Learning about Integration in Ireland
Denise
Experience Information
Employer: Integration Centre
Job Title: Assistant
Major: International Relations
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: No
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The Integration Centre is an NGO based in Ireland that is committed to the integration and inclusion of migrants in Irish society. To further this agenda they have multiple local, national and EU wide projects. These projects include monitoring and researching the issues that immigrants are facing, lobbying the government to improve conditions for immigrants, and programs to educate and help migrants.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Everyday tasks that I completed were updating the Facebook website and Twitter with Irish news and events on immigration. In the beginning of the internship I found journalists that often reported on immigration or racism ad made a presentation about the company and the issues migrants are facing. I also worked on the 'RISE' (Refugee Interactive Skills for Employment) project, for which I reviewed lesson plans and tested the educational computer games. Another project I was a part of was the 'mimen' project, which was a project looking into the issues of male third country nationals. I helped look for interview volunteers by reaching out over Facebook and handing out flyers. I also transcribed a focus group interview in which young men described the problems they are facing in Ireland. Lastly I worked on the launch of the Annual Report on Integration, for which I contacted government official and distributed the Monitor.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
During my internship I learned how to be a part of a bigger projects and to work in an office environment. I was able to loose the nervousness I had about contacting officials by phone and leaned how to best apply the skills gained from my classes in a real live work experience. By participation in projects such as 'mimen' and 'RISE', both of which are EU wide projects, I leaned about the concerns of migrants, many of which are not solely specific to Ireland's immigrants. I was able to see issues from the viewpoint of a different country and experience an aspect of Ireland's international relations.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part was working on the RISE project. RISE is a project designed to help refugees gain the knowledge needed to start working in a new country. I only joined at the end of this project but it was great to help by adding a fresh pair of eyes. I was able to go trough all of the lesson plans and proofread them not only as a new person, but also as a foreigner which put me in a unique position to add an extra perspective. I also enjoyed testing the educational computer games and to see them improve during my time working at the Integration Centre.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
It reaffirmed my believe that I would enjoy working with people from varying backgrounds and that I desire a job that will lead to a lot of travel and cooperation with different countries. I was unsure if I would enjoy a career that worked on humanitarian issues and governments instead of working with businesses, but after my time with the Integration Centre, leaning about the issues of migrants I became more interested in humanitarian affairs.