GVSU housing program serves out-of-state summer interns

College students from around the country are calling Grand Rapids home this summer, thanks to a progressive housing program created by Grand Valley State University.

Nearly 100 students, including 80 non-Grand Valley students from universities such as California State, Northwestern, Miami of Ohio, Indiana State and Clemson, will be completing their internships with local companies this summer while living together on GVSU's campuses. After that, if everything goes as planned, they will fall in love with West Michigan and end up living and working here, happily ever after.

Of course, nothing goes according to plan all the time, but this program is a great way to expose young professionals to West Michigan and everything it has to offer.

The housing program, which is coordinated by GVSU's Career Center and Housing office, began two years ago when Amway Corporation and Grand Valley partnered together to help out-of-state interns find a place to stay while they worked in West Michigan. Beginning with five students the first year, the program grew to 50 the next year and now has almost 100 students with 20 participating companies, including Meijer, Van Andel Institute and Steelcase.

While working here, students will live on the Pew Grand Rapids and Allendale campuses. Rachel Becklin, internship specialist at GVSU, says besides providing the housing, they also try to help with extra-curricular activities. "There is nothing formal but we work in conjunction with Hello West Michigan and try to let interns know what's going on in the city," she says.

To learn more about the program you can contact the GVSU's Career Center and Housing office.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor