Utah Tech Student Kylee Newsome pilots criminal justice Amsterdam exchange program
By Kaylee Cluff
Criminal Justice major travels abroad
Kylee Newsome, an intern with Utah Tech’s Digital Forensic Crime Lab, had the unique opportunity to spend six weeks at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences this summer. She spent this time exploring the Forensic Sciences program and piloting an upcoming student exchange program between Utah Tech University and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
While Newsome’s emphasis at Utah Tech is Digital Forensics and Defense, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences emphasized additional programs, broadening Newsome’s knowledge of forensics studies. Newsome watched students participate in a mock fire crime scene investigation, listened to graduate students present their thesis projects, and gave a briefing to the Dutch students on American Universities and career paths post-graduation. Newsome was also able to make connections with the Netherlands Forensic Institute and tour a local police department as part of this opportunity.
For Newsome, Amsterdam offered a well-rounded experience beyond classroom studies, with weekend trips to Germany and Belgium, a river cruise, and time to immerse herself in a new culture. According to Newsome, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. “Amsterdam was an amazing experience where I was able to learn about other forensic sciences like biology and chemistry. It was a good way to broaden my knowledge of the field that I am studying.”
Director of the Digital Forensics Crime Lab Mark Spooner spent months coordinating with staff and professors at the Amsterdam University of Applied Forensic Sciences and making the necessary connections for this opportunity. Spooner hopes Newsome’s trip will pave the way for future Utah Tech and Amsterdam students to experience this rewarding exchange.
“I am very proud that as the lab director I am able to provide world-class opportunities to our students that will differentiate them from their peers upon their graduation,” Spooner said. “Kylee excelled in her internship at the University of Amsterdam, and we are both excited to see her flourish after this opportunity.”
