The flexible schedule and talking with citizenship students
What I wish was different
I interned online and enjoyed it, but I would have enjoyed experiencing in-person
Advice
Be prepared to learn the ins and outs of the naturalization process
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Family Center Intern
June - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
I loves seeing how the amazing work that KRM does is made possible. I got a behind-the-scenes look at how an NGO is funded, manages its clients, facilitates integration into the host community (school registration, food cards, etc.), and put out fires on a daily basis. There was a real sense of community, and the clients and staff at KRM welcome everyone with a smile and compassion.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had more time to devote to it to feel even more integrated into the KRM community. I completed 100 hours, but that was normally 2 days per week.
Advice
Be prepare to make lasting cross-cultural connections and have a few adventures along the way.
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Youth Services Intern
May - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
I loved coordinating with my supervisors to plan and implement the Summer Youth Program for the refugee children! After the summer program, which lasted 5 weeks, we worked on registering all the children (over 500!) with the local school system, ensuring their bus location, and connecting them with resources to obtain uniforms and school supplies. During my internship, I fostered many close friendships with the clients at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and I was able to learn how international relations affect human rights.
What I wish was different
I wish there had been a stipend for interns because I worked over 300 hours unpaid. It is difficult for college students to pay the bills, especially when we're doing work for free. Other than that, I wish I could have spent more time at my internship. I worked 3 days a week there, and 3 days a week at my paying job. However, if there had been a stipend, I may have been able to spend more time at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and less at my work.
Advice
Be open to learning about other cultures! It may be helpful to learn some basic phrases in a few different languages, such as Arabic, Swahili, and Spanish. It is also necessary to be flexible, because your tasks can change at the drop of a hat!
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Case Manager Intern
May - August 2018 • Lexington, KY
What I liked
Seeing how immigration law operates and what programs are applicable to someone in a completely different culture and country
