International Affairs Major ‘I Feel Endlessly Grateful for All of the Ways the University Has Prepared Me’

For Samuel Weinmann ’24, his time as a Charger went far beyond the classroom. The “incredible experiences” he’s had have connected him with supporters and mentors that include his professors and University benefactors. They’ve also brought him around the world.

Weinmann has been an active member of the University’s award-winning Model United Nations program since his first year. He advanced from delegate to head delegate, serving as a leader and mentor to his teammates and helping them to build their own skills. He’s taken part in seven conferences during his time in the program, including four as a head delegate. One of the most memorable trips brought him halfway around the world where he explored Japan’s historical sites, tried new foods, and experienced history in a way that he’d never imagined.

While studying abroad at the University’s campus in Prato, Italy, Weinmann took every opportunity to immerse himself in the culture. An Italian language intern, he took part in the University’s Conversation Exchange Program, which partners Chargers with local high school students. He also enjoyed connecting with members of the local community.

“A favorite memory of mine was when I was studying abroad in Prato and volunteered to be on the set crew for an Italian theater troupe,” he recalls. “As someone who loves learning languages, I found that being able to immerse myself in Italian culture and language – and to feel a part of a community so far from home – was a magical experience.”

‘These incredible experiences’

Weinmann will accept his bachelor’s degree in international affairs as part of the University’s 2024 Commencement, which will take place over three days in May on the main campus in West Haven, Conn. He’s currently in Washington, D.C., for the semester as part of the Washington Internship Institute program, interning for Voice of America. It’s one of several internships Weinmann has completed as a Charger. He’s also interned for the West Haven Mayor’s Office, the University’s Mayor’s Advisory Commission, and Pratosfera, a newspaper publisher in Prato.

Passionate about journalism, Weinmann has been an active member of the University’s Charger Bulletin, serving as managing editor of the newspaper and as executive editor of the student-run Horseshoe Magazine.

“I feel endlessly grateful for all of the ways the University has prepared me beyond the classroom,” said Weinmann, who has also helped organize WestFest, an annual festival in West Haven that celebrates the relationship between the University and the city while raising money for a local food pantry. “All these incredible experiences would not be possible without my mentors Dr. Chris Haynes and Professor Susan Campbell, as well as the alumni who have given me support and the donors who continue to help fund the Model UN program, such as Philip and Susan Bartels, Carolyn Brehm, and Richard Boucher.”

‘The same support that I have been lucky enough to have’

Weinmann’s favorite memories of his time at the University include sharing his passions for language and learning with his fellow Chargers. As a Learning Assistant for the University’s Center for Learning Resources, he’s helped his classmates learn Italian, both in Italy and in the U.S. He also served as a tutor in the University’s Writing Center. He’s been drawing on his experiences as a student as he determines his career goals.

“My plans are to find employment in communications or journalism, or a position in higher education to continue the work I have done working with students throughout college,” he said. “I love to write articles, but I am equally passionate about trying to help the future generation of students succeed, and giving them the same support that I have been lucky enough to have throughout college.”