We are excited to introduce our spring intern, Caitlyn Newton, a senior at Grand Valley State University. Caitlyn is majoring in Anthropology with a double minor in Archaeology and History, bringing a strong passion for cultural history to our team.
Caitlyn has taken a variety of engaging courses at GVSU, with some of her favorites including Archaeology of the Middle East and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Gender. She particularly enjoyed learning about early civilizations and even had the chance to write in cuneiform. Her studies have given her a deep appreciation for societies outside of Western culture.
Last summer, Caitlyn had the incredible opportunity to intern in Portugal, where she worked on a Roman Iron Age settlement excavation. During her four-week internship, she gained hands-on experience in field excavation and museum collections while immersing herself in Portuguese culture. She found the close-knit community in Redondo, Portugal especially meaningful and enjoyed learning about the country’s history and traditions—including the local cuisine!
Caitlyn is no stranger to international travel. Having visited Portugal, Spain, England, Scotland, and South Africa, she has developed a broad cultural perspective. In fact, she was born in South Africa and moved to the United States as a one-year-old. Her family hails from Durban, a city with a strong English influence.
Originally from Illinois, Caitlyn chose to attend GVSU partly because of her sister’s influence and the university’s ideal location. She enjoys the balance of a rural setting with city life just a short drive away, calling it “the best of both worlds.”
During her internship, Caitlyn is cataloging items in our collection and working on oral history projects, including interviews conducted in 2021 with Jack Van Eden and Les Hoogland. She was drawn to the internship because it allows her to explore both anthropology and history—two fields she’s passionate about. Caitlyn particularly enjoys working with historical materials and learning more about Dutch heritage in Michigan.
As she nears graduation, Caitlyn is considering her next steps. She is currently exploring museum jobs and contemplating graduate school, while also deciding whether to stay in Michigan or return to Illinois. Whatever path she chooses, we have no doubt that she will make a meaningful impact in the field of history.
We are thrilled to have Caitlyn on board this spring and look forward to seeing where her journey takes her next!
