Summer 2024 Internship Reflections
08/16/2024
Exodus offers many incredible internship opportunities across many different departments to learn about the refugee resettlement process and gain hands-on experience in non-profit work. We asked a few of our summer 2024 interns, Julisa (J) and Nithin (N), Shonda (S), a few questions about their time at Exodus so you can get to know more about them and the internship opportunities available!
1.Tell us a little about yourself.
J: My name is Julisa, and I am the Development Intern at Exodus! I am an upcoming second-year student at the University of Chicago planning to major in Religious Studies.
N: My name is Nithin. I am an undergraduate going into my senior year at IU-Bloomington majoring in International Studies and Political Science. I am an intern for the Legal Support Program here at Exodus.
S: My name is Shonda. I attend Indiana Wesleyan University and am studying Social Work. I am an intern for the Youth Program.
2. What are your responsibilities as an intern?
J: On the volunteerism end, I assisted with one-on-one matches between volunteers and clients and helped coordinate efforts for the volunteer team. I also assisted at community outreach events and speaking engagements by speaking with the community about the work Exodus does and how people can support our resettlement efforts. On the event-planning end, I assisted in planning Exodus’ two major events: World Refugee Day and the Celebrate the Life Ahead Gala, including the Gala’s silent auction. I also helped create content for social media and the Exodus website, including drafting client stories.
N: As an intern, I assisted the legal assistants and attorneys primarily by preparing legal documents for client claims and managing case files. I also helped translate client documents, and on occasion I researched and wrote country conditions reports to aid attorneys they work with clients from that region. As an intern, I also got the opportunity to shadow the attorneys when meeting with clients, and I have guided clients as they apply to adjust their immigration status.
S: As an intern in the Youth Program, I got to work with families and children to enroll in school, taught about U.S. schools and culture through Youth Cultural Orientations, attended and brainstormed about Youth Mentoring Program events, and assist families with their various needs regarding school/educational needs. I was able to use my creativity to help develop a resource for families and collaborate/shadow with other departments to help in various ways. The Youth Department is a great place to be, and they serve with genuine care!
3. How did you hear about Exodus and why did you decide to apply to intern here?
J: I found Exodus online while searching for non-profits to intern over the summer. Exodus caught my eye as my parents are immigrants from Guatemala who fled the civil war. Knowing how hard they had to fight to build a new life in the United States and to provide our family with everything we needed, I understand how much strength it takes to start over in a new and unfamiliar environment, and because of that I resonate greatly with the work Exodus does. I wanted to help people like my parents receive the resources they need to thrive in their new life and achieve their goals and dreams. I also have an interest in social work, and this has been a really great opportunity to see what working at a social services organization looks like!
N: I originally heard about Exodus through a collaboration IU did with the Exodus Bloomington suboffice. Through this introduction, I ended up volunteering with Exodus Bloomington for around a year before applying to intern at the Indianapolis branch. I had a wonderful experience volunteering for Exodus, and I wanted to become even more involved with the organization and its work while gaining more experience in my field of interest. When I learned that a Legal Intern position was open at the Indianapolis branch, I knew it was a great fit for me! As someone interested in working with migrant communities as their issues relate to civil and human rights, working with Exodus has been an incredible chance to learn about and engage with the communities I wish to serve.
S: I brought a group of my high school students to volunteer last year and knew that I wanted to complete my social work internship at Exodus.
4. What has been your favorite part about interning at Exodus?
J: I have really enjoyed engaging with the community to raise awareness about what can be done to support and advocate for refugees. It has been so rewarding to know that the work I am doing is supporting important resources for clients to be able to build their new life here. I also love the work environment – Exodus staff are so welcoming and passionate about the work they’re doing, and it’s been amazing getting to know everyone and learning from them!
N: One of my favorite parts about interning at Exodus has been engaging with clients from a variety of backgrounds. Each client has a unique story of resilience, and I am so grateful to be able to make their journeys just a little easier to navigate. Plus, I love that Exodus allowed me to be involved with every aspect of the resettlement process, including steps outside of the legal process if I so chose!
Additionally, my coworkers at Exodus were certainly a highlight of the experience. Each person on staff is so passionate about what they do and excited to teach you what they know. I felt welcomed with open arms (and great food!)
S: The clients and organizational culture have been amazing! I love the interactions with diverse people who are incredibly resilient and brave. I have so many stories of moments with children, youth, and families that make me grateful for the experiences and time spent at Exodus.
5. What do you wish more people knew about refugees?
J: I wish more people saw refugees less as numbers or statistics, but more as human beings with their own individual and unique stories, dreams, and aspirations. They are people just like anyone else who have been subjected to unjust circumstances and are not defined by their label. They have the right to seek better lives for themselves and their families, and to pursue their dreams in their new home. They have, and will continue to, accomplish incredible things that make the communities they join stronger and better places.
N: I wish more people understood how diverse refugees are. In the U.S., there is often a tendency to view refugees as a monolithic group based on legal status. This perspective – whether or not it is constructed consciously – is misleading. Obviously, refugees come from many different countries, bringing with them a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. But beyond that, each refugee has a unique personal story and experience even when compared to others from their own country. When we welcome them into our communities, we create an invaluable opportunity to share a mutual enrichment of our lives.
S: Refugees bring great value to Indianapolis; they have a wide breadth of experiences that most people may not realize. They are capable, intelligent, hard-working people worthy of our time and attention. I wish that everyone could experience life through the eyes of a refugee, they are incredibly grateful, hopeful, and so hospitable. The children and youth are particularly wonderful! Recently, one of the youths that I served told me that she had “too much happiness” referring to a new beginning in a new home and school.
