My undergraduate career evidences a commitment to mediation, particularly among refugee and host countries. Through internships and volunteer work at refugee-focused NGOs in the US, Germany, and Spain, I have focused on the transnational diplomacy and integrated action that migration innately requires. My Honors BPhil thesis evidences the importance of incorporating the perspective of both refugees and host population into policy development and evaluation. Sustainable refugee reception and integration must recognize both migrants and locals as fundamental stakeholders in the process.
Furthermore, I drew upon the insight gained from internships and research to lead FORGE, a student organization of nearly 70 members supporting the refugee community in Pittsburgh. As co-president, I created a refugee-led Steering Committee to foster co-leadership with and accountability to the population we serve. Indeed, the efficacy and sustainability of a resettlement framework is enhanced by involving refugees and locals as partners of integration.
Berliner Stadtmission
Refugee Welcome Center in Germany
2017 & 2018
- Assisted in planning and execution of community mediation initiatives
- Planned and led the weekly Women’s Language Café and Neighborhood Café (which included skill building sessions such as calling a doctor)
- Initiated a program for women to learn and practice computer skills
- Started and led an English course and mentoring program for youth (prepared own teaching materials, lead excursions)
- Started and led an English course for children (prepared own teaching materials)
- Provided one-on-one English tutoring
- Tutored German
- Assisted in the accompaniment and mentoring of individual refugees in their unique situation
- Assisted in refugees’ paperwork
- Scheduled and accompanied refugees to appointments (doctor, police, citizens’ office, etc.)
- Streamlined office activities by creating a common Google Drive, instituting a sign-in system, compiling a list of client addresses and family data, and organizing refugees’ paperwork in binders.
- Served as receptionist and greeted / conversed with the refugees as they waited for an appointment
https://www.berliner-stadtmission.de/fluechtlinge
