Wow, it’s amazing that the internship is over. Last week was
a stressful one; turning in last minute assignments/projects and making sure to
get in all my goodbyes at the office. My mind has yet to process that this
experience is coming to an end.
Something that I am most appreciative of is the fact that I
absolutely am not ready to leave. This might seem like a cliché thing to say; I
am on a beautiful island after all. However, with most people I know,
internship experiences seem to be luck of the draw. I’ve heard of many negative
internship experiences. I’ve heard people saying that they couldn’t wait to get
out of their work environment. This was simply not the case with me.
In fact, it couldn't be more opposite.
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| Wonderful co-workers |
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| Group picture from a workshop confronting Gender Based Violence |
Setting up an internship (or any job for that matter) can be
quite nerve wracking. Until you really get in the environment, you don’t know
what to expect. Setting up an internship abroad is even more of a gamble. I
remember so many thoughts going through my head before I left for Zanzibar. What if my internship is a disaster and I
have to come home? What will the environment be like in the workplace? Will I
be able to effectively work within that environment? What if I don’t know
enough Swahili to work there? Will people want to speak English with me?
The list goes on and on. I soon found out that most of these questions were way
over-dramatic for what the experience turned out to be. Sometimes you just have
to trust that everything will be fine.
Last weekend, I skyped in with my internship class back in
Denver. One of the requirements over the weekend was to submit a final critical
reflection in which you analyze your experience, including the strengths/skills
you gained throughout the internship. So, now I would like to brag to you all
about a skill/realization that I gained here.
Personally, I tend to rely heavily on the advice/opinions of
my friends and family (especially my sister, Courtney) when I am in sticky
situations. Yes, this is good to a certain extent. But sometimes you have to
embrace your fear and take a hold of a situation on your own. Usually, I do
take on the situation, only after someone gives me the instructions.
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| Listening intently with my co-worker, Jamila. |
Here, I learned to take more responsibility entirely on my
own. Instead of running to get advice or support when I came upon a controversial
situation, I instead would stop myself. I would think something like, You have to handle this yourself. You are
here, in this environment. And friends and family are there. You need to trust
yourself. Keep in mind, I wasn’t necessarily put in situations of tension
all the time, but I did have to juggle miscommunications with the language and
cultural barrier. Additionally, there will always be points of conflict in the
workplace, so I confronted those as best I could.
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| Speaking at a workshop |
One of my major learning goals I wanted to take away from
this experience was how to be aware and respectful of the culture while also
being clear about having my needs met. In the work environment, I am a yes
person. I know that my passion and high standards to appear professional and
able are responsible for thisx. However, being so willing can put me in a
vulnerable position; one that allows people to take advantage of me. During my
internship, I constantly though about how I wanted to be seen, which included a
person who gives respect and also needs to receive it. I acted when I felt
uncomfortable. I showed that I wanted respect by showing it first and also voicing
my needs. Yeah, it was intimidating to do this at first, especially in a
culture that was not my own. But I learned that I am capable of making tough
decisions and ending on top.
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| My supervisor, Harusi, and I. |
The gang, interns and all.
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| Yay for interns! |
Up to three or four weeks before I left, my co-workers would
tell me how much they would miss me. “What are we going to do without you?”
they would say. My supervisor even told me she wished I could be on the working
staff full time. This positive feedback told me that I had successfully shown
respect and received it, and had also worked in relationships of solidarity. On
the last day, my two co-workers, Jamila and Gabriel brought in a cake for me!
It was beautiful. The kindness felt was a wonderful and rare one; the type that
brings the water works.
I want to say thank you to Zanzibar Legal Services Centre
for giving me such a wonderful internship experience; one that has left me
wanting to stay here for much longer. Thank you for all of your support,
patience, guidance and being so welcoming of me. I will miss you all!
Ninataka kusema Ahsante sana, Zanzibar Legal Services
Centre. Ahsante kwa kila kitu ya internship. Ninatake kukaa hapa, na sitaki
kuandoka! Ahsante kwa msaada, umuviluvu, mwongozo na kuwakaribisha.
Ninakukoseni!
