Liberal Arts student intern advocates for human rights in South Africa

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Traveling to different countries and familiarizing himself with new cultures and customs is not a new idea to Ima Bazan, a fourth-year Penn State student double-majoring in global and international studies and international politics, who’s also pursuing a master's degree in international affairs.

Born in Spain to Argentinian parents, Bazan grew up in Venezuela before moving to Mexico and Germany and settling in the United States. This immersion in so many cultures and languages eventually inspired him to pursue an education that combined his passions for politics and humanitarianism, he said.

“The exposure and experience at a young age encouraged me to meet people from different places and learn about different cultures, beliefs, religions and traditions,” said Bazan.

Thus, when he learned about an internship with the Justice Desk Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, he said he simply had to "go for it." The human-rights nonprofit organization empowers everyday activists to fight gender-based violence and toxic masculinity and provide positive role models for individuals throughout South African townships.

As a human-rights intern, Bazan focused on the iNtsika yeThemba Project, which works with boys affected by gender-based violence. Specifically, the project addresses toxic masculinity and educates boys about human rights through bi-weekly sessions, explained Bazan.

“I coordinated the logistics for the teaching sessions and took pre- and post-session notes on how the boys reacted or could potentially react to the sessions,” said Bazan. “One of my first tasks was to write out 10 affirmations, and at the time, I did not understand their importance or significance.”

After finally attending one of the sessions, Bazan realized his work was paying off, he said. In the “opening circle” of the session, the boys began calling out the same affirmations Bazan wrote, all from their hearts and memories.

“It made me realize the things I was working on daily positively impacted this group of boys,” said Bazan. “I had goosebumps, and it felt rewarding to see how my work affected this community that has gone through so much at a young age.”

While in South Africa, Bazan also took advantage of all the free time granted to him — from overnight safaris to attending a “MasterChef”-style cooking class at Food Jams, there was no activity he didn’t enjoy. Through them, he said, he built lasting relationships with fellow interns and students who shared the same housing accommodations.

Bazan received scholarships and grants from the College of the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network that covered almost all his expenses abroad, he said. That support was not only financial, but social, too. Katie Wysocki, director of the Career Enrichment Network and Lauren Granese, assistant director of the Career Enrichment Network, helped prepare him for the internship interview process and gave him tips and tricks to ace it.

“The support I received allowed me to succeed,” said Bazan. “I was confident in my interview, and I did not have to worry about paying or asking my parents to help pay for this opportunity. I focused solely on my work and immersing myself in this new culture.”

Because he dreams of one day becoming a U.S. ambassador, Bazan said he knew interning abroad would open the door to learning about the African continent, home to many cultures and languages that he had no experience with prior.

Bazan also takes any opportunity on campus to be a representative for others and advocate for positive change in the community, he said. He currently serves as the president of ServeState, a community service organization that serves the State College community through philanthropic efforts. He also serves as a peer adviser within the College of the Liberal Arts, supporting and guiding other students through opportunities for social and academic engagement.

“I want to advocate for future endeavors and see how things can be changed for the better for the students and those I represent,” he said. “All of this pushes me to be who I am today, and I feel like I would not be able to be where I am and who I am if it were not for my involvement.”