Briefly describe the primary duties, tasks, and projects of your internship.

What were the most significant and/or impactful experiences? * While working as an Intern for Proyecto Horizonte I worked a few different things. In the Community Development portion of Proyecto Horizonte I helped to plan, organize and act out activities that were taking place. For example, there is a huge problem with youth joining gangs and making unsavory decisions (especially at night). So a team of us decided to try to create a healthy and fun space for teens to come. A group of us would stay at Proyecto Horizonte late at night to host what became known as Youth Week, and then continued into twice a week Youth Nights (one for girls other for boys). During the 3hrs sessions we would have the laptops for them to use the internet, games set up and soccer. It was a success and after the trial week I wrote a report detailing what Youth Week was, what worked and what did not. (I also wrote reports on things that were done by the volunteers/interns like the Garden Project). After the initial Youth Week I wrote a report on the experiment.Another primary duty of mine involved researching and writing/editing grant proposals. To break it down, I researched and found foundations that offered grants to organizations like Proyecto Horizonte. What I specialized in was general founding for the everyday expenses while some of the other interns worked on proposals that was related a specific project. Once I found a grant that was what we were looking for, I would meet with Johan (was in charge of all grants) and show him what I came up with. He would give me advice as to whether he thinks it would suit us, and ask me questions about the foundation. The grants that I found I was not able to write the grant proposals because we must sent an inquiry first and I was not there for enough time. I was able to write and work on existing proposals that were already given a green light for the proposal. What skills did you use most often in your work? What new skills and abilities did you develop and how will they be helpful to you in the future? * The skills that I used most often in my work are my ability to speak Spanish (intermediate level) and the ability to learn quickly and effectively. A lot of the work that I did while working at Proyecto Horizonte I have never done before. I have never been in charge of anything especially things that were new to me. My ability to speak Spanish was a major skill that I am most proud of because it allowed for me to speak to the locals and learn about them and their lives. Thus allowing me to take what I had learned to create and develop ideas concerning Community Development. at an intermediate level of Spanish as well as Describe any difficulties and challenges you experienced and how you addressed them over the course of your internship. * By the time I arrived in Bolivia, there was no longer a Volunteer Coordinator. This became somewhat a problem for me because there was not much structure for what I should do, so I admit for the first few days I was kind of lost. After the initial shock of

not know what to do and people telling me that I have to find it myself, I took initiative. I no longer waited for something to fall into my lap, I went after it and was able to create a stable structure for myself. A little later on, another intern and volunteer (along with myself) decided to do something about the disorganization. We found new ways to help new volunteers/interns get oriented and better situated with the program. I used the feelings that I felt in the beginning to help the next set of people, to get them working and comfortable straight away. I helped to create required meetings, forms that must be filled out by both the coordinator and volunteer/intern and I also created a questionnaire that newbies must fill out, so Proyecto Horizonte can keep improving and working on becoming more organized and structured. Describe any critical moments and experiences that shifted your perceptions of the world of work, the field, yourself as a professional, and/or the organization for which you interned. * I believe my critical moment was described in the answer given above. Before I got to Proyecto Horizonte my thoughts on the internship was that someone was going to tell me what to do and I was just going to do it. It was sort of a rude awakening when I got there and I entered a mess of disorganization. I soon had to come to terms that everything I learned and did while I was here was up to me. If I wanted to succeed and do what I came there to do I would have to set out and find it on my own. That no one was going to tell me what to do, that I must find out what needs to be done then try to do something about it. It also made me talk and interact more with my co workers because they helped give me much needed insight and advice. This experience meant a great deal and helped me become more of a professional. I have come to the decision that everything is not just going to fall into my lap but I instead must go out and get it myself. If I want something, I have to take initiative and not wait for someone to help me/hand me the opportunity. Having observed and engaged with professionals, what makes one successful? * While working with professionals, I have discovered that hard work, determination and an open mind make a person successful. I picked those three things because they are what I saw most, whether it may have been someone lacking in those qualities or the other way around. I think you need all three of these traits because you may be hardworking and determined but without the open mind others will not consider you a worthy leader or give you their respect. How did your academic studies help to prepare you for this internship? How will this experience inform your future studies when you return to Smith? * My academic studies helped to prepare me for this internship by giving me a platform of knowledge to which I was able to work off of. The studies and writing in particular were a big help when it came to researching and grant writing. When I came to Proyecto Horizonte I read a few past grant proposals and was astounded at the intellect and lack of writing capability. With most of my classes being writing intensive, I was able to help other people by re-writing/polishing up some of their proposals. Without the training at

Smith I would not have been able to re-write the grant proposals in a way that was professional, smooth and direct. This experience will inform my future studies when I return to Smith because I now know what it is like to live in a relatively poor developing country. It will give me more insight and knowledge when relating it to my studies. This Fall, I am taking Economic Development and I know that the things I have experience and learned while in Bolivia will come in handy during discussions. In what ways did your internship contribute to your larger career and/or academic goals? How have your goals shifted? Where do you see yourself headed now that you didn't before? * The ways in which my internship contribute to my larger career and/or academic goals are that I no longer want to be lawyer. In my Written Statements I said that I would want to be a lawyer of a consultant for either politicians or government departments. After this internship, I being a lawyer is off the table and what I am setting my goals on is to become a consultant, mainly for politicians. While working this summer, I did a lot of researching and from that research I gave giving people advice aboutof what we should do and how we should do it. This was mainly due to my work as a grant writer and I noticed that it was something I excelled at and will want to continue in the future. . This I believe What do you know/believe about yourself now as a professional * After spending almost 3 months working as an intern is Bolivia, I now believe that I can do anything. Before there was this fear that I was not ready for the professional world. Before Smith College I had never had real job and even now, my work study jobs are practically handed to me. I now know that based on my credentials and hard work I can get a job that I can be proud of. I believe that I can work in a professional environment of which I take initiative and do what I know must be done. Nothing from job was handed to me, I had to go and find it myself and that has helped me grow as both a person and a professional. I believe that as time goes on and if I continue to work and strive that I will acquire more and more skills that will allow me to become a force of nature in my future work. A note of appreciation. Praxis is funded by alumnae donations. Please briefly share your thanks and reflections on the impact the internship has had on your professional development. Please note your responses may be shared with donors. * Overall this internship has given me valuable leadership skills as well as much needed experience. It has showed and taught me about the difficulties many have in developing countries. Once back in the United States, I realized that I had changed in more ways than one. I like who I have become both as a professional, student and person and I would not have been able to succeed without the generous hearts of the Praxis alumnae donations. Not only can I take initiative but I now have the abilities to do things I never thought I would be able to do without guidance and someone showing me how to do it. During this

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internship, I had to teach myself many things and development ideas and commitments based on what I had researched and analyzed. In a way I do this all the time with papers for school but writing midterm papers are just a reflection on me. What I had to do had to be trusted by the other around me in a professional setting. It was a very rewarding experience especially when people liked your idea and wanted to work on developing it with you. Going to Bolivia and interning at a little know organization helped to boost my confidence as an employable and reliable worker. It showed me that I have the skills to go out, find a job and be a viable and meaningful partner in developing and carrying out needed tasks.

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