First Experience with SEWA

Having recently begun my summer internship at SEWA International, I've immediately immersed myself in Houston’s international community as well as used my internship as a compliment to what I’m studying in college-- International Relations and Psychology. These past two weeks alone have enabled me to see the real-world, practical aspects of what I have spent the past two semesters studying in a classroom.

When we went to Los Arcos, the apartment complex that houses the Bhutanese refugees, I was initially nervous; likewise, the refugees were shy when meeting us and didn't give us much attention. However, when we came back the second day, all us interns were thrust into this community and we grew fond of the people we were serving. Programs that I began developing in the office showed its true purpose when I interacted with the people that these projects would benefit. Between surveying the complex and talking to families, I sat in a computer class and helped a man who had never seen a computer in his life learn how to turn the power button on and how to click a mouse. I gave him a high five, and he smiled after he completed each level. This one to one interaction clearly motivated him to continue learning as well as slowly develop confidence that would enable him to succeed in the future.

Soon, the other interns and I began playing with the children. They ran around us in circles, begging us to play with them. One of the girls, Ashika, kept tugging on my shirt and asking me to follow her. In this moment, I realized that despite the unimaginable strife these kids experienced in they all had big dreams and even bigger hearts. Knowing that they've inevitably been cut short of opportunities due to their circumstances gave me all the more motivation to continue giving them my time, energy and support throughout this summer.

Every day, I find myself eager to start working. Being from Houston myself, I am emotionally connected to these experiences and people, and I feel obligated to give something back to the city that raised me. I’m thrilled to continue working at SEWA and even more determined to contribute something to the Bhutanese refugees.