An Asian Summer Experience

Kate Baxter speaks at the Xining International Forum, representing the Utah-Qinghai Eco Partnership.PROVO, Utah – Aug 31, 2012 – Romney Institute students are willing to travel all over the world — even to China — to gain valuable experience through internships. Kate Baxter spent her summer interning for the Utah-Qinghai Eco Partnership, a young organization in central China.

When Baxter arrived at the end of May, she immersed herself by speaking fluent Chinese. Her days as an intern included representing the organization, directing programs and publishing research.

"My favorite part was working with the other people," says Baxter, an MPA candidate planning to graduate in April 2013. "It was exciting to watch them, work with them and learn the Chinese way of doing things. It was very time-intensive, but fulfilling."

Baxter's internship organization is an extension of the U.S. Department of State, established to strengthen the partnership between Utah and the Chinese province of Qinghai. It aims to advance energy security, increase economic growth, sustain the environment and build trust.

A major event during her internship was the Xining International Forum, where Baxter addressed all conference attendees. She says giving the speech to Xining and Qinghai government officials, along with officials from governments around the world, was a unique experience.

"Because I had prepared, I was confident in my message, and the officials were both welcoming and respectful," she says. "I felt no fear speaking to them."

Baxter applied what she has learned from her MPA classes to her internship, such as how local governments work and what kinds of problems leaders face.

"The knowledge I've gained in the program helped me in many ways," she says. "And my understanding from my economics, decision analysis, human resources and statistical analysis classes increased my understanding, abilities and adaptability required for the internship."

Baxter says she is proud to be part of the Romney Institute, where students can find internships through hard work and sincere networking. The MPA program does not require an internship to graduate, but all of the candidates completed internships last spring and summer semesters, a trend that occurs every year.

"When I look at the internships my fellow MPA students landed, I am amazed at the skills they are using and learning," Baxter says. "One of the great things about being a part of the Romney Institute is associating with students who are doing amazing things all around the world."

The Romney Institute of Public Management was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. Part of Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management, the Romney Institute offers a master's degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and nonprofit institutions worldwide.