Introduction
Hello to anyone currently reading this! My name is Naomi Yohannes and I am a senior at the University of Washington Bothell. I am double-majoring in Community Psychology and Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior, while double-minoring in Global Health and Human Rights. I know that sounds a lot, but it is hard to decide what I am more passionate about.
This summer I participated in a virtual internship with an organization called Pravah that is based in New Delhi, India that focuses on working with the youth on social justice issues. My internship began on July 7th, 2020 and concluded on August 17th, 2020. Though a few months ago, this was not how I envisioned my summer going, something memorable and wonderful came out of a frustrating and exhausting situation.
Background
Back in December of 2019, I was accepted into a program at my school known as Global Scholars that focuses on a year-long experience in which a group of students from various backgrounds discusses and learn about issues of diversity and differences. Every student within this program is supported in applying for various abroad opportunities from their peers and advisors. I had applied to numerous opportunities for both studying abroad and internships and I had finally chosen a study abroad to Jamaica.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, everyone in my Global Scholars cohort had their programs canceled. One of the advisors for Global Scholars is Natalia Dyba who is the Director of Global Initiatives. She had recommended Pravah to me and other students at UWB as an alternative option.
Journey With Pravah
Once applying to Pravah, interviewing, and being accepted, it all began. Every Monday, the Pravah cohort would come together for about an hour or two to have a weekly reflection on how our journeys were going and conversations focused on empathy, cultural differences, and some self-reflection. Getting to know this cohort (a couple I already did from Global Scholars) was incredible. We were a diverse set of individuals with different backgrounds and identities and learning about different challenges we face because of who we are helped develop that skill of empathy and understanding cultural differences.
Weekly as well, I would have private meetings with Atul, one of the supervisors for Pravah, that would last about an hour. These conversations were focused on my work with the organization I was working with, but what I enjoyed most about these conversations was that it was never just solely focused on work. We would have reflections about who I am as a person and why I am this way to light conversations about our shared love for Chipotle. Speaking with him always left me with new insights on myself that I would discover while talking with him, leaving me knowing myself just a bit better.
Work With Rubaroo
While the internship was with Pravah, Pravah’s main goal is to connect their interns with Indian organizations. The organization that I became connected to is known as Rubaroo that is based in Hyderabad. “Rubaroo aims to be an organization where adolescents and young people are empowered to co-create a space to understand their ‘Self’ better, understand issues in society, and take action. A space that inspires them to nourish relationships and become socially conscious leaders in their own capacity.” Their focus on a variety of topics such as gender, youth development, and interfaith. They conduct campaigns and adolescent and nurturer programs.
As an intern with them, I focused on creating a weeklong campaign on the Rubaroo Instagram page with a youth group that was focused on gender-based violence. I helped navigate and outline what that week would like with my supervisor, Neha, and the youth volunteers. Though I did help with the outline, there were five different projects taking place that week and once everyone had their projects, my place was focused on the third day, which was a webinar about gender-based violence against non-binary and transgender individuals. My partner and I put together an hour and a half long webinar, with speakers from both the US and India who identified as either non-binary or transgender, and in the second half, there were performers as well.
The experience of helping with this campaign and taking a larger role within the webinar was an experience that introduced to me a lot of new skills that would become useful to me in the future. Not only this but one of the individuals from the US that spoke told me how important a space like this was essential especially for the people who are new to the community and discovering who they are. This rings true to not just the LGBTQ+ community, but for people of color, women, etc. Having a space with individuals who identify similarly as you can give you a sense of community and security.
At the End
I know for many, plans for their summers and futures may have either been deferred or canceled all together; so were mine. An internship or volunteering does not have to necessarily be in person but explore virtual opportunities! Whether it be studying abroad, interning, volunteering, or work, it is very much possible to do something of this sort online. It can overall be safer, save money, and save time. Of course, actually being there makes a difference, but do not let that discourage you from exploring the options available to you.
Thank you so much for reading my journey!
