Bulldogs Class of 2004
When I considered a summer internship, I wanted to know what I would be getting from the position, especially if it was not well-paid. But here in Louisville, in addition to the salary and housing, I found myself reaping many unexpected benefits. I found a common interest in horses with my employer, Leslie, who helped me find a place to fide for free. I played a little bit of polo, in exchange for barn work. With my mentor, I found a common interest in jewelry making and good seafood.
I have to admit, though, that without a car, given my interest in horse activities, I would never have connected so well with the city and region. Since I was able to drive around, I can really see myself living here, because many of the things I enjoy proved to be very accessible. At this point, I sincerely feel that I would come back to Louisville if the right job opportunity arises after graduation.
Emily Wang
Bulldogs in the Bluegrass has shown me another place that I could call home. I have always lived in Texas, and while I love where I grew up, I have wanted to try living other places. I knew that when it came time for college it was time to move on and pack my bags for a new place. For the past two years, I have found myself living in the Northeast, an area of the country that I had only visited. This summer, Louisville proved to me that it can be known and liked for more than fast horses and bluegrass. Once again, I was proven wrong; I thought that we as Yalies had something to offer to the city, but in fact Louisville had something to offer to us. This summer, I got to explore more of the outdoors than I ever have since I was in Girl Scouts. While I did get to see some of those fast horses at Churchill Downs (and win some money in the process), I also was able to become part of a community that loved to be involved. Through my job, I learned about the unity and understanding that Cathedral Heritage Foundation works to foster every year. I could see the visible effects of people that simply wanted to make their home a better place to live in and had the opportunity to do so. The mentors, alumni, and other people opened their hearts and homes to allow me to see a little big city in a Southern but not quite Southern state as a place I could call home. Rowan made this summer all possible with a little help from some big watermelons.
Vanessa Mason
I had high hopes for this summer, and my time in Louisville actually exceeded all of my greatest expectations. I had an absolutely amazing time. I got to know the city and the peopleso well - not just my fellow Bulldogsbut also the mentors, coworkers, and random people I met at the gym and in restaurants. Being surrounded by so many interesting and warm people made the summer unforgettable as we shared all of the experiences together. I especially loved the trip to Whitesburg. While almost all of the Bulldogs were camping and partying atop a mountain nearby, I stayed with the Richardsons and got to know the couple very well. We stayed up talking until at least 2 a.m. both nights, and I enjoyed just being with them. They are incredible people and made me feel at home. Bill told me that it was like having a daughter in the house again, while Josephine hugged me three times before letting me leave. Just spending one weekend with them added so much to my summer, and I already can’t wait to see them again when they visit New Haven.
I loved the more impromptu parts of the summer, as well. One night my friends and I decided to have a picnic at St. James Court, near Central Park. We got sandwiches at subway and just sat on blankets by the fountain while we talked and rolled around with laughter. Another favorite event of mine was fishing at the Wheeler’s. I really did not even enjoy the fishing at all (it was my first and hopefully last time), but it was great talking to the couple and sharing a KFC and watermelon feast on the porch.
Louisville became my home this summer, and the Bulldogs my family. The program does such an amazing job welcoming Yalies to the area and providing us with so many opportunities to get acquainted with Kentucky and the chances to really form strong bonds with each other. I am so sad to leave Louisville but cannot wit to get back to Yale, where I can continue all of these friendships that formed over the summer.
Rachel Dickens
Having lived in Louisville with my family for a short time, coming to Louisville for the summer was less about exploring a new place as it was about rediscovering a familiar one. I knew about all the parks and golf courses and about the building with the big dome on top, but I realized pretty quickly that Louisville was a whole new place the second time around. With GLI, I have had the opportunity to see the city change from the inside, and I could not have hoped for a more meaningful internship. But more than anything, this summer has allowed me to discover what a great community Louisville has to offer. Nowhere else in my life have I encountered a group of people so committed to improving the lives of those around them. From cooking breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House and building a playground at the Home of the Innocents to being treated to baseball games, dinners, and a day of betting at Churchill Downs, I have experienced both sides of the generosity this community has to offer. I am so grateful for the people I have met, and for the experiences I have had. It often makes me wonder what it would be like to experience Louisville for the third time around.
Whitney Gratrix
I could feel that the day promised great things, but never in my wildest dreams could I have foreseen it as one of the best days of my life. Every second is ingrained in my memory, and they are each so perfect that time will never tarnish them. The Sunday I spent at Churchill Downs was more than a leisurely day at the horse tracks. It was a day of learning about myself and the risks I am willing to take, discovering a new hobby, getting to know more about my fellow Bulldogs, and being inspired by one of the most generous people I have ever had the honor of meeting. I think back on how I rushed endlessly from the paddock to the betting booth in the track, clutching my tickets and mint julep, laughing and joking with so many Bulldogs, and I can’t help but smile at the memory. I eagerly anticipate the coming horse racing season, because I’m now hooked on the sport and hope to follow my favorite jockeys from that day. I realized how generosity is what makes this world a beautiful place and how contagious and rewarding the act of doing good towards others can be. That day was, simply stated, magical and surreal for me. This day and sentiment epitomizes my overall feeling about this summer. I cannot imagine having spent it any other way. Thank you so very much!
Maria Muller
Within three days of arriving, two tornado warnings, and one misguided trip in search of Target – I knew that I was in a place like no other. The police car eased up behind my little station wagon and flashed its lights. I froze in panic and quickly pulled over. I frantically kept trying to recall any possible traffic offenses that I may have committed and kept coming up short. Having never been pulled over before this was new territory, the cop approached my car and told me that I looked lost and asked me if I needed directions. A few quick minutes later, I had an escort to Target and the assurance that this was not going to be your average summer.
Erin Walsh
In short, this summer was “finer than frog’s hair”. That’s pretty fine. I traveled the state far and wide through my internship, ate lots of bbq, learned lots about horse racing and bourbon, and made some new friends.
Sarah Matheson
This summer I had a good job, enjoyed the great activities and met amazing people. I’m writing this on my last full day in Louisville, and the poetry is not really flowing from my pen, but I will say this: summer internships are always touch and go, and I am so happy to have participated in a program that I have enjoyed so much.
I think I still look back to the canoe trip as my favorite Bulldogs experience. I twas a beautiful day, we had all only known each other for a week, so there was a lot of excitement in the air just from getting to know new people. The water was high I the river, and almost EVERYBODY went over at least once. Although for some people it was a rough time, I think at the end of the day we were satisfied, and had grown closer together.
Another great time was Tuesday of the last week over at my mentor’s place. It was a warm summer night, there were 9 Bulldogs, and Rowan, we grilled out and then sang songs and played instruments as night fell around us.
In the end, isn’t it all about having the good stories to tell – to know that you did things that were fun and worthwhile? Well this summer will bring back a lot of happy memories, and going forward, I can’t ask for anything more.
Alex Dadok
Part of my job in the public affairs office of the American Printing House of the Blind is to give tours. My first tour to an actual blind person happened around week three – two older blind women came down from Chicago for a tour, and my tour ended in the museum, where many 3-dimensional maps are on display. One of the women asked whether we had a map of Europe (indeed, we did) and requested that I take her hand over the map and tell her where the countries are located. She said that World War II was her favorite subject to red about, but she had never felt a map of Europe. I was truly able to open up a part of the world that was inaccessible to her. This great feeling of helpfulness and self-worth was possible through my job, which I never would have heard of 00 were it not for the amazing Bulldogs I the Bluegrass program.
Gary Gregoricka
I can’t help but compare my experience this summer to my experience two years back. Doing the program for a second time made me realize how important the group dynamic is to the success of the program. My impression was that this year’s group was a lot more cohesive and group events were more fun. This is obviously not an aspect of the program that is under the organizer’s control, but 6 –7 years of experience may have led to some insight into what selective process yields the best results. Keeping the size of the group at 30 is of course one aspect of this.
The other major change that I observed was in downtown Louisville, which is a lot more active now than it was two years earlier. Fourth Street Live has really livened up the place, and continued efforts at developing the downtown can keep and attract a lot more people of our age to Louisville.
Mahesh Balakrishnan
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