It's Baadaye, not Kwaheri.

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. 

Wonderful co-workers

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.

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.

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.

My supervisor, Harusi, and I. 

The gang, interns and all. 

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!