Kristy Van Lanen
- West De Pere, Wis.
- BSW (bachelor of social work)
- What's next: Redeploying to Iraq in January 2008, then pursuing a master's degree in social work
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Kristy Van Lanen with one of the children at the Durban Children's Home in South Africa. (Contributed photo)
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Kristy Van Lanen is the first to say she's had anything but a "normal" undergraduate experience.
Van Lanen, who will graduate with a social work degree, first enrolled at UW-Eau Claire in 2000. Since then she's had at least as much real-life experience in her chosen field as she's had classroom instruction.
During her sophomore year, Van Lanen joined the Army Reserve. She was called to duty in Iraq at the end of that year and served 15 months conducting infrastructure assessments and coordinating resources to support reconstruction activities. She returned home for six months, then volunteered to serve 13 months in Kosovo as a civil affairs sergeant working with various youth groups and nongovernmental organizations.
Once she returned to her studies at UW-Eau Claire, she simultaneously attended massage therapy classes in Green Bay, which required a three-hour trip across the state each afternoon and again each morning.
Van Lanen has spent her final semester completing an internship at Durban Children’s Home in South Africa. Her work there has involved client management, working with a drug rehabilitation program, and working many hours in a special needs unit for HIV-positive children.
Following a second military tour in Iraq following graduation, Van Lanen plans to apply to graduate school for a master's degree in social work.
"I now know that international social work is my passion," Van Lanen said in an interview for an upcoming issue of The View, UW-Eau Claire's printed alumni magazine. "I love working in different countries and helping people. I plan to continue doing social work in other places around the world, hopefully to make the world a better place to live."
More on Kristy Van Lanen
Future plans: I will be deploying to Iraq again in January of 2008. When I return, I plan on applying for graduate school at UW-Green Bay for my master’s in social work. I would like my focus to be with children and families. I have really enjoyed my time in South Africa as a social work student. As a result, I would like to continue with international social work in various places around the world.
What she liked most about her time at UW-Eau Claire: I have really enjoyed all the support I received from both the staff and students after coming back from my military tours. The staff at UW-Eau Claire is incredible and has helped me in so many ways. I could never thank them enough for not only ensuring all of my paperwork was complete, but offering me the emotional support to keep on going. Coming back to Eau Claire as a nontraditional student and experiencing all that I did during my time overseas was not easy. However, the students were very accepting and gave me the encouragement to continue with my dreams.
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire: My belief in life is that you should always experience as much as you can. Thus, my years at UW-Eau Claire have always been very active. My freshman and sophomore years were spent in the dorms, where I made many great friends. I was an active member of the Association of Student Social Workers (ASSW), officer of the Student Homeless Awareness Chapter (SHAC), Scuba Club, and played various intramural sports. I am also currently completing my social work internship in Africa. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UW-Eau Claire and can look back at all the great years I had there.
Proudest college accomplishments: My proudest moment was being accepted to the social work internship in South Africa. That has been my dream since I first found out about the opportunity in 2000 from my adviser. While it has been very challenging at times, I have learned so much from my experiences. I have worked with teenagers who have drug problems, kids who grew up in the streets, children who are HIV-positive and kids who are now orphans. With each new contact, I am learning something new. My experiences have not only made me grow as a social worker, but have also shaped my perspectives about life.
Advice for incoming students: My advice to incoming students is to never give up, no matter how many challenges you face. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible. I also believe that going to college is not only about getting a good education, but about learning about life. It is a time to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. Embrace every new experience you can and never be afraid of trying. It is only in not trying that we fail.
Learn about other featured December 2007 graduates
