Meet Our Intern: Kyle

So you remember when we mentioned we have three amazing interns this year?  Well...we lied.  Unintentionally, of course.  After we began our Meet Our Intern series, we were lucky enough to have another intern join us!  Kyle is a BSW student at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville.  While Anna, Ashley, and Sarah are completing their internships at the Elder Program and KRM, Kyle is completing his internship at the Elder Program and Catholic Charities.  Friends, meet Kyle.

(and his super cute girlfriend Sarah)

Why do you want to complete your internship with the Refugee Elder Program?

I am primarily interested in administrative and policy practice, and I feel that it is crucial to experience and understand the smaller details of the bigger picture in order to practice effectively.  I felt that the Refugee Elder Program was a perfect setting for me to acquire the interpersonal contact with clients that will enable me to see things through a clearer and more realistic lens when working on larger projects that pertain to their community.

What about your internship are you most excited and most nervous? 

The diversity of the people that participate in the program is what excites me most.  I thoroughly enjoy learning about the cultures of the world, and I believe there is no one better to learn from than the elders of these cultures.  I am most nervous about language barriers.  It is hard for me to realize, as a native English speaker, that sometimes I need to alter my words in order for someone who is not a native English speaker to understand me.  I must raise my awareness of this fact in order to better communicate with the elders.

What are your long term goals for your career and life?

I plan on moving on to the MSW program focusing on administration and policy practice at either the University of Washington or the University of Texas and settling down where I end up.  My goals may change, given the multitude of social problems I am interested in alleviating, but I have the most experience with refugee resettlement, so perhaps I will seek a career in the state department for refugee resettlement of whichever state I attain my graduate degree and then attempt to work at the Office of Refugee Resettlement in Washington, D.C.  A doctorate accompanied by a career in research may be my future as well, but we will just have to see how things go!

Anything else?

I love anything that has to do with being outdoors or traveling.  I am also pretty brave in terms of trying new things, especially when they have to do with outdoor recreation or venturing to unfamiliar places.  I want to someday hike the entire Appalachian Trail, which is almost 2200 miles!  I also have a list of sites around the world that I wish to visit; the number one item is the Coliseum in Rome.

Kyle works with Naina and Hong in Carolyn's class.

Welcome Kyle!  Remember, you can meet the rest of interns by reading their stories here.

Meet Our Intern: Sarah

You've already been introduced to Anna and Ashley, so we'd like to introduce you to the lovely (and might we add, simply hilarious) Sarah.

Sarah is a student at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville; she received her Bachelor's of Social Work from Kentucky State University in May of this year.  Like Ashley, she is also pursuing a specialization in gerontology.  Sarah has a great passion for policy and her individual project reflects this; she plans on assisting in the creation and maintenance of a curriculum for the elders in the program, as well as a developing a policy manual for future interns.

Why do you want to complete your internship with the Refugee Elder Program?

I have always had an interest in the elder population, and I knew I wanted to work with them during my internship.  The interest in the program came about during my interview of the directors of the program.  The commitment, excitement, and pure passion that was demonstrated by these people made me simply have to be a part of something great!

What about your internship are you most excited and most nervous?

I am excited about learning; one of the reasons I love the older population is because of the wisdom they can share.  I can learn so much from someone who has that life wisdom and a different background and culture than mine.  I am most nervous about being in a different environment and being sensitive enough to every one's wants and needs.  I hope to learn to be more of a listener.

What are your long term goals for your career and life?

I am pursuing my MSW because of the lack of voice that many populations have; as a long-term goal, I hope to remedy this for many oppressed groups through policy change and education.  On a smaller scale, I hope to focus my energy on the elder population and their needs.

Anything else?

I was born and raised in Frankfort, Kentucky and continue to live there.  I have two nephews; Carter is three and Blake is eight months- they are my life and my reason for wanting to have a rewarding career.  I want my family to be proud of me and to be proud of myself.

Sarah leads a small group in teacher Sarah's class.  Two Sarahs made it easy on the elders!

Welcome Sarah!  We are happy to have you- and your sense of humour- aboard.  If you would like to read more about our other interns, click here.

Meet Our Intern: Ashley

Last week we introduced you to our intern Anna; now we'd like you to meet Ashley! 

(Ashley also got married in May- congratulations, Ashley!)

Ashley is pursuing her Master's in Social Work degree with a specialization in gerontology and is in her final year of graduate school.  Her individual project will involve networking and collaborating with the greater Louisville Metro community to create a resource guide for elder refugees.  The guide will detail helpful mainstream services available to the elders.  Ashley hopes that as a result of her project, both the elders and the mainstream service providers will be more aware of one another.

Why do you want to complete your internship with the Refugee Elder Program?

I knew I wanted to work with older adults because I have a great passion for working with this population.  I have several years of experience working with the elders in the long-term care sector and wanted to branch out of other areas in the community.  A friend of mine told me about the Refugee Elder Program, and I got very excited about the prospect of working with a such a unique group of individuals.

What about your internship are you most excited and most nervous?

I am most excited about meeting people from a variety of diverse backgrounds and hearing some of their interesting stories.  I am nervous about not knowing enough about cultures with which I am unfamiliar- and coming across as ignorant... I love meeting new people and strive to always have an open mind and willingness to explore things from a different point of view.  In my attempts to learn more about the experiences of refugees, I hope that I won't offend anyone with what could be considered a silly question.

What are your long term goals for your career and life?

Ultimately, my goal is to help people.  I want to continue to work with older adults, which I find extremely rewarding.  I hope to serve as a leader in advocating for this often marginalized population and aim to promote social justice by giving older adults an opportunity to voice their needs.  In the long run, I plan on becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and hope to be able to provide a platform for older adults to be listened to and heard.  Aside from my social work goals, I wouldn't mind one day opening a bed and breakfast with my husband, who is a fantastic chef!

Anything else?

I have an orange cat named Ranga, whom I am very devoted to.  I also have dreams and aspirations of being on a game show.  I love to make things and hope to somehow incorporate my love for crafts into the Refugee Elder Program.  I'm very excited to get started!

On her very first day at the Elder Program, Ashley helps Ah with her assignment.

Welcome Ashley!!!  If you would like to read about our other interns, click here.

Meet Our Intern: Anna

Next week, three students will begin their practicum placements with the Refugee Elder Program; the teachers and elders are beyond excited for these interns to begin; we are counting down the days expectantly!  Each of the students will complete a 450-hour internship over the course of the fall and spring semesters.  They will all work at the Elder Program regularly, but each of the interns will also participate in other areas of the refugee resettlement process, as well as work on an individual project throughout the year. 

We'd like to introduce you to these interns and let you learn a little bit about them, as they will be an integral part of the Elder Program in the coming months. First, we'd like to introduce you to Anna. 

Anna is a first-year graduate student at the Kent School of Social Work; her individual project is developing fundraisers and publicity materials, as well as further developing the mentoring program.  She hopes that she will be able to raise more awareness in the community about elder refugees, their needs, and of course the Elder Program!  Anna answered a few brief questions for us so we could get to know her better:

What made your want to complete your internship with the Refugee Elder Program?

I've been volunteering with this program for about two years and have grown to love everyone involved with it.  I came to this program to teach others, but I feel they have taught me more than I could ever pass onto them.  The Elder Program is full of people who love what they do; they are there because they have a passion for helping others.  I knew after my first day of volunteering with the program that I had to be involved with it; I knew God had placed me there for a reason.  After being accepted to graduate school and then determining my practicum placement, I knew the Elder Program was where I wanted to be.

What about your placement are you most excited and most nervous?

I'm most excited about learning about more of what goes behind the scenes.  I know there is an abundant amount of blood, sweat, and tears that goes into keeping this program successful, and I'm excited to be a part of that.  I'm excited to pick the brain of the program coordinator and really grow into a social worker.  I'm most nervous about messing up; this is a program where we are dealing with people who have seen the worst there is to see in this world...

What are your long term goals for your career and life?

After obtaining my MSW, I hope to work in the international community- hopefully with a non-profit group like KRM.  As a single mother, I am doing my best to teach my son the importance of serving others.  Although he is only seven, I can already see that he has a very kind and giving heart.  I hope to continue to grow that in him.  My main goal is to leave behind something positive for everyone I meet along my journey.  I want to move and motivate people to do something positive with their lives.

Anything else?

I'm so scared of birds that I won't even eat chicken or turkey...but I am captain of a flag football team and love the sport a ton!

Anna has been mentoring Hawa for well over a year now.  Hawa is currently in the process of applying for citizenship!

Welcome Anna!!!