Join us as we continue to hear from our students who completed internships this past spring semester! Both graduate and undergraduate student worked in the field of historical spaces in a variety of capacities. This blog post is authored by History BA student, Ava Rybka, who also helps run the Department’s social media channels, and has been an active member of the BGSU Latino Issues Conference steering committee.

I am a history major with a Latin minor. I have a strong research interest in 20^th century Latin American history, especially its relation to Catholicism, indigeneity, human rights, and grassroots organization. I hope to pursue a postgraduate degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies. 

I am a long-term collaborator with the Guatemala Solidarity Project (GSP), a non-profit solidarity organization that partners with Indigenous communities in Guatemala. The GSP supports Indigenous communities in their fight to protect their culture, language, and land from centuries of genocidal violence. I started volunteering for the GSP May of 2025 and plan on continuing to support the GSP for as long as possible. The GSP is based in Guatemala; however, I largely work remotely. 

My responsibilities in the GSP are ever changing to match the complex, ever-evolving situation in Guatemala. Currently, I am an intern manager, helping and facilitating the work of our short-term collaborators. I also work in the GSP’s social media sector, where we publicize a variety of issues including recent forced evictions, violence, major political events, etc.

I was interested in collaborating with the GSP because I am passionate about modern Guatemalan history, Guatemalan post-war transitional efforts, and the fight for justice regarding the genocide of the Guatemalan Civil War. The GSP offers a chance for me to do meaningful work in the areas I am most passionate about. 

Being a history student working for the GSP has revealed to me how important history is to contemporary discussion of geopolitical issues, policymaking, and how to best support marginalized communities. Topics that have been discussed in class, and I did research projects on, such as the 1996 Peace Accords, Victoria 82, the 1954 coup, etc., are discussed within the organization frequently. It has allowed me to understand how historical narratives shape present realities more deeply; historians have a responsibility to connect rigorous research with ethical engagement, ensuring that the histories of marginalized communities inform contemporary conversations about justice and accountability. This will help me in my career, as I seek to align myself with Latin American NGOs and nonprofits after I have finished postgraduate studies.