Polo at Sunset

A Night of Ponies, Playing and Picnics

by Maggie Dankert 

Every intern group faces a bittersweet end to their engagement. In our case, those of us who interned at The International Center this summer are all excited to return to the other part of our lives, whether it is back to school or on to new jobs, but we also reluctantly leave a exciting environment that had become part of our daily lives.  We all had a blast this summer within our individual positions at The International Center, but year’s “class” of interns were presented with a special opportunity, a group project: planning a family-friendly fund-raising and social event called “Polo at Sunset” that was hosted by the local Hickory Hall Polo Club.  With over 400 people in attendance, it was a huge success!  We had a blast painting faces, teaching chopsticks, and watching talented men – and one woman! -- play polo.  And based on the saying that “a picture paints 1000 words", we wanted to share the equivalent of 20,000  bits of laughter, internationalism and old-fashion good times that we all experienced on August 16.

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.

New Opportunities for Growth Everyday

By Carrington Kujawski, Programs & Services Intern


“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate.” – Pico Iyer 


I was warned when I started to travel internationally that it would change everything about me: it would change my habits, my preferences, and my perspective. I was warned that learning about other cultures would become addictive, for the more I looked at the differences outside my comfort zone and background, the more I would learn about myself. While interning at The International Center, I have discovered not only ways to cultivate my own cultural interests, but also fostered skills focused on international business and seen how global outreach occurs on a daily basis and penetrates every aspect of our modern life.

Last Tuesday, I attended a World Trade Club meeting at the PNC Center to discuss customs brokerage. I walked into the meeting with absolutely no idea what customs brokerage meant, but by the time Joy Cooper finished her presentation to some of the top business leaders in the Indianapolis community, I was made aware of how almost everything we see in daily life has an international component. Now with manufacturing and businesses going global, companies who import and export their goods have to deal with international standards on an hourly basis. While I can’t say I found the subject matter particularly interesting, it introduced me to another component of globalization. And – fingers crossed – potentially another internship in international marketing.

The rest of the week was focused on developing from a cultural standpoint. When I wasn’t observing a training workshop on China, I was focused on researching international protocol and etiquette. Now, fortunately, I know how to properly hold a personal meeting with the Pope, the President, and the Queen.

While only a month into my internship at The International Center, I can firmly state that the passion in all of my coworkers to make the Indianapolis community better is contagious. The staff genuinely cares about their cause, which includes encouraging young professionals like myself to explore new areas of interest and develop career skills. I am excited to uncover new opportunities in the upcoming months, not only to develop professionally, but to contribute to my local community now and in the future.

Naturalizations & New Years

By Megan Watson, Marketing, Communications, and Stakeholder Relations Intern



On January 31, I had the honor of presenting an American flag to the eldest of the newly naturalized citizens in Marion County, Indiana. This moment was emotional, in every sense. It was endearing, it was overwhelming and most of all, it was absolutely joyous. This man, after waiting for who knows how long, was finally an American citizen and I got to give him what was now HIS flag. This was a landmark moment in my life and gave me the opportunity to realize just how great this community is. In Indianapolis, we are able to enjoy the comfort of a small city while still being graced with a multicultural setting that allows for growth and enrichment.

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.

New In The Building

By Megan Watson, Marketing and Volunteer Intern

This is the first week for the new Spring 2013 interns at The International Center!  We are all excited to be here and ready to experience the personal growth that goes along with investing in new experiences, especially those related to a culturally enriching environment.

There are a few excellent events that I'm really excited about visiting here in Central Indiana this week. Until April 28, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is hosting a collection of Kuna Needle Art from the San Blas Islands of Panama. The Kuna are the indigenous people of both Panama and Columbia and represent a distinct culture that uses art forms, such as textiles, for women's clothing as well as for personal enjoyment.

The band "Tiempo Libre" (in English, "Free Time") will be here on January 26th at Clowes Hall on Butler's campus to bring Indianapolis a taste of Latin music. The band performs in both English and Spanish and has been nominated for two separate Grammys: "Best Latin Tropical Album" and "Best Salsa/Meringue Album."

Another special note for the foodies out there: Devour Downtown Winterfest is here!  Special promotions exist at dining establishments with Mexican, Italian, Greek and Brazilian cuisine.  As always, it is nice to try something different every once in a while and it's even better when you don't have to spend much money for wonderful food!

An example of Mola art shown by a Kuna woman

How to Support The INTLCTR Without Opening Up Your Wallet!

Help support The International Center while saving on utilities
	The International Center is pleased to introduce our clients, friends, partners and supporters to "ENERGIZING INDIANA,"  a community project undertaken by IPL, one of our Global Society Sponsors. This project is in partnership with other electric utility providers throughout the state: Duke Energy, IMPA, Indiana Michigan Power, NIPSCO and Vectren. There are two programs- Residential Home Energy Assessments and IPL's Cool Cents- which you can elect to participate in that require NO FINANCIAL OBLIGATION but can ultimately help You, your Environment and The International Center. The Residential Home Energy Assessment Program involves a visit to your home -- FREE OF CHARGE -- by a trained professional who will assess your home and make suggestions of measures you can take to reduce your energy consumption. The energy professional will also present you with a complimentary Energy Savings Kit which includes 9 CFL light bulbs, two low-flow shower heads, two bathroom sink aerators, a kitchen sink aerator and a pipe wrap. The second program is called IPL's Cool Cents, geared more toward the summer months but for which you can sign up now. Through this program available to IPL customers only, IPL will install a switch on the outside of your home, near your air conditioner. During times of high electrical demand from May through September, IPL may cycle your air conditioner compressor on and off for short periods. Most customers report that they are unaware of any changes in temperature. You also receive a $5.00 reduction in your monthly electric bill for a limited period of time. Why should you consider participating in these programs? For EACH successful enrollment in one -- or both -- programs, "ENERGIZING INDIANA" will donate $25.00 to The International Center. Which means YOU can be responsible for as much as a $50.00 donation to The International Center, just by saying YES to both programs. You can also support us by encouraging your friends, relatives and co-workers to participate as well! If you are interested in learning more about either program, please send an email to info@internationalcenter.org and we will forward program flyers to you. You may also call us at (317) 955-5150 or FAX us at (317) 955-5160. Thank you to IPL and the other electric utilities throughout Indiana for joining "ENERGIZING INDIANA" and taking this step to help our community be more responsible in our energy consumption. And thanks in advance for YOUR support of The International Center through your participation in this effort!
For questions please email info@internationalcenter.org Please visit our website at www.internationalcenter.org

Sister Cities International Festival

By Maddie Silverstein, Marketing and Communications Intern 

Downton Indianapolis

On Saturday September 15, we paired up with the Mayor’s office of International and Cultural Affairs to celebrate Indy’s eight sister cities. The Sister Cities International Festival provided good fun, food, music, and more for the whole family.