As the days shorten and the weather grows cooler, we’re taking a moment to introduce our Fall 2025 interns! They’ve been hard at work, and to help us all combat the darker days, they shared their secrets for finding comfort and balance. Read our Fall 2025 interns Q&A to discover our interns’ favorite cozy rituals, the easiest things they do for self-care, and what they are most thankful for this year.
Farah Rahman
She/Her
What school do you attend and what are you studying?
I am a student at the University of Maryland, College Park, studying Public Policy. I will finish my undergraduate degree this year, and my Master’s next year!
What’s the easiest, most comforting thing you do for yourself during the transition to the colder, darker days?
I love lighting fall candles when I’m doing my homework, watching a show, eating dinner… basically anything! It helps me feel calm, gives a cozy ambiance to my apartment, and helps me romanticize the little things.
What’s one person or thing you’re grateful for this year?
I am grateful for my roommates and our lovely apartment! They are amazing people to come home to and I can always count on them to uplift me. I show gratitude for them by helping out around the apartment when I know they’re busy, and spending time with them when I can. I was able to get them all bibs for the Philadelphia half-marathon to run with Team Active Minds!
Jada Webb
She/Her
What school do you attend and what are you studying?
I study Mass Communication at North Carolina A&T State University.
What’s the easiest, most comforting thing you do for yourself during the transition to the colder, darker days?
The easiest and most comforting thing I do for myself during the transition into the colder, darker days is letting myself work and relax in bed with a good show or movie playing in the background. It creates a cozy atmosphere that helps me stay grounded and calm, especially when the weather starts to feel heavy or draining. Having something familiar on the screen keeps me relaxed while I get my work done, and it gives me a sense of comfort that makes the seasonal shift feel a little softer.
What’s one person or thing you’re grateful for this year?
I am grateful for my grandparents. They have made my recent transitions feel so much lighter through their guidance, comfort, and grace. They truly are my foundation. I plan to pay that gratitude forward by spending my birthday with them for the first time in fourteen years. I want to not only celebrate my day of birth, but also celebrate the person I am becoming because of their influence.
Ke’Asia Kennedy
She/Her
What school do you attend and what are you studying?
I attend Clark Atlanta University and I’m studying Business Administration with a Marketing concentration.
What’s the easiest, most comforting thing you do for yourself during the transition to the colder, darker days?
During the colder months with darker days, I like to buy myself a pack of Nestle chocolate chip cookies, bake a few, and enjoy them while bundled up and watching a movie.
What’s one person or thing you’re grateful for this year?
Something I’m grateful for is my village. My family and friends have helped me through so much, and to show my gratitude to them, I’ll continue to support them as they’ve done for me.
Mak Kelley
She/Her
What school do you attend and what are you studying?
I attend Purdue University and am studying Psychological Sciences (with a minor in Political Science).
What’s the easiest, most comforting thing you do for yourself during the transition to the colder, darker days?
As the days start to get darker, I practice self-care by making time for my hobbies. Even with a busy schedule, I set aside a few hours each week to embroider, paint, read — anything that focuses on creation, rather than consumption.
What’s one person or thing you’re grateful for this year?
I am beyond grateful for my supervisor (shout out Markie!) for her incredible mentorship over the past few months. Working alongside her has taught me so much about not only mental health advocacy, but about what it is to be a leader. I look forward to utilizing the skills she has instilled in me as I continue striving to enact change in the mental health field.
Samira Nur
She/Her
What school do you attend and what are you studying?
I attend Northwestern University, where I am majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Data Science.
What’s the easiest, most comforting thing you do for yourself during the transition to the colder, darker days?
The easiest and most comforting thing I do for myself when the days get colder and darker is letting myself have slow mornings. I love when it’s chilly outside and I can wrap myself in a blanket, make a warm drink, and just sit for a bit before the day really starts. That quiet moment helps me ease into the season and feel more steady, even when life gets busy.
What’s one person or thing you’re grateful for this year?
One person I am really grateful for this year is my older sister. She is still the first person I call when something exciting happens or when I need someone to talk to. She has the perfect mix of giving great advice, keeping things fun, and always making me laugh. I want to show my gratitude by making sure she knows how much I appreciate her, whether that is through small gestures or simply telling her more often.
Victoria Galante Ruiz
She/Her
What school do you attend and what are you studying?
I attend the University of South Florida, Tampa. I’m double majoring in Economics and Political Science.
What’s the easiest, most comforting thing you do for yourself during the transition to the colder, darker days?
Honestly, my easiest fix is just calling my parents. Speaking to them is an instant light. We talk, I vent, and suddenly everything feels manageable. It is the simplest, most effective reset button I have.
What’s one person or thing you’re grateful for this year, and how will you “pay it forward” or show gratitude?
I’m really grateful I got this internship. It was the main professional goal I set for myself this year, and I truly value the doors and connections it has opened for me. I plan to pay it forward by acting as a resource specifically for international students looking for their first role, sharing the advice and contacts I’ve gained to make that process easier.
Our Spring 2026 Internship Program applications are now closed. Sign up for our mailing list and be the first to hear when Summer 2026 applications open!
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