Staff Interview with Lisa Frauens

What inspired you to work for EPA Internships?

My family and I lived in Heidelberg, Germany for three years while my husband was on an international work assignment. I felt so transformed by the experience that when I returned to the US, I sought opportunities to help others experience the thrill of living and immersing themselves in another culture.

Describe a typical day at work.

I oversee the US office and manage the relationship between the students and schools in the US and the partner schools and Programme Directors in Europe. I promote the program, guide students through the application and visa process, and resolve any issues that arise.

Why do you do what you do?

I am passionate about social justice issues, and I believe that education and intercultural exchange are key factors in solving many of the injustices that exist. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

I am proud of my part in nurturing global awareness and cultural sensitivity in young professionals. I encourage students to dream about their future and help them attain the skills they need to make those dreams come true. 

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

I would encourage myself to relax, have fun, and pack light! There may be moments when culture shock sets in and you wonder what you've gotten yourself into, but those times will pass, and in the end, it will be a great experience!

What makes EPA Internships special?

We consider EPA a boutique organization. We try to tailor the program to the individuals who are participating in it. In other words, we strive to match students with internships that match their unique interests and experience.

Why should someone choose EPA Internships over competitors?

The focus of our program is our internships. If a student is accepted on the program, we guarantee them an internship in their field for the entire term.

What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?

The past interns are our best marketing tools. They come back praising the experience they had in their internship, and encouraging their friends to go on the program. 

What is EPA’s mission and how do you continue to work toward it?

EPA's mission is to: Promote the academic, professional, and personal development of our students by fostering new and stimulating national and international perspectives on wide-ranging issues within and beyond each student’s academic speciality; develop a stronger sense of intellectual openness and independence in our students; enhance our students’ intercultural awareness and understanding; and strengthen our student’s range of skills and competencies to assist their future employability and career development. 

To accomplish this we collaborate productively with our partner organizations, including host employers, academic institutions, students’ home institutions, and with the program participants. These thriving partnerships are central to the planning and administration of EPA’s program provision and to ensuring the best possible experience for students.

Through on-site visits, as well as feedback from supervisors, schools, and participants, EPA rigorously manages and evaluates its internship and study abroad programs to ensure that the academic standards of the programs offered and the quality of the internships are maintained and enhanced.

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

I hope the experience will be transformative and that it will open their eyes to new ways of seeing, thinking, and living while also developing the skills that will get them hired after graduation.

If you could participate on one of EPA’s programs, where would you go and what would you do?

I would love to go to Edinburgh, Scotland and have an internship at a museum. There is so much ancient history there to explore—and the landscape is gorgeous. 

Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

The more you travel and experience new cultures, the broader your perspective becomes—and the more you learn about yourself as well. You learn how much your own views have been influenced by your culture, which opens you up to examining those views, and then developing your own as an individual. It also makes you more open and accepting of other cultures and viewpoints.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel is travel that immerses you in a different culture, even if that is within your own country or city. It opens your eyes and heart to the uniqueness and beauty inherent in our world.

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

I hope that international education will continue to flourish despite the current environment of strict visa regulations and xenophobia. I think that living, studying, and interning in another country is the best antidote. We all need to be more tolerant and accepting of each other so that we can work together to bring peace to the world.