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For Aniya Burnett, it was a summer of adventure.

Burnett, a junior at the IU School of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, spent three weeks of her summer in New Zealand as part of the Global Gateway for Teachers program. Burnett was among the first cohort of Counseling and Student Services majors to participate in Global Gateway under a new branch of the program now available to students pursuing the CASS major, making her experience even more special. 

Burnett was inspired to pursue counseling and student services because of a desire to work in higher education and support students from diverse and multicultural backgrounds, especially students of color. 

“I want to become the kind of advocate and mentor that I was fortunate to have during my own high school experience. Being able to connect with students, understand their individual needs, and help guide them toward success is something that is very meaningful to me. I hope to create supportive environments where students feel heard, valued, and encouraged to achieve their goals,” Burnett said.

In New Zealand, Burnett worked in a public school that serves children in elementary to intermediate grade levels. She worked within a homebase classroom, where she assisted with general education instruction by supporting both teachers and students through one-on-one assistance, small group work, and potentially some whole-class instruction. She also worked alongside staff members who focus on social and emotional learning and help prepare older students for their transition into secondary education, and participated in extracurricular activities, including school clubs, organizations, field trips, and community outreach initiatives connected to the school and surrounding community.

With the additional opportunity to participate in Global Gateway, Burnett also gained invaluable experience with students from another country while learning about different customs, traditions, and educational systems.

“Working with students from different cultural backgrounds will help me grow both personally and professionally. I believe this experience strengthened my ability to communicate, connect with, and support students from diverse communities, which aligns closely with my future career goals in higher education and student services,” she added.

Professor Jesse Steinfeldt collaborated with the inaugural CASS cohort working in New Zealand and will join them as part of the study program. Burnett called being part of the cohort an honor, adding, “I am grateful to be part of a program that encourages growth, cultural understanding, and hands-on learning experiences. I also look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with future students so they can feel encouraged and prepared to take advantage of opportunities like this as well.”

Currently, one of Burnett’s primary career goals is to become an academic advisor - but she won’t limit herself to only one area within higher education: “I hope to explore a variety of opportunities within the field, gain diverse experiences, and continue growing professionally. Ultimately, I want to build a career that allows me to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives while continuing to learn and develop as a professional,” she said. 

“One thing that is especially important to me is creating environments where students feel supported, represented, and encouraged to succeed. I value building genuine connections with students and understanding the unique experiences and challenges they may face. I believe that education goes beyond academics, and I hope to contribute to spaces where students can grow both personally and professionally,” Burnett added. “Participating in opportunities like Global Gateway is helping me expand my perspective and further prepare me for a future career dedicated to student support and advocacy.”

Burnett received the to help fund her CASS internship in New Zealand.  The Gilman Scholarship is a highly competitive national program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøal and Cultural Affairs, administered by the Institute of International ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, that helps students with financial need pursue study and internship experiences abroad.

Through Global Gateway for Teachers, students receive support and guidance throughout the scholarship process, from identifying the opportunity to preparing a competitive application. Global Gateway works to make culturally immersive student teaching and internship experiences accessible to students by connecting them with international opportunities and resources to help make those experiences possible. Current School of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students interested in learning more about Global Gateway September 17 or October 1.