Alliance for Catholic Education
Through Notre Dame’s Frassati Internship, I spent the summer living and working in Chicago—exploring a new city while gaining valuable experience working in the IT Department at the Archdiocese of Chicago. Outside of work, I made it a goal to soak in as much of the city as I could, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Here are a few highlights from my time in the Windy City.
One of the first things we got to do in the city was attend the Pope Leo XIV celebration at White Sox Stadium. Even though the event was sold out, we were lucky enough to be offered tickets by the Archdiocese on our very first day in the office! The day was full of energy and joy, with music, performances by Catholic school students, Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cupich, and even a live-streamed message from Pope Leo XIV.
Chicago has so many museums, and I was determined to explore as many as I could. I was especially excited to see the towering dinosaurs at the Field Museum and the incredible variety of plants and animals at the Shedd Aquarium. I also visited the smaller Jane Addams Hull-House Museum on the University of Illinois Chicago’s campus, where I got to dive into the city’s rich history of social reform.
We found so much to do at the classic tourist spots! Of course, we had to visit the Bean and the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park—but while we were there, we stumbled upon a live symphony concert and later returned to watch The Sandlot under the stars, along with what felt like the whole city. Navy Pier was another favorite, and the fireworks show (which we could hear from our apartment every Wednesday and Saturday night) definitely lived up to the hype.
Some of the most beautiful architecture in the city was found right in our own office. The Quigley Center stood out among the nearby luxury car dealerships, restaurants, and skyscrapers with its quiet strength and grounded presence. Inside, the Saint James Chapel offered a stunning and peaceful setting for daily Mass during the lunch hour each day.
From the highest point in the city to the lake shore, Chicago’s skyline is a sight to behold. Though I didn’t climb any (literal) mountains this summer, the skyline certainly challenged me to set my sights high and my ambitions higher.
