In March 2022, the University of Notre Dame and St Edmund’s College signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). As part of the MOU, during Michaelmas Term 2022, the Von Hügel Institute for Critical Catholic Inquiry hosted the first Notre Dame intern, Katherine Pardy.

A Junior studying Neuroscience and Behaviour, with minors in Theology and Poverty Studies, Pardy played an important role in developing frameworks for a variety of VHI projects. She has since returned to the United States, but remains a volunteer with the VHI — her Cambridge experience having changed her perspectives and trajectories:

“[My career goal] definitely was to become a doctor going into college,” she said “but, honestly, I feel like every single time that I [went] to Cambridge, every day I spen[t] in that city, I just learn[ed] more and realize[d] how many thousands of paths there are. [It] expanded my entire worldview. I’m in a spot now where I have no idea where I want to go. But I’m very excited to just take it a step at a time and see what opportunities are out there. [It’s] made me consider possibilities such as living abroad or doing a PhD.”

Read more about Katherine Pardy’s experience at the VHI and ongoing collaborations between the University of Notre Dame and St Edmund’s College.