Reflections on an Internship
By Andrew Chappelle
This past fall, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as a communications intern with the International Institute of St. Louis, a wonderful organization that is currently helping thousands of immigrants and refugees in our city to become secure and successful Americans. While my role in that capacity has ended, my time spent at the Institute has left a lasting impression on me in a number of ways.
First and foremost, I observed how difficult a process Americanization can be. For new immigrants and refugees to the country, some of whom are escaping from truly dire situations, the move is already difficult enough in times of economic prosperity. In recession, non-profit organizations are forced to dramatically tighten their belts and must often cut back on the services they offer these individuals and their families, making their move that much harder. The Institute has not been spared from this hardship and has been forced to make some tough choices to continue serving its clients in the city.
As we saw in November, the state can also make that process of assimilation more difficult by stoking xenophobic sentiment for the sake of political gain. The passage of English-only Constitutional Amendment 1 was one disappointment I felt while working with the Institute, especially considering the margins in which it passed. The use of divisive wedge issues in election years is nothing new. Hopefully this will be an example of the “politics of the past” that we’re apparently moving past as a nation—at least, that’s what the television pundits tell me.
Regardless of how the new Administration chooses to deal (or not deal) with immigration policy, I am confident the International Institute of St. Louis will continue doing what it has for ninety years—extending a welcoming hand to these families, helping them get on their feet. The Institute has helped thousands of people learn English, find jobs and become contributing members of society—exactly what most Americans demand of immigrants but are reticent to give time or money to support.
I am very grateful to the Institute for including me as a part of their team for a short time. The staff consists of dozens of great, talented professionals from all over the world who dedicate each day to the service of others. It’s been a blast interacting with them and, on a few lucky occasions, eating their food!
Fortunate for me, my time at the Institute doesn’t have to be over and done. There are numerous opportunities for me, and folks out there reading this, to get involved by spending a day with these families on field trips in St. Louis, helping tutor, or lending a hand at the children’s holiday party, for example.
If you’re interested in serving as an intern, feel free to contact my rad former boss (who will not like it if you call her that) Kate, at howellk@iistl.org