Announcement
Allie (center) working with newcomer students in the IRC's elementary after-school program.
Photo: IRC
Youth Program Intern Allie reflects on her experience serving at the IRC. Interested in joining the IRC's outstanding team of volunteers and interns? Click here to find out how!
After graduating college in 2017, I felt somewhat adrift. I knew I wanted to help immigrants and refugees have successful lives in the United States. I felt passionate about helping our nation’s newest members feel welcomed, safe, and supported; however, I struggled to apply what I had learned in school with these passions. Eventually, I decided my best course of action was to learn more about the groups I wanted to serve and what organizations were already doing. I was thrilled to accept an internship with such a dedicated organization as the IRC.
I was a little nervous about my new role as an intern with the IRC in Seattle’s youth program. I had little formal teaching experience and education was not a career I’d considered. I knew the students I’d be working with would be experiencing unique challenges. I was also apprehensive about “burn out” which I’d read is common among teachers and social workers. As a sensitive person, would I be able to handle this kind of work? Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect from my new students or myself. At that point in time, I would have never guessed how much the students would surprise me – and how much I would surprise myself.
Over the course of seven months, I got to know fourteen remarkable children. These fourteen individuals are some of the most amazing, kindhearted, intelligent, and motivated people I know. Sure, just like with any group of children, they have meltdowns and arguments. They are all still learning how to be school children in the United States and their past experiences can add stress and complexity to their lives. Stepping into our classroom at times, all one might see is chaos and emotions running high. But as you get to know the students, you also notice the concern and empathy they have for each other. When one of the girls is hurt or upset, there is an immediate surge of support from the other girls. When one of the youngest boys is having a tough day, the other students will choose to sit with him instead of joining in the other activities.
The children in our class have the best smiles. They love playing little jokes on me and being silly. They love learning about new languages and cultures, and some are even picking up Spanish while also improving their English. One week, we watched music videos and performances from around the world. They were thrilled when a Bollywood dance group from the University of Washington taught them some new dance moves. I have greatly enjoyed watching their excitement and interest in learning grow over these past seven months.
Looking back at my internship experience, I definitely felt burnt out at times. Some days I even came home and cried. More often than not, though, after a difficult day I came home and thought: What can I do better? How can I help more next time? These children gave me a sense of hope and purpose. They can go out and change the world and I can help empower them. I hope each and every one of them goes on to live rich, full lives. If I can have a part in making that possible, I will feel that my life, too, has been a success.
Every ounce of energy I put into this program was absolutely worth it and I wouldn’t change a thing. It is because of the experiences I had during this internship that I have decided to become an educator – a label I never considered before, but now feel completely comfortable in. I also want to start my own nonprofit, so I can continue to help children achieve their highest potential, no matter their background or the difficulties they may be currently facing.
I have often heard the phrase “children are the future,” but I never fully understood the sentiment until now.