More Than an Internship
My Experience at Casa Famiglia
S.T.A.R. Review
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Low goal/task-orientation
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Tolerance of Differences
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Sense of Humor
While working among my supervisor, I learned a lot about going with the flow and taking things as they come. A lot of times the schedule would change day of or I would need to change my activity plan in order to accommodate the change in schedule. This switch up resulted in a lot of changes to goals I think I had, but really it just developed a new set of skills that were low goal oriented. I have truly realized the value in this mindset and honestly this has completely changed me and my values as well. I will implement this way of thinking for the rest of my education and into my career.
In regards to the previous skill, low goal orientation, I have learned how to tolerate differences between cultures. I am so completely type-A and I had to reframe my goals because of the slower pace of Italy and Casa Famiglia. For example, I came to work on the first day wearing heels, khakis, and my hair was down. This in itself is a representation of how I thought this internship was going to look like! I had to reframe the way I dressed to a more relaxed style because I did not want to present seeming egotistical. I wanted to blend in with the pace of work and with the dress of work.
It’s not just about tolerating differences — it’s about working with them, developing through them. Like algae attaches to rock: different, yet growing together, forming something stronger.
Lastly, but probably the skill I used the most, sense of humor. As a part of this internship, I had the privilege to learn a lot of Italian. I would try my best to not use a translator because it is a barrier in creating relationships with the kids & the educators. The first way people seek connection in relationships is in the communication. Sense of humor was one of the first ways I gained trust from the kids and educators and it made my entire internship all the more fun. I remember one of the first times I was just sitting with Ascia, one of the kids from Primavera, + Federica and Michaela. We were sitting talking and Ascia was translating for us, but we were talking with our hands to each other and I was using the Italian I knew and Michaela was using the English she knew, but we kept saying "Come se diche" over and over asking Ascia. At one point I go, "Come se diche, Come se diche, Come se diche" whilst also moving my hands about. Federica and Michaela start cracking up and we were all doing a silent laugh it was so funny. I think I learned Italian so quickly and because sense of humor was my main motivation- it is psychologically important to laugh, so this skill was helpful, especially learning how to balance it with serious moments.
Cultural Awareness
My Values:
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Connection- with my colleagues, with the kids
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Friendship- finding people to lean on during this time
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Family- I miss them, but sharing this experience with them is the best part!
1) I experienced new cultures. One strategy that was really helpful in learning how to interact with people from another culture was:
Be open. I wouldn't be having as exciting or good of a time being at Coop Social without knowing that I have to be open in order to receive Openness.
2) I have clarified what is important to me – who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to accomplish. For instance…
I would like to grow strong and impactful connections with the kids and the staff at Coop Sociale. I love knowing that they trust me and that I can trust them and these relationships are so fulfilling.
3) I had to learn how to adapt. One change that was really hard for me to adapt to in my host culture was:
The language barrier. It only took me one week to sort of adjust to, but it felt like the longest week of my like. It actually in its simplicity was not hard to learn words from the kids and adjust to it, but with the incoming pressure of the first week and all it was really hard. I adapted by really being open, like I said before, to learning from the kids and being available to learn from them.
4) I gained a greater perspective on global issues. One social issue (local or global) that I learned more about is...
In my psych class we were given an optional assignment to do that was in analyzing the Israeli- palestinian conflict through cross-cultural psychology lense. Here I learned about the history and trial of this conflict and it gavbe me a broad prospective and information on this global issue and the seriousness of its effect.
Communication Styles
When I took the communication skills test I tested as a 6 on the tell scale and a -2 on the people scale. This leads me to think that I am a feeler and fast & impatient. I feel like this accurately represents me in the first place. I generally do not pay attention to detail, but I want to be productive and I work fast, so details are spared.
I like to get recognized because I feel like I work really hard to make people feel understood and empathize & connect with them. I am generally not detailed because I consistently move fast. I am a really talkative person and this is my most used way to connect emotionally with someone.
My supervisor, Federica, is a slow and patient feeler. She is really good with the relationships with the kids andextremely consistent with it. I see her as extremely loyal to the kids at the center. She is so relaxed and patient. I would love to have the level of chill that she has.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
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Learn 5 new Italian words from the kids each week.
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Learn 1 new game a week from the kids.
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Organize at least one activity a week that could entertain all the kids in centro.
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Introduce at least 1 instrument / teach one instrument in the first month of being at Cooperativa Sociale Essere