The Ever Globalizing Indianapolis

By Bridget Hays, Strategic Initiatives Intern

Last Monday I had the chance to hear the French Consul General, Graham Paul, speak at World Trade Day at the Ritz Charles. Our very own CEO, Diane Thomas, was chosen as an honorary consul for Indiana and was introduced to the group. M. Paul continued on with a speech discussing the strengths of France and why it is and will be a great trading and investment partner for US companies. This entire morning was extremely exciting and interesting to me as an international business student who was fortunate enough to study abroad in France for five months. I started missing Nantes a lot, but I also became quite excited for all of the international opportunities that Indy currently has to offer and will have in the future with the drive to make our city even more global.

Being part of this World Trade Day allowed me to look forward to a project that I am currently working on. In the upcoming month The International Center is hosting an informational session on a visa program that can bring in investment dollars. The event is in partnership with the Indiana Construction Rountable and will be a great way to meet individuals in the construction industry. These attendees are interested in the idea of a more global Indiana and will be an asset to Indy's future.

My experience thus far at The International Center has been great and full of constant learning. There is something new every day going on in the office which allows for an enticing environment. All of the ongoing and new projects are great indicators of what an exciting time it is to be in Indy. Global business is knocking at our door and The International Center is ready.

Momentum at the Midway Point

By Rachelle Fullam, Strategic Initiatives Intern

As I approach the midway point of my internship at The International Center, I have begun to start reflecting on all the things that I have done here. Since I started interning at The Center I have met so many talented people and gotten the chance to participate in a wide variety of projects. Working in the Strategic Initiatives department has given me the opportunity to learn about all the different programs on a deeper level, while also interacting with the people who help run them. I’ve also had a lot of unique opportunities, such as attending a very special home hospitality dinner as well as attending (and presenting) at a Naturalization ceremony. As I go from meeting to meeting I have learned about all the different methods of communicating ideas within an office environment which, as a college student, is a whole new world for me.

As I spend time looking at all the things I have done, I have become even more excited for what lies ahead. I know that the skills I have learned so far will help provide me with a stepping stone to a future career. Although I still am not exactly sure what kind of career I want, interning at The International Center has helped me to further realize that I want working with other cultures to be an integral part of that. The diversity of cultures and experiences between the staff makes the office an exciting place to be, providing a space for different methods of understanding to merge.

My experience at The Center so far has really given me the opportunity to enhance and grow skills that will help me in formulating a professional career; whether I do so in Indiana or abroad. As I move toward the second half of my internship I know that whatever challenges I will face, or tasks I will be handed will only serve to contribute to my success in the future.

One Pixel at a Time

By Apelles Johnson, Strategic Initiatives Intern



To The International Center Team,


I’ve been at The International Center for a month now, and while there is still a lot that I would like to discover, there are already some things that I know for certain about the people that power this organization. Each individual has a unique role and expertise that have been funneled through a concrete mission of the center and the leadership that oversees it. To see such a machine in action, and to have been an active part in it, really opened my eyes to what can be achieved with a small group of concerned and talented world citizens.

Broadening Horizons

By Ming Hu, Graduate Assistant/Manager of the Burmese Project

It is my third month spent with the International Center. An amazing experience so far.