Internship Reflections Summer 2026

Antitrafficking, Refugee & Immigration Services interns reflect on their Institute experiences

August 21, 2026 | Thank you to all our interns who have dedicated their time with New Americans at the International Institute of Minnesota! Our Summer 2026 interns shared their experience with us on what this internship meant to them. We wish them all the best in their bright futures ahead and are grateful for their contributions and time with us!  

 

 

What made you interested in pursuing this internship opportunity with the Institute?

“I come from a family of refugees, and I deeply appreciate the work the Institute does to support immigrants and refugees it’s really life changing and it’s support I wish my family could have received,” -Rukiya, Refugee Services intern 

“What drew me to this internship with the Institute was its commitment to helping survivors build long-term self-sufficiency rather than only providing short-term support. I wanted the opportunity to work with individuals who have survived human trafficking—an issue that is far more common than many people realize yet is often overlooked by both society and the justice system,” -Sienna, Antitrafficking intern 

What is the biggest lesson you learned?

“Without a doubt, this internship showed me a reality that I had not seen before. I was able to better understand the process of adapting to life in the United States as an immigrant. This includes complex things such as visas, health insurance, and legal processes, but also simple things like learning how to take the bus or how to go grocery shopping. I learned that all of these things can be important when someone is starting a new life in a different country,” -Luciana, Antitrafficking intern 

“The biggest lesson is that a lot of the work that goes unseen is what creates a big impact. In this it translates into so many parts of life that things that may seem small add up and create a change,” -Rukiya, Refugee Services intern 

What was the most rewarding part of your time with us?

“The most rewarding part of my time was working with so many incredibly motivated people whose advocacy is so effective in bringing tangible relief to our clients,” -Claire, Immigration Services intern

“The most rewarding part of my time here was being able to witness and be a part of client wins in a time of such stress and hardship,” -Sienna, Antitrafficking intern 

Did you have a favorite or memorable project?

“I would say that my favorite part was being able to shadow intakes and client appointments. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to speak directly with clients, learn more about them and their situations, and help provide them with resources and tools that can support them during their process. Being able to connect with people and know that I could be helpful was very meaningful to me,” -Luciana, Antitrafficking intern 

“My most memorable project here was helping move a client and her children move into a beautiful new home. Their excitement, pure joy and gratitude is something I will never forget,” –Sienna, Antitrafficking intern 

Would you recommend this internship to a friend? 

“Yes, absolutely! I was able to jump headfirst into different aspects of immigration law and learn from experienced practitioners,” -Claire, Immigration Services intern

“Yes, I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone who is interested in human rights, international relations, or social work. It is an experience full of learning opportunities and is a great way to understand more about these fields through real-life experiences,” -Luciana, Antitrafficking intern 

Why is it important to do this line of work? 

“I believe this work is essential because it focuses on helping vulnerable people who have been through many difficult experiences and who are sometimes left behind by society. This work gives these people a voice, but most importantly, it gives them hope. I think being able to support someone during a difficult moment in their life can make a real difference,” -Luciana, Antitrafficking intern 

“It’s important to do this line of work to provide support but also to fill the gap that is needed. For me I want to see people succeed, beat the odds, and reach self-sufficiency a lot of the time to reach these things we need support I hope to be a part of that support for somebody,” -Rukiya, Refugee Services intern 

 

 

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