Overview
This Spring semester 2020, I will be interning at KIM Association. KIM is a non-profit which works with sick children from around the world. Their mission is "We give sick children the opportunity to become children". Functioning as a home during treatment, they provide a sense of community and consistency to children and their mothers.
In my first week at KIM association, I was introduced to new coworkers, kids, and mothers. During my introductory meeting, with assistance from my internship coordinator, Salvatore and I set clear expectations as to the tasks I am expected to complete within my time at KIM. Salvatore and I mapped out a schedule of the dates and times I would be at KIM and established a report. In the following week, I was able to begin working with the kids, in turn gaining an understanding of the KIM community. Though I researched crowdfunding in the afternoon, I began to understand that a lot of my job is becoming a companion to the kids and mothers at KIM. Be that Italian language learning, hair braiding, or family-style lunches, I look forward to developing meaningful relationships with everyone at KIM.
Learning Objectives
Within the first week, I set learning objectives and a preliminary timeline to complete those objectives. These objectives are meant to keep me on task and accountable for my work. Further, they will be a clear way to document my progress. The top three learning objectives I established are as follows:
1. As a result of interning at KIM Association, I hope to improve my Italian language skills, including daily communication during meals and morning activities.
2. Create a crowdfunding event that connects KIM association to the greater Loyola community.
3. Demonstrate increased knowledge of international non-profit relations.
Challenges
Growth, it turns out, is not simple nor comfortable. This past week, I found myself at a loss for language and physically lost.
Language, as we all understand it, is one of the most important aspects of human nature. It's what allows us to connect with each other, and creates a culture code that is both individual and understated. This week, I struggled with my Italian language skills. I, unfortunately, feel great discomfort in lacking the vocabulary to express my ideas. I quite frankly didn't know if I was up to the task. What if I fail? What if the kids don't understand me? What if my coworkers view me as an outsider for the remainder of my time at KIM? These questions have continued to play on repeat in my head.
And though I would not like to get too far into this story, it is worth noting as it marked a milestone within this process. I took the wrong train, bound for Pisa instead of Roma Aurelia. While already exhausted, I became distressed. Combining language barriers with one of my major fears of making a bad impression, this truly challenged me. I gave up that day, but thankfully after a few encouraging conversations, I didn't give up in general.
Resolutions
Though I was challenged this week, I am taken back to a conversation I had many months ago when originally applying to intern abroad. "I want to be challenged. I am used to being pushed outside my comfort zone" I told Nadia Cristiani, my internship coordinator. And so not to let that past version of myself down, I must persist.
I don't have all the words needed to express myself, and I will fail. I will fail and ask more questions. I will fail and gain more vocabulary.
I have failed this past week in trying to navigate simple tasks such as playing "UNO" with the kids. They laugh at me endlessly, giggle "Margarett", correct me, and move on. They don't linger on the moments of misunderstanding. They don't waver in their trust, or outcast me. They continue to show grace and kindness, and so I will, too.
I must continue to giggle through the unknown and navigate this new territory with a smile. The resolution I will continue to lean on through this journey is persistence and grace.
Tasks
In order to document progress, I want to share specific tasks which I completed this week.
1. Worked with the kids during Italian Language Learning time
2. Worked with fundraising to begin research on crowd fundings
3. Communicated with parents and kids in Italian, English, and Spanish
4. Learned more about KIM and their mission
5. Established a schedule
6. Discussed general fundraising needs
Classroom Knowledge
During the classroom portion of my internship course, Prof Cristiani provides us with academic sources to guide our week's work. This week we talked about culture code within an Italian Business place.
It is important to note that my experience at KIM is individual and unlike most Italian workplaces. Within my first few hours at KIM, we had lunch as an entire organization. These home-cooked meals expose the kids and mothers to Italian language and culture. It also serves as a way for management to connect with those living in the home.
Upcoming
In the upcoming week, I hope to meet with the team to set a timeline for crowdfunding. I would also like to get to know the mothers of KIM more this week in order to practice more Italian and increase report.