National Intern Day, celebrated annually on the last Thursday in July, honors the dedication and efforts of future leaders worldwide. At Eleison, we believe in nurturing talent and providing a platform for students to grow professionally and personally. Our internship program offers a unique blend of learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience. As we celebrate National Intern Day, we’re highlighting the journey of one of our interns, Emma Weech.
Emma is a rising senior at Brown University, pursuing a double concentration in International and Public Affairs and Environmental Studies. She applied for an internship at Eleison after reading about our mission to support human trafficking and gender-based violence survivors. In particular, she appreciated our commitment to survivor-centered and research-based advocacy work, connecting her personal interests with academic coursework related to policy, social change, and human rights:
“I have always been passionate about combatting gender inequality and believe that gender-based violence is an extreme manifestation of the issue of gender inequality. Seeing these injustices in my home country of the Bahamas inspired me to learn more about organizations who are working towards a more equitable future in other parts of the world.”
According to Emma, her internship has deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. She noted:
“Before interning at Eleison, I had a very basic understanding of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Researching and reading articles for class did not give me the firsthand understanding of these issues that the internship has provided. I’ve learned more about distinct challenges, how solutions vary based on the survivor, location, and other unique contexts, and the importance of trauma-informed support and protecting the rights of survivors.”
Throughout her internship, the support and guidance she has received at Eleison have allowed her to develop both as a professional and as a person. She explained:
“I am very grateful for both professional and personal encouragement from the team in this role. The first glimpse of the tight-knit, caring community was found in initial welcome emails from Dr. Cordisco Tsai and the team. Since then, through weekly calls with my immediate supervisors, direct email correspondences, and team meetings, I have learned more about Eleison’s commitment to open communication and collaboration. During team meetings, everyone is encouraged to talk and share their thoughts and any updates with the group. What stands out the most is that there is always a designated period to share achievements and celebrate them together.”
Weeks into her internship, Emma has already attained skills and lessons she will carry with her after the end of the summer. She reflected on her progress thus far:
“I have already gained knowledge that will help guide my academic, professional, and personal pursuits. I have learned to center survivors and empower them to be leaders in their recovery from trauma. I have learned how research and evidence are important and can complement anecdotes and personal stories. Survivors’ experiences should inform the services that support them.”
We are committed to facilitating professional development for undergraduate and graduate students through our internship program. We invite students with a passion for advocating for survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence to apply for our internship program. If you’re interested, apply for the program through info@eleisonfoundation.org or by sending us a message here.
