Rising senior Madison VanDyke scored big this summer by landing a coveted internship with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City, Missouri.
“This opportunity will definitely help with my future career,” the St. Peters, Missouri, resident majoring in global and transnational studies reflects. “This role has given me the opportunity to interact with people from, quite literally, everywhere across the globe.”
The interview process for the World Cup internship was intense, beginning in August 2025, yet VanDyke persevered thanks to Westminster faculty who remained flexible when assignments conflicted with her schedule.
Then VanDyke was offered the experience of a lifetime.
A special skill set she brought to the organization — her self-taught knowledge of the Dutch language — made her indispensable as a World Cup intern.
“I have tons of books for Dutch language learning and books written in Dutch,” she explains offhandedly. The Remley Intern and Student Ambassador minoring in political science began studying the language in high school because her of interest in her family’s Dutch heritage.
Little did VanDyke know that her niche interest would lead to escorting Dutch fans hailing from the Netherlands and Curaçao to Arrowhead Stadium, happily translating for them while soaking up every minute of World Cup mania.
“Soccer is a massive part of many cultures across the world, so getting to see the excitement and passion from fans was a major benefit of the experience,” she reflects, adding that a surprise bonus was working alongside two Westminster alumni, Chase ’97 and Allison (Moody) Drew ’96.
After such an intense experience, most college students might plan on relaxing before the fall semester begins on Aug. 19.
Yet VanDyke has other plans.
She states decisively, “I’m working towards learning Swahili next to help me with my future career in human rights.”
We can’t wait to see where VanDyke’s language skills and Westminster education take her next!
Are you a Westminster student who is looking for an internship? Westminster might have one to fit your needs! Please reach out to Heather Stewart, Internship Coordinator, at Heather.Stewart@WCMO.edu or 573-592-5368.
Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.
