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Charity Cloud ’26 viewed her long summer break not as time off but as a chance to challenge herself and grow. Between studying art in Europe and interning full-time with the , she packed her break with experiences that will shape her far beyond Â鶹ɫÇéƬ. 

Her European journey began right after final exams and took her to iconic cities in the United Kingdom, France and Italy, where she studied European art, culture, and society. The program encouraged students to dive into the history behind the different art movements and styles, and examine how artwork reflects the periods in which they were created.

Studying in cultural capitals like Paris and Florence, along with access to museums, brought those lessons to life.

“Walking through the galleries of the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Uffizi Gallery allowed me to see masterpieces from different eras in person, which brought the art history lessons to life in a way no textbook ever could,” says Cloud.

“I especially enjoyed the guided tours by local experts who shared deep insights about the artworks and their historical context.”

That immersive and enlightening experience set the stage for her next challenge at a fast-paced marketing internship with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

As a business administration major and student-athlete, Cloud was in her natural environment, supporting partner onboarding, managing partnerships, and assisting with community engagement events, like kids’ soccer clinics and food drives.

Blending her love for sports and service, she built critical skills in communication, collaborative teamwork and project management.

Landing both a study abroad experience and a competitive internship isn’t easy—it requires planning, support and preparation. Cloud credits her professors for helping her master time management and balancing priorities—skills that proved essential over her summer. 

She also points to the guidance of Dr. Lisa Conley, director of career development, and Dr. Marisa Atencio, director of global education, whose support made big goals feel within reach. 

“Their personalized advice and encouragement made the process feel manageable rather than overwhelming,” said Cloud. “The skills I developed from juggling classes, travel and internship tasks taught me resilience and adaptability, which will benefit me well beyond this summer experience.” 

“Most importantly, Â鶹ɫÇéƬ helped me build the confidence to believe in myself and take on any challenge put in front of me,” she said.