Department of Kinesiology

What could a pre-OT student gain from interning with UMD Facilities, Operations and Events?

KNES senior, Megan Washington, shared this intentional summer internship selection has provided valuable insight into what it takes to successfully manage an organization behind the scenes. In her role, she supports the daily operations of UMD Athletics by assisting with facility management, event planning, staffing, and the ex*****on of athletic events across campus. As someone who aspires to open a private pediatric occupational therapy practice, the skills she’s gained in operations, planning, and management will help her become both a strong healthcare provider and business owner.

Her advice for fellow KNES Terps? Say “yes” to opportunities, even if they don’t perfectly align with your career goals. Every experience helps you develop skills, expand your network, and discover strengths you didn’t know you had. You never know which opportunity will open the door to the next one, so don’t limit yourself!

We love when students capitalize on an opportunity to build transferable skills 🙌

Did you know you can earn your professional writing credit abroad?

KNES senior, Corinne Mead, spent 3 weeks this summer travelling to Rome and along the Cinque Terre coast trying different foods and learning about traditional Italian Cuisine for ENGL398T: Food Writing in Italy.

Learning about the fresh ingredients used in their foods, along with all of the walking, kept her feeling energized throughout the trip and has her feeling inspired to continue these habits back at home. It was an important reminder how fresh foods, combined with exercise, are key to a healthy lifestyle.

While Food Writing in Italy might not seem the most relevant to a KNES major, Corrine’s philosophy is you will always take away something from new experiences, so don’t be scared to try. Apply for as many opportunities as you can, and see what calls to you!

As a pre-health student, KNES sophomore Hailey Fuller is dedicating time this summer to intern at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Occupational and Physical Therapy Department.

Hailey learned of this internship opportunity from a friend (and KNES Terp!) who interned with Kennedy Krieger last summer.

Overall, Hailey has enjoyed observing patients from their initial evaluations to their discharges, and building meaningful connections with them throughout the process. Interning as an aide has also deepened her understanding of the intricate behind-the-scenes work involved in therapy. While tasks like walking or self-feeding may seem straightforward, she’s gained insight into the underlying complexity with the most “basic” daily activities.

📢 reminder: KNES students can apply to earn elective credit for their internship experience in summer, fall, winter and spring!

How do KNES Terps spend their summer? Joshua Martinez recently returned from a medical trip to San José, Honduras with UMD Global Brigades. Read below for highlights from his trip, what he gained from this experience, and advice for his peers!

Throughout the week, Joshua volunteered as a medical assistant by taking patients’ vitals, working alongside physicians, and helping provide care to the local community. Joshua also taught oral hygiene to more than 300 children through songs and demonstrations before sending them home with the necessary supplies to maintain these healthy habits. In San José, the closest hospital is almost a 2 hour drive through the local mountain roads. The people in this town were so grateful to finally receive the care they needed.

A memorable experience was caring for a patient with severe dental disease who needed all of their teeth extracted. Witnessing this reinforced Joshua’s goal of becoming a provider who not only delivers quality care but also treats every patient with empathy and dignity.

Outside the clinic, a favorite memory was playing catch, tag, and vueltas (turns) with the kids. Seeing them line up over and over again for another turn and hearing their laughter was just as rewarding as the clinical work.

While he felt nervous before the trip, it ended up being one of the best decisions he’s ever made and reinforced the value of stepping outside of your comfort zone. One last piece of advice: talk to your classmates! You never know what opportunities or connections might come from a simple conversation. The more people you get to know, the easier it becomes to learn about organizations, jobs, research, and other opportunities around campus.

Pre-Health Global Brigades at University of Maryland

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¡La Ciudad de Hyattsville está ofreciendo árboles gratuitos a los residentes y propietarios de inmuebles de la ciudad! Si desea que se plante un árbol en su propiedad, complete nuestro formulario de solicitud de árboles y seleccione la opción: “¡Una consulta para un árbol gratuito en mi propiedad!”.

Se programará una consulta para determinar cuál es la mejor opción para su espacio. Los árboles se plantarán en el otoño de 2026 o en la primavera de 2027. Los árboles se asignarán por orden de llegada, así que complete el formulario hoy mismo.

Más información en hyattsville.org/trees.