Internship Experiences
Volunteer Experiences
Deaf Community Health Worker (DCHW)
For two summers I had the honor of assisting a Deaf CHW while working with a Deaf immigrant from Somalia. The first summer I worked with them we were focusing on reading and writing skills and would work on filling out worksheets that would say things like, "Outside the weather is______." It was an amazing feeling when on my last day that summer I got to see that moment when everything started to click for the student. It was an even better feeling when I returned for my first day the next summer to find that the student was now in the process of studying for her citizenship test! This experience was one of a kind. I am so honored to have been apart of this young woman's transition into American Society. I couldn't imagine moving to a new country that was so vastly different from where I grew up, to a country where I didn't know the spoken, written, or signed language. I truly admire the determination and courage this young woman has and am so thankful for everything she taught me. |
Metro Deaf School (MDS)
I was able to volunteer my time at MDS for two semesters. The first semester I spent working in a classroom with children who had Deaf siblings. Twice a week we would meet in the evenings and I would assist the Deaf teacher in helping these young kids to learn American Sign Language. They tended to be pretty shy at first but I really enjoyed helping them break out of their shell and become more excited and confident using the ASL they were learning. A great moment that I experienced when attending MDS Annual Spaghetti Fundraiser was when I saw one of the students from our class conversing with their Deaf sibling using ASL. It was really great to be able to help these two siblings make a better connection. The second semester I volunteered I assisted with student life activities including but not limited to arts and crafts and gym time. I got to help the students paint their settings and rehearse for the school play. It was super fun and cute to attend the official play after seeing all of the hard work and time these students put in preparing for the big day! |
Miscellaneous volunteer opportunities
Throughout my time as a student at St. Kate's I picked up a variety of miscellaneous volunteer opportunities including working registration for Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf's Homecoming and Anniversary celebration, several fundraisers and events for both MDS and Thompson Hall Deaf Club, workshops set up through the Catie Center, and also Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Lobby day at the Capital.
Throughout my time as a student at St. Kate's I picked up a variety of miscellaneous volunteer opportunities including working registration for Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf's Homecoming and Anniversary celebration, several fundraisers and events for both MDS and Thompson Hall Deaf Club, workshops set up through the Catie Center, and also Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Lobby day at the Capital.