looking to return to form. She has been a key part of the Mountain Hawks over her first two seasons, including being named a team captain as a sophomore.
"Freshman year was the first year we combined freshmen and varsity crews, so that was really challenging being in a varsity boat," she said. "At the same time, it was awesome because I was able to learn from upperclassmen, who have become some of my best friends."
Ultimately, the team atmosphere and the thrill of competition keeps Wescott coming back for more.
"I've met a lot of people who, like me, love competing and love being on a team," she said. "I've learned so much and I've learned how much it takes to be a competitor at this level. I've learned that I can push myself so much more than I thought I was ever capable of.
"I'm so excited to see the mental toughness on our team," Wescott continued. "The people on our roster are extremely committed to our goals. This team has so much potential to compete, be competitive and make a name for ourselves."
With her Iacocca Internship, Wescott had a goal in mind to travel overseas and she made it happen, just like she's continued to reach new goals in the classroom and on the water. She's looking to make the most of her four years at Lehigh.
"College is short," said Wescott. "I know a lot of student-athletes struggle making the most of their college time because they feel so tied down by their sport. For me, experiences like this have been nothing but rewarding and challenging."
Wescott's latest challenge couldn't have worked out any better, and it wouldn't have been possible without an open mind.
"I am more confident after my experiences at Lehigh," said Wescott. "Through every experience I have and class I take, I feel so prepared. The education that we're getting here at Lehigh teaches us how to think. It doesn't really matter what job I end up doing because I've learned how to think and problem solve. I picture myself still working at a design firm, but if I end up doing engineering or working with a hospice, that's great too."
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Madeleine Wescott wanted to travel overseas so badly.
"I was willing to do anything to travel," the junior from Jenkintown, Pa. said. "It didn't really matter what I was doing. I was willing to work hard and take whatever life threw at me. I was ready to travel, be a part of another culture and get more work experience."
In the end, Wescott couldn't have asked for a better summer experience through the Lehigh Iacocca Internship program. As a member of the Mountain Hawks' rowing team, Wescott knew the best time to travel would be in the summer.
"My co-griffin suggested I complete an Iacocca Internship because she had done so the summer before and raved about the experience," said Wescott.
As part of the application process, students select their top two locations. Wescott meant to apply to the Czech Republic or Croatia, but actually applied to Moldova (in Eastern Europe) by accident. Wescott didn't let the mistake ruin her experience. She took everything in stride, simply excited to experience a summer internship abroad.
"The opportunity in the Czech Republic was an engineering position and Croatia was more office work," said Wescott. "Ultimately, the opportunity in Moldova wasn't engineering related, but I was able to do design work which is also something I'm interested in."
After ten-hour flight, Wescott arrived in Moldova on June 1. The duration of the internship was almost two months, running until the end of July. The IDEAS (Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences) major worked at a nonprofit hospice in Moldova called Hospice Angeles.
"They provide hospice care, palliative care for Chi?inau, which is the capital of Moldova," said Wescott. "I worked in their fundraising department and did a lot of graphic design work. I helped design the new donation boxes, which turned out great. I worked on newsletters because we worked a lot with the embassies."
The Iacocca Internship program features all different types of jobs and opportunities.
"I went with three others," said Wescott. "One of them worked in Environmental NGO, one worked with orphan children and another worked at American Councils. You don't just apply for a country and they find you a job with your degree. When applying, you have to look for a position you're interested in."
More than any specific skills, Wescott used the summer to gain more broad and real-world knowledge.
"Coming out of my sophomore year, I always thought I had a plan and knew what I wanted to do," she said. "I pictured myself working for a big design firm, doing less of the engineering and more of the design work with a technical background. Now, after traveling and seeing the world, I am more open to whatever comes my way."
The feeling of being ready for anything has been enhanced at Lehigh, culminating in this trip.
"I went in open-eyed and eager. I really didn't know what to expect," said Wescott. "Above all, you learn how to think for yourself, think on your feet and think smartly. You learn how to be flexible and adaptable."
Becoming engrossed in another culture was a new, and rewarding, experience.
"I feel like I have a whole new prospective of being inclusive and understanding," said Wescott. "American culture is so different from Eastern Europe. I had to learn so much. I think travel inevitably changes you. My eyes have been open and there's so much more to life than my classes and rowing."
Wescott is taking this broadened perspective into her junior year at Lehigh.
"I definitely want to go travel more," she said. "It's such a big world."
For now, Wescott is ultra-focused on her task at hand, succeeding in the classroom and on the water. Speaking of rowing, it was Wescott's teammates who helped give her confidence entering an intimidating, and life-changing, experience.
"My team was really supportive," said Wescott. "My teammates said if anyone can make Moldova amazing, it will be you. That's what made me so excited to go and put Moldova on the map. I blogged and tried to do as much as I could in the country and make the most of the experience. My teammates were extremely supportive, as were my coaches."
Summer is "technically" free for all student-athletes, but they do have a responsibility to themselves and their teammates to stay sharp and ready for the season ahead. Lehigh head coach Brian Conley was totally on board with Wescott's internship, even if it meant a little less preparation than her teammates. The tradeoff of an enriching experience was well worth it.
"Maddie had asked if I would write her recommendation for the Iacocca internship, which is an amazing program and definitely something that I knew would advance her education in areas she's interested in, and then some," said Conley. "While I think Maddie was lucky to go to Moldova, I also think Moldova was lucky to have Maddie. We encourage our team members to seek out these opportunities. Lehigh offers so many different kinds of study abroad opportunities that don't conflict with our season. When an athlete finds something they're excited about, we start the conversation about the expectations and communication."
The culture around Lehigh Athletics is one of learning. Sports are one important aspect of the overall student-athlete experience, but it's not the only thing. It's more difficult to find time for experiences, but it is possible. Coaches across all sports are understanding of the give and take between academics, athletics and other enriching opportunities.
"I was in contact with Coach Conley a lot because I was having a hard time training," said Wescott. "There really aren't resources to train in Moldova and it's not really safe to run alone. I was nervous about coming back out of shape, but Coach was very understanding. I have been home for more than one month now and am still working towards getting back into shape."
"Maddie and I talked throughout the summer and we adapted a lot of her summer training to meet her needs," said Conley. "She may feel a little out of shape, but that is her competitive side. She is right in the mix with the rest of the team, which goes to show you how tough and adaptable our student-athletes are. It shows a strong sense of integrity, too."
The classroom is another area where Lehigh student-athletes aren't restricted. The Mountain Hawks have free reign of majors to choose from and are not very restricted academically, if at all. Wescott's rigorous IDEAS major is a perfect example.
With the added life skills learned this past summer, coupled with her interests, Wescott is already well set up for her future, and she's only a junior.
"I originally came in only as an engineer and was thinking about becoming a design minor," said Wescott. "Through IDEAS, I'm able to do both, which is amazing. I am so happy I can combine two areas. I really like math and science, but I also love my art and product design classes."
On the water, Wescott is looking to return to form. She has been a key part of the Mountain Hawks over her first two seasons, including being named a team captain as a sophomore.
"Freshman year was the first year we combined freshmen and varsity crews, so that was really challenging being in a varsity boat," she said. "At the same time, it was awesome because I was able to learn from upperclassmen, who have become some of my best friends."
Ultimately, the team atmosphere and the thrill of competition keeps Wescott coming back for more.
"I've met a lot of people who, like me, love competing and love being on a team," she said. "I've learned so much and I've learned how much it takes to be a competitor at this level. I've learned that I can push myself so much more than I thought I was ever capable of.
"I'm so excited to see the mental toughness on our team," Wescott continued. "The people on our roster are extremely committed to our goals. This team has so much potential to compete, be competitive and make a name for ourselves."
With her Iacocca Internship, Wescott had a goal in mind to travel overseas and she made it happen, just like she's continued to reach new goals in the classroom and on the water. She's looking to make the most of her four years at Lehigh.
"College is short," said Wescott. "I know a lot of student-athletes struggle making the most of their college time because they feel so tied down by their sport. For me, experiences like this have been nothing but rewarding and challenging."
Wescott's latest challenge couldn't have worked out any better, and it wouldn't have been possible without an open mind.
"I am more confident after my experiences at Lehigh," said Wescott. "Through every experience I have and class I take, I feel so prepared. The education that we're getting here at Lehigh teaches us how to think. It doesn't really matter what job I end up doing because I've learned how to think and problem solve. I picture myself still working at a design firm, but if I end up doing engineering or working with a hospice, that's great too."
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