Erskine senior chosen for U.S. Department of State internship
Hard work and persistence鈥攏ot to mention a skipped class and a seven-hour train trip鈥攈ave paid off for Neal Blank, a senior from Camden, S.C., who was recently chosen for a U.S. Department of State Student Internship.
A double major in history and psychology with a minor in biology, Neal has played Men鈥檚 Soccer at Erskine, is a member of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, and was named to Garnet Circle in 2022. He spent the spring semester of 2023 in the United Kingdom, where he studied at St. Andrews University in Scotland.
Assistant Professor of History Dr. Christiane-Marie Abu Sarah, director of Erskine鈥檚 new International Studies program, urged Neal to apply for the internship last year.
鈥淚 missed the application window for that cycle but was able to get my application in for this cycle,鈥� Neal recalls. 鈥淒r. Abu Sarah has been incredible in supporting me and providing suggestions, resources, and contacts.鈥�
Abu Sarah is proud to serve as a mentor for Neal.
鈥淔ew students have what it takes to land a State Department internship,鈥� she says, noting that the application process is not easy. 鈥淣eal persisted and navigated the different challenges masterfully!鈥�
One challenge Neal encountered while still studying in Scotland, having received provisional acceptance to the internship program in April, was the need to complete a crucial step鈥攆ingerprinting.
鈥淲e emailed frantically back and forth, trying to troubleshoot how he could get fingerprinted by a U.S. official with the necessary credentials,鈥� Abu Sarah says.
鈥淎fter a dozen or so phone calls to various government agencies, Neal skipped class and hopped on a seven-hour train from Edinburgh, Scotland to London, England, to get fingerprinted at the U.S. Embassy in London.鈥�
That鈥檚 determination.
Neal is working diligently during the lead-up to his departure. In addition to preparing to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before he leaves, he has also been applying to graduate programs in clinical psychology and arranging visits to schools nearby which offer such programs.
鈥淚 remain open-minded,鈥� Neal says. 鈥淲ho knows? I may really enjoy my time at the State Department and want to work some prior to graduate school.鈥�
As he continues to think about his career aspirations and goals, Neal says frankly, 鈥淢y future is still open. I feel that my calling is tied to being flexible when opportunities arise. God keeps opening doors for me.鈥�
Describing Neal’s U.S. Department of State Internship as 鈥渁n incredible honor for both Neal and 番茄社区,鈥� Abu Sarah says Neal鈥檚 selection makes sense.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 globalized world, employers look for individuals like Neal鈥攑roblem-solvers and people of character who are willing to step out of their comfort zones, tackle new situations, and adapt to unfamiliar settings.鈥�
Members of the Erskine community who know Neal have little doubt that he will prove an excellent representative for his college and his country.
鈥淣eal is an exceptional young man who exhibits a strong work ethic in everything he undertakes,鈥� says Dean of the College Shane Bradley.
“We are proud of his accomplishments, and we pray for his safety and growth during his adventure.鈥�
