WMRECC Internship
Shannon
Experience Information
Employer: West Michigan Refugee Education and Cultural Center
Job Title: Site Administration Intern
Major: Political Science
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: No
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
West Michigan Refugee Education and Cultural Center provides services for refugees who have been resettled in the Grand Rapids area, working closely with other organizations, such as Bethany Christian Services and Lutheran Social Services. WMRECC provides assistance to refugee families through several of their programs. They offer many programs to assist youth, like an after school tutoring program, school liaison support, a summer literacy program, etc. There are also efforts to help local educators understand and best facilitate the needs of refugee students. WMRECC aims to help ease some of the difficulties of the transition and integration process.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked as a Site Administration intern, assisting with data collection and organization, as well as with administering tests to determine student reading and comprehension proficiency levels. I also helped out with tutoring during the hours of the after school program.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained intercultural skills through working with students and others of many different backgrounds. I also gained the ability to work with children of many different ages and to find ways to relate to them or help them in their learning process. Through my experience, I gained better knowledge and understanding of what the resettlement process entails after refugees reach the country in which they are resettled.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my experience was the ability to work with fantastic children, volunteers, and staff. I built relationships that allowed the work and interactions to come naturally and made the work I did enjoyable and rewarding.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
My time with WMRECC has helped me become even more passionate about refugee issues. I would like to be able to work with refugees abroad and assist them in the earlier stages of resettlement. I also did not realize how much I would enjoy spending time with children, which makes me consider finding a way to be involved with youth in my future career.