Flint Study Away Internship Spotlight – Haley Hall

July 31, 2023 - Shelly DeJong

Name: Haley Hall

Hometown - Davison, Mi (right outside Flint) 

Major - Psychology Major, Minor in Women’s & Gender Studies 

Year - Graduating after this last summer semester wraps up 

 

You’re interning with Crim Fitness Foundation in Flint. What do they do there and what is your role?  

The Crim Fitness Foundation is a non-profit that works to improve the health in the Flint community. My role is with the Race Department, the Mindfulness Department, and the Sports and CANUSA Department. Since I am in so many different areas, my days are never the same. I help plan races, expos, and set up races and events. I attend yoga twice a week for mindfulness, along with representing the Mindfulness Department at different events such as City Hall’s Resource fair, and other resource related expos in the community. For the Sports department I do things such as help plan and execute Family Recreation Days which are free events for families in Flint. I have worked Golf Day, Yoga Day, Hip-hop Dance Day, and Bowling Night. I also help register kids and teams for CANUSA games and attend events most nights of the week. These events range from soccer to basketball, track, bowling and even darts.  

What do you like most about your internship?  

I love being part of a foundation that gives kids the opportunities to play sports, be competitive, and have fun. Providing the supplies alone is an expensive burden, so I love being able to see a child’s face light up when they get to play with a new basketball or hold a golf club for the first time. I like to see the outcomes of the work that we put in here, it is extremely rewarding.  

How has your psych background prepared you for this internship?   

My psychology background has prepared me for this internship because I am working with two demographics of people that we learn a lot about in psychology: children and individuals with a low socioeconomic status. Psychology particularly helps with understanding how the brain of a child works and their developmental stages. I also have knowledge about the benefits of sport and play to a child’s developing brain, so it is rewarding to be a part of something that I already know is going to help a child for the rest of their lives, whether it is with fine motor skills, imagination, or teamwork.  

Can you share your experience with the Flint Summer Study Away Internship program?  

The Flint Study Away Internship program has been absolutely amazing. I cannot think of anyone better than Cathy White to oversee a study away experience of this caliber. Her energy is contagious, and everything from the first meeting with her, to the lunches throughout the internship made you excited about what you were a part of. I have no critics or complaints about the program. I couldn’t recommend it enough.   

What are your hopes/goals for the future?  

The Crim has been kind enough to offer me a position to stay and continue to be a part of their awesome team! I have the Flint Summer Study Away Internship program and Cathy White to thank, along with my amazing internship site. I am so excited to stay and work for the Crim, and I couldn’t have even dreamt of this experience turning out so well for me.