Candle Light Cove intern Calvin Bui (right) helps a resident assemble a puzzle at the senior living community in Easton.
At 19, Student Learns Care, Compassion and the Value of Senior Connections
EASTON, Md. – For University of Maryland sophomore Calvin Bui, a summer spent at Candle Light Cove Assisted Living & Memory Care was more than just an internship — it was a return to a place that already felt like home.
Two years ago, Bui first experienced Candle Light Cove as part of a college clinical rotation. The warm, close-knit environment in the senior living community left a lasting impression.
“Candle Light Cove just stood out from my other clinical rotations like the hospital or other nursing homes,” Bui said. “There’s a sense of community and trust among the residents and staff that is hard to find anywhere else. Everyone is so accepting. It feels like a big family.”
That sense of belonging brought him back this summer, even though his academic focus is physical therapy. Through a connection with Candle Light Cove nurse Pamela Startt, he found the perfect public health site for his college project. The team arranged for Bui to shadow visiting physical therapists, providing him with firsthand insight into the evaluation process and exercises designed to help strengthen residents.
But his days at Candle Light Cove extended beyond observing physical therapy sessions. Bui rotated through various roles, shadowing medication technicians, nurses, caregivers, activity managers and physical therapists. The 19-year-old student’s responsibilities ranged from assisting with care to handing out meals, moving residents and participating in activities, most often in the memory care neighborhood.
The experience was enriched by his completion of a five-hour memory care training led by Candle Light Cove Life Stories Director Susan Wolfberg.
“It wasn’t too challenging, but it gave me a renewed perspective when working with residents with memory-related conditions,” Bui said. “It’s helped me provide more empathy when talking or helping them.”
For Bui, the internship was a crash course in both skill-building and compassion. He observed everything from charting resident information to responding to accidents. He also gained a deeper appreciation for the teamwork and communication that keep the community running smoothly.
“My career compass had been blurry and wavering before I came back,” Bui admitted. “This internship has certainly cleared up paths I can take in the future, and it’s revitalized my focus for when I return to college.”
Candle Light Cove’s team has felt his impact as well.
“We’ve been honored to have Calvin return to Candle Light Cove,” said Grace Lyons, Community Relations Director. “His presence has made a lasting impact, as he’s formed meaningful connections with our residents. They’ve enjoyed hearing his story, learning about his goals, and following along as he prepares for a future in physical therapy.”
“We have no doubt that Calvin will excel in his PT program, and we sincerely hope to welcome him back in the future as a licensed physical therapist so he can continue making a difference in the lives of our residents,” Lyons said.
At just 19 years old and preparing to graduate in 2028, Calvin has years of study ahead before entering physical therapy school. But his time at Candle Light Cove has confirmed one thing: wherever his career takes him, caring for people — especially seniors — will be at the heart of his work.
For more information, contact Grace Lyons, Community Relations Director, Candle Light Cove, at glyons@integracare.com or call 410.770.9707.