Katherine Bittner '05

About Katherine

Katherine graduated magna cum laude in 2005 with a degree in international studies and minors in Spanish and biology.
While at Richmond, Katherine was involved with the Outdoors Club, the Sierra Club, Spider Community Tsunami Response, the Brazilian Music Ensemble, and the University Wind Ensemble.  She also volunteered with the Richmond Boys and Girls Club, Safe Harbor  Women's Shelter, and Skipwith Elementary School. 

Katherine studied abroad in Panama through the School for International Training.  She also worked as a student assistant in the Office of International Education.

In 2005 Katherine began working in Honduras and Nicaragua with the Central American Solar Energy Project (CASEP), an international NGO whose mission is to empower poor women in Central America to create lasting and sustainable change in their communities and society. 

Personal Statemen

My experience working with CASEP has been an incredible real-life internship, teaching me first-hand about the challenges and benefits of grassroots development work in the Third World. As a volunteer I was able to help with all facets of the work: I worked with the women in all of their projects, helping weigh and measure malnourished children for a weekly nutrition program, helping to build solar ovens, and leading some leadership workshops for the women. I taught some of the women to use a computer and the internet and how to drive. I helped write grant proposals, budgets, log frames, work plans and evaluations. But the work itself was only one part of this intercultural learning experience. Living and working with the women in their communities, I got to experience what life is like for so many poor people in Central America and throughout the developing world.

My education and experience at the University of Richmond prepared me in large part for this volunteer position. Knowing the basic concepts and theories of international relations and development allowed me to really understand the work that CASEP is doing and how it fits into the global picture of sustainable international development. Being conversationally fluent in Spanish also opened many doors for me, helping me to contribute to and learn from the women, and allowing me to form many lasting friendships.

The international experience I gained from studying abroad in Panama through the University of Richmond, as well as my interactions with international students at UR, gave me a basis of intercultural understanding that made my experience very special and rewarding.

Contact Katherine

Maia invites students to contact her about his experiences at Richmond and abroad. 

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