This is a place where you have the capacity to really develop your own programs. In my own work, I've had to integrate theory and scholarship into practice, which I've never been able to do in an internship capacity before.
What I wish was different
Being paid would have been nice. I wouldn't have struggled so much while taking on this internship had I been paid.
Advice
Ask around to see if there's extra help that can be done in the office. You'll learn lots of new things and your colleagues will absolutely take note of it.
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Bridge-to-Wellness Intern
June - August 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Very hardworking, invested, and collaborative team. Weekly intern seminars were very informative and a great way to learn about the organization and the professional opportunities that it provided.
What I wish was different
I would appreciated having a longer internship position, rather than being 3 month's, it would have been an even better to have been a half-year position.
Advice
Reach out to other employees at the organization to get to learn about their position and how it fits into the non-profit's position as a whole, everyone there is eager to share their experiences and provide professional guidance, that is really helpful if you are interested in non-profit work, refugee and immigrant social work, immigration legal services.
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Grants Management Intern
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
This was an incredibly rewarding experience, primarily due to the amazing connections I formed with some of the clients who frequented the office. This organization does vital work for a very vulnerable population made up of some of the best people I've met! My personal values and ideals strongly align with those of Nationalities Service Center.
What I wish was different
I would have liked to have been paid! But I understand how stretched their resources are as it stands.
Advice
Be willing to do any task. The interns are really there to lighten the (overwhelming) workload of the full-time employees. Always try to say yes, even to the boring/unappealing jobs.
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Refugee Resettlement Intern
June - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I was immediately placed in a hands-on, high responsibility position coordinating affairs for various clients. I was able to immediately use Spanish, teach 1-on-1 ESL lessons, escort clients to various appointments, and devise effective courses of action for refugees, asylees, and newcomers of all forms.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Case Management Intern
January 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I loved working with clients and having the opportunity to manage cases independently.
There is a also a great community of summer interns.
What I wish was different
Advice
Case management is sometimes emotionally intense, it's important to take breaks during the day and check in with your supervisor if you need more time.
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Health Intern
June - August 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Learned a lot in a busy and friendly environment.
What I wish was different
Wish it could be a bit more structured (although this is difficult with low resources and high employee turnover). Great opportunities if you reached out and asked for them, but it definitely requires taking initiative.
Advice
Take initiative to learn as much as possible about the rest of the organization and the local/historical/political context in which you are working.
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Refugee Employment and Advancement Program intern, English teacher
June - August 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
At Nationalities Service Center, I was able to meet and work with refugees and immigrants from all over the world who are now living in Philly. Interning as a part of the REAP team I was able to help our clients find jobs, create resumes, and assist in other tasks to help them get acclimated to their new home. I also helped to teach in the daily English classes.
What I wish was different
Advice
Be flexible and be open! You will meet and get to work with many amazing people, from the staff, to clients, to fellow interns, and you will learn a lot from everyone you meet.
