As part of its internship programme through Notre Dame London, the VHI welcomed two new interns during Lent Term 2025. Now, after a successful term, Tia Mittle and Dora Tomko reflect on their experience.
Tia Mittle, a undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame (USA) from Mumbai, India, studying Global Affairs and Political Science with a minor in International Development Studies, says: “When I first applied for the internship at the Von Hügel Institute, I was drawn by the opportunity to explore a new intellectual space—one that would push me beyond the familiar frameworks of policy and development I had studied. I wanted to challenge myself by engaging with ideas at the intersection of faith, ethics, and human dignity, even if they felt outside my academic comfort zone. The VHI offered exactly that: a space where questions became more important than answers, and where interdisciplinary conversations encouraged me to think more holistically. Immersing myself in this environment has stretched my intellectual boundaries and opened new ways of understanding the world and my role in it.”
She continues, “contributing to the Year of Hope event, I found myself rethinking what ‘hope’ means in our current global context. Amidst today’s overwhelming news cycles, our Monday discussions at the VHI became a refuge—reminding me that hope is an active force that drives critical thinking and meaningful action. Whether we were discussing immigration policies, the role of institutions, technology and A.I., or the enduring relevance of literature, we were always encouraged to ask how these issues impact the human person—not just economically or politically, but spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. It was this framework that helped me find my sense of belonging and pushed me to think more deeply about the kind of change I want to contribute to: one that centers people, relationships, and the belief that transformation begins with empathy and imagination.”
Experiencing life at St Edmund’s College is a significant part of the internship programme: “Outside of the work itself, attending a formal dinner at Cambridge became an unforgettable memory. Sitting in a candlelit hall surrounded by scholars from all over the world made me feel part of something bigger—a tradition of learning, questioning, and community. More than anything, this internship helped me grow both intellectually and personally”. Tia concludes,
my time at Cambridge has deepened my commitment to integral human development and reminded me that hope is not passive. It is a choice—to ask questions, to act with intention, and to build a more dignified world. As I prepare to return home, I know this experience will remain one of the most formative chapters of my undergraduate journey.
Dora Tomko is an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame (USA), studying in the Program of Liberal Studies with minors in History and the Glynn Family Honors Program. She reflects on her decision to join the internship programme at the VHI: “As all the previous interns have said—when I first heard about the VHI internship, I was a bit daunted by the commute and the commitment. Did I really want to spend one day a week so far away from London? Would the internship be worth the long trek out to Cambridge every Monday morning? Now, as I reach the end of the internship, I can attest that the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’. Though I’ve loved my time in central London, the train ride out to Cambridge has become something of a pilgrimage, departing from the hustle and bustle of the busy city to a calmer, greener part of the country. I’ve spent plenty of time at ‘the other place’, but experiencing Cambridge from the inside has opened my eyes to a different side of English academia. Lunchtimes and formal dinners spent meeting students, professors, and colleagues at St Edmund’s and the Von Hugel Institute have afforded me opportunities for connection and conversation which would not have been possible elsewhere. From pitching lectures to poring through archives, the work has been consistently interesting and has afforded me an invaluable inside look into the historical and present functions of the VHI and institutes like it.”
Dora highlights the shared experience and lasting bonds forged by the institute’s research community: “Working with the team at the VHI has been a fabulous experience, and I’ve felt at home in this place from day one, thanks to the kindness of the all the VHI team members. Vittorio, Brigid, Thomas, and Lidia were always ready to challenge us, and to coach us through not only our work at the VHI but also matters academic, vocational, and enjoyable! Reconnecting with a fellow PLSer and a fellow Glyld (Glynn Scholar) in Brian Joseph and Jacob Sherer, studying this year at St Edmund’s, has been amazing, and our conversations about their time here have been both inspiring and informative. Last but certainly not least, one of the best parts about this internship is the six-am bond my fellow intern, Tia Mittle, and I have formed, and I’ll treasure our ice cream and coffee shop adventures in central Cambridge as one of the best parts of my study abroad experience!”
[photo Dora Tomko, left, and Tia Mittle, right]
