McMaster Humanities Student Recognized for Outstanding Internship with YMCA Beyond the Bell®

Hannah Seo, a humanities student from McMaster University, has been named one of two recipients of the 2025 Humanities Intern – Student of the Year Award for her impactful internship with YMCA Beyond the Bell®.

During her placement, Hannah worked as an educator supporting children in after‑school learning enrichment programs. 

“My role involved facilitating activities, helping with homework, encouraging participation, and creating a welcoming space where students felt supported,” she said. 

Her experience aligned closely with her future goals, as Hannah hopes to pursue a career in education.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the internship for Hannah was building connections with students. 

“Each child brought their own personality, strengths, and challenges,” she shared. “Seeing their bright smiles at the end of the day was always the highlight of my day.”

The experience also came with challenges, particularly adapting to the different needs of each child and navigating days when plans didn’t unfold as expected.

“Every day was different, and each student required a different approach,” Hannah explained. 

“It pushed me to develop patience and stronger communication skills, which are important qualities for my future career as a teacher.”

Hannah also took on a leadership role by supporting Beyond the Bell’s Early Literacy Intervention. Her supervisor, Patrick, highlighted her initiative and adaptability. 

“Hannah has been a committed and engaged educator from the very beginning,” he said. “She consistently brought her own creative approach and was always eager to learn and improve.”

As part of the literacy project, Hannah helped transform learning materials into accessible training resources, presenting to over 24 educators and supporting literacy assessments for more than 150 students. 

“She welcomed constructive feedback and took meaningful action to grow in her role,” Patrick added.

Reflecting on the experience, Hannah encourages other students to pursue internships. 

“It provides real‑world experience and helps clarify career goals,”

“This internship strengthened my desire to become a teacher and gave me skills I’ll carry into my future classroom.”

Hannah’s recognition highlights the power of experiential learning, and the meaningful impact students can make through YMCA Beyond the Bell.