by Laura Eschbacher, Communications Intern

Today, like any other day, I went to the staff lunchroom to eat my sandwich. But this time, I found an older man and a young woman in there. He was helping her take an English test on a story she’d just read. Both looked up at me, and I smiled to assure them that I would be as quiet as possible, and try not to disturb them. I got my bag from the fridge and sat down, observing the lesson as I ate.
The tutor reminded me a lot of my grandfather. He was supportive and helpful with each question she didn’t quite understand. I wondered how he’d first heard of the International Institute, and how he came to be an English tutor here. He seemed to really love the work.
She was eager to learn and kept asking questions. She laughed when he reminded her jokingly, “now, I can’t give you the answer, that’s not the point!” She smiled in between her concentration faces. She looked up at me a few times, and I smiled back and kept chewing quietly.
Neither of them spoke to me directly, but I was still excited to have witnessed the English lesson. The man was a volunteer tutor, genuinely enjoying helping the young woman, and you could see the appreciation in her face, and the happiness when she came across the correct answer. It was a simple, but remarkable interaction to watch.
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At times during my internship, I’ve wished that I had a more active role in directly helping the people in the classes on the floor below me. (Jessica and I went to sit in on an English class once, but couldn’t stay long because the teacher was sick that day.) But when I really thought about my role here, I came to the conclusion that I’m helping out in the place where I fit best. My job is to spread the word about the Institute so that these teachers and students have financial and societal support and can continue with everything they do. I’ve never been a tutor before and I can’t speak Vietnamese, but I have written and edited blogs and audio presentations. That is my area of expertise. I’m content with my role behind the scenes. I’m happy to be the quiet, supportive person in the lunchroom, because I know that I’m helping in a way that’s hidden, but still necessary.

by Laura Eschbacher, Communications Intern

Remember when the Hanson brothers—Isaac, Taylor, and Zac—made it big in the 90’s with the infamous “MMMBop?” Did you know that they are still producing rock albums that go straight to the top of the independent charts? U2’s singer Bono, an avid One Campaign supporter, once called Hanson’s music “genius.”
And who knew that they spent time in South Africa and Mozambique giving concerts to benefit children living in poverty and suffering from AIDS? Hanson was drawn to Africa after one visit because of the overwhelming message of hope they got from the people there. It was hope that inspired their world-wide charity performances of “The Walk Tour,” which came to a close last November.
In 2007, the Hanson brothers (and their wives and children) began touring the United States, walking one mile barefoot with their fans before each concert. Their aim was to demonstrate what life is like without the basic things that most people take for granted, like shoes—a reality many Africans who live in poverty face. During “The Walk Tour,” Hanson partnered with TOMS Shoes, an American company who donates one pair of shoes to children in Africa for every pair sold by their company. In 2008 they took this tour around the world.
“We want to inspire others to look for simple tangible ways to make a difference. It is easy to be halted by the great hurdles of poverty and AIDS, but making an impact can begin as simply as giving someone a pair of shoes, or buying a song. —Taylor Hanson
Hanson included children they met in Africa on some of the tracks of their latest album. In their song “Great Divide,” a school choir from Soweto, South Africa provides back-up vocals, singing “Ngi Ne Themba,” meaning “I have hope.” The song was released on iTunes and all proceeds were directed towards research and prevention of AIDS in Africa. Hanson has also published a book that chronicles their experiences with the tour, which will raise further funds for African charities.

Hanson may have dropped from the mainstream, but they still exist. And this time around, they have a deeper purpose for their music, something quite apparent in their lyrics:

“I find hope and it gives me rest
I find hope in a beating chest
I find hope in what eyes don’t see
I find hope in your hate for me
Have no fear when the waters rise
We can conquer this great divide.”

Buy a Pair of TOMS Shoes (and send a pair to Africa).
Help Hanson make a difference in your own way.
Listen to “Great Divide” — under the picture, click “Listen to samples.”

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

 By Blake Gilmore          Last December, my principal sent me an email with the subject “Blake- you would love this!”  Intrigued, I opened the message, which redirected me to Bank of America’s internship page.  Thanks, but no thanks, Mr. Faulkner.  Interning at a bank?  I’m not exactly financially inclined.  I read on in amusement.  “Do you have what it takes to be a Bank of America Student Leader?  If you are a junior or senior in high school with a passion for improving your community, we would like to help you turn that passion into action.”  Okay, perhaps that does sound like me.  Then it dove into specifics.  Student leaders work at a nonprofit for eight weeks during the summer and get a week long, all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C.  Sweet!            

I was notified of my selection in May.  Technically, I didn’t choose to intern at the International Institute; we were matched together because of my student council project to increase humanitarian aid to Darfur.  Neither my friends nor I had heard of it.  In fact, over the past two months, exchanges like this have been commonplace: Friend: “Let’s go to the mall tomorrow!  I need a bathing suit for Cancun!”

Me: “Sorry, I can’t.  I have to work.”

Friend: “Aww. That sucks,” they say, assuming work constitutes as saving small children from dirty pools or selling flat soda at a rec center. 

Me: “No, actually, it doesn’t.  I work at the International Institute.”

Friend: “Hm.  Never heard of it.”

Me: “It’s a nonprofit organization serving refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants.  I help in different departments in the morning and teach English in the afternoon.  You should come volunteer!”

Friend: “Asylum-seekers… aren’t those, like, crazy people?”

Me: “Err… no.”           

Thankfully, the people at the bank knew precisely what they were doing when they aligned me with the institute.  Its ever-pervasive mission, devoted staff, and strong-willed clientele continually amazed me.  I wasn’t simply regarded as the lowly intern.  Institute employees, especially Kate, included me on important projects and considered my input. They even made their own coffee!  Each deeply values the agency’s mission, a fact clear in their numerous overtime hours.  And there was never a dull moment.  There was constantly someone interesting to talk to and something new to learn.  Yes, my summer has largely consisted of work, but it hasn’t felt like I’ve been working!  Cheesy?  Yes.  Overstated?  Not in the slightest.          

Though my internship has come to a close, I plan on spending more time at the institute during the school year.  I’m forming an after school “tutoring team”, holding donation drives, and completing my photo documentary featuring clients from the institute.  An II high school/college faction modeled after I-Squared is also in the works.  My hope is to increase awareness of the institute and galvanize young people to get involved.  This remarkable organization- and all those associated with it- is long overdue for some recognition.             

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