At SEU, we’re dedicated to helping students discover their divine design, and one of the ways we do that is through the SEU Link Post-Secondary Transition Program.
The Link program provides post-secondary education that focuses on increasing independence and employability in young adults with mild intellectual disabilities. This unique and exciting program is a great opportunity for students who are looking to hone their skills and grow as individuals in a supportive, Christian environment. In fact, SEU Link is one of the only programs of this type in the nation that incorporates Christian faith as an essential component of the experience.
Featured Student: Aarushi Pratap
Aarushi Pratap is one of many students who has benefited significantly from the Link program. As a second-year student in SEU Link, she’s enjoyed her experience from the start, including the various events she attends with her friends.
“The Link program has helped me build my relationship with God and with my friends. When I first started I was a bit nervous, but I didn’t have any trouble making new friends,” says Aarushi, “So far, my favorite college memories have been going to chapel and The Bash event with them.”
One of the most unique aspects of Link is their internship program, which allows students to gain valuable career experience through internships with various departments and businesses across campus and within the local community.
Aarushi, who plans to pursue a career as a digital designer or clothing boutique owner, has taken advantage of multiple internships throughout her time at Southeastern. She first interned for We Are SEU, the student development marketing department at SEU, where she expanded her creative skillset through digital design, and later worked in the SEU Campus Bookstore.
Currently, Aarushi is interning at Top Buttons, a nonprofit boutique in downtown Lakeland founded by SEU alumna Sarah Powers, as well as KForce, a tech-staffing agency. Aarushi shares about her internship, “I’ve gained a lot of experience with designing and organizing clothes, and I also help with digital design.”
Since discovering her passion for digital design, she has continued to take exciting classes at Southeastern, such as Fundamentals of Digital Design, to further stretch her knowledge.
These internships and classes have paid off immensely. Aarushi was recently selected to contribute to the 2022 logo for the Special Olympics, and she also traveled to New York as a spokesperson to do a live interview with Fox News.
We can’t wait to see how God continues to use Aarushi and her gifts in the future as she pursues her dreams!
By Madi Schaaf, Student Writer
Learn more about the SEU Link Post-Secondary Transition Program
