Anticipating Calamities
Senior studies how New Zealand prepares for the worst
Jentry Schirmbeck ’18 is exploring emergency management, homeland security and public safety in a six-week study away program in New Zealand.
A transfer student from Palatine, Schirmbeck is intrigued by the career possibilities. The Massey University course starts with a two-week study tour of urban and wilderness sites to demonstrate how New Zealand prepares for potential economic and environmental disasters and recovery.
Next comes a four-week internship in the capital city of Wellington at a government organization such as an emergency management or public safety office or critical infrastructure provider.
Schirmbeck said she enjoyed working with community members when she participated in Habitat for Humanity programs in Texas and South Carolina. “Working with government agencies and the communities they support is a version of that,” she said.
After the summer program, Schirmbeck plans to complete her degree requirements at Bond University outside Brisbane, Australia, and then find a job or internship for the Spring Term. Along the way she’ll explore the Australian Outback and give surfing a try.
Schirmbeck inherited the travel bug from her mom, who studied abroad when she was in college and kept in touch with friends from her program in England.
I grew up hearing stories [about] how incredible it is to travel.
Jentry on why she chose to study abroad
Settling on a major took some twists and turns. Schirmbeck started her undergraduate career as a music major, shifted to psychology, and then settled on exercise science when she learned the field offered opportunities to help people. She added minors in business and dance, and “everything fell into place.”