Thinking Forward

There are but few things Millennials can share sentiment on—undoubtedly, of those being “real world” anxieties. As a rising senior at Smith College, the stress of moving back home for the first time in three years, learning how to brace Houston traffic again, and readjusting to a Texas lifestyle were merely petty in the face of starting at a new internship. However, my fears were quickly proven to be irrelevant when I was greeted with such warm energy and compassion for the cause upon my orientation with Sewa. Sewa, a non-profit grassroots NGO, works towards providing long-term assistance to Bhutanese refugees in the greater Houston area.  As a summer intern, my projects are focused in the Public Health sector where I, along with three other interns, will be collaborating on projects ranging from immunization clinics, women’s health camps, and surveying the community for health risks and needs.

This week, we were given the opportunity to read through the past interns’ end-of-term reports and also work in the community on-site at Los Arcos apartment complex.  I originally had my precautions about entering a space without being too culturally intrusive, but I was soon to learn how keen the refugees from Bhutan were to learn our names and practice their English on us. In the upcoming weeks, I hope to have more dialogue with the refugees and gain insight into their individual experiences. I’m incredibly excited to be working with the community and build the framework for sustainable projects with my fellow interns. Stay tuned for more updates on my intern journey!