Each day here at Sarvodaya, I develop my theory of what it means to be a volunteer for an NGO. Though my theory and thoughts are still being collected, there are a few aspects I have narrowed down, which include the interchanging use of intern and volunteer.
Even though I was warned multiple times from various testimonies that volunteer work should not be approached with the attitude of being some great person who saves the world and I did not enter the situation with that mindset, I also did not expect to be totally responsible for demanding and somewhat creating my own work.
Before arriving, there was an exchange of emails of my interests, and after stepping foot in Sri Lanka, I was assured there was plenty of work for me to do.
So, as I traveled with the group, I was eager to see what assignments were waiting for me or what Sarvodaya had planned for me to do when I stayed for my internship.
To my sweet surprise, nothing had been framed for me, and it took a week of asking for work and eventually meeting face to face with the person I should have spoken with on the first day who promised to have to-do list ready after the weekend.
That week taught me to view myself from their perspective.
I was an outsider who came here on my own accord with my own reasons, so whatever those may be would be the ones I pursue. If I just wanted to use my days doing my own research, which was what I did my entire first week, then they would have happily let me do that for the following three. I was paying to be here, and I was on my time, so of course they would not force work upon me.
This was the initial test not only of my work ethic but my confidence to figure out where I could apply my skills.
I was learning a lot just from observing Sarvodaya workings and interacting with staff, but it was not fulfilling the work experience I had hoped for.
Volunteering or interning is a matter of seeking out and taking on what you want and handling in the way you want to. Quick lesson of what you put into an experience is what you will get out of it.
After a few days of anxiously asking for assignments from both the media and international offices, I was finally given an outline of work, which would easily fill my time here.
Those who show a willingness and desire to work are rewarded with responsibility.
The next shake up of my expectations of my Sarvodaya internship was learning to call it volunteer work.
Intern and volunteer are equal here.
When I first agreed to an extra month in Sri Lanka, I was only thinking of checking off the internship box on my resume. Yes, I knew I would be rewarded in experience, but I was preparing for some elevated internship position, something separate from volunteer.
Now, I see internship equally with volunteer worker. Essentially, that’s what it is.
Sarvodaya doesn’t know it, but it snapped me into a state of humility from the get go. I am just one of countless international volunteers who trickle through this NGO dedicating small chunks of their time here for whatever personal reasons they were inspired by.
As my time closes in my volunteer work, I am now sweetly humbled to contribute all of the work I can and reminded that I am here as a student, a student of the self and of the world.
I am here for a learning experience, which is instilling values in me stretching far beyond what anyone could ensue from reading “media intern” on a piece of paper.
I am placing an expectation on myself to write “Sarvodaya volunteer,” nto i on the resume. If a future employer doesn’t inquire or respect it the same as it reading “media intern,” then it’s a boss I would rather not work for.
My time here has proved these words as equals.
Even though I was warned multiple times from various testimonies that volunteer work should not be approached with the attitude of being some great person who saves the world and I did not enter the situation with that mindset, I also did not expect to be totally responsible for demanding and somewhat creating my own work.
Before arriving, there was an exchange of emails of my interests, and after stepping foot in Sri Lanka, I was assured there was plenty of work for me to do.
So, as I traveled with the group, I was eager to see what assignments were waiting for me or what Sarvodaya had planned for me to do when I stayed for my internship.
To my sweet surprise, nothing had been framed for me, and it took a week of asking for work and eventually meeting face to face with the person I should have spoken with on the first day who promised to have to-do list ready after the weekend.
That week taught me to view myself from their perspective.
I was an outsider who came here on my own accord with my own reasons, so whatever those may be would be the ones I pursue. If I just wanted to use my days doing my own research, which was what I did my entire first week, then they would have happily let me do that for the following three. I was paying to be here, and I was on my time, so of course they would not force work upon me.
This was the initial test not only of my work ethic but my confidence to figure out where I could apply my skills.
I was learning a lot just from observing Sarvodaya workings and interacting with staff, but it was not fulfilling the work experience I had hoped for.
Volunteering or interning is a matter of seeking out and taking on what you want and handling in the way you want to. Quick lesson of what you put into an experience is what you will get out of it.
After a few days of anxiously asking for assignments from both the media and international offices, I was finally given an outline of work, which would easily fill my time here.
Those who show a willingness and desire to work are rewarded with responsibility.
The next shake up of my expectations of my Sarvodaya internship was learning to call it volunteer work.
Intern and volunteer are equal here.
When I first agreed to an extra month in Sri Lanka, I was only thinking of checking off the internship box on my resume. Yes, I knew I would be rewarded in experience, but I was preparing for some elevated internship position, something separate from volunteer.
Now, I see internship equally with volunteer worker. Essentially, that’s what it is.
Sarvodaya doesn’t know it, but it snapped me into a state of humility from the get go. I am just one of countless international volunteers who trickle through this NGO dedicating small chunks of their time here for whatever personal reasons they were inspired by.
As my time closes in my volunteer work, I am now sweetly humbled to contribute all of the work I can and reminded that I am here as a student, a student of the self and of the world.
I am here for a learning experience, which is instilling values in me stretching far beyond what anyone could ensue from reading “media intern” on a piece of paper.
I am placing an expectation on myself to write “Sarvodaya volunteer,” nto i on the resume. If a future employer doesn’t inquire or respect it the same as it reading “media intern,” then it’s a boss I would rather not work for.
My time here has proved these words as equals.
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