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A Rewarding Internship

GVSU senior spends summer doing social work in Israel.

Sammi Fine

"Best in the Midwest."

—The Princeton Review

jewish@edu writer

was asked to describe
something indescribable,
an experience of a life-
time. I was fortunate to have
spent my summer in Israel, liv-
ing in Tel Aviv and working for
an inspiring nonprofit organi-
zation, the Jaffa Institute.
Working for 10 weeks,
Sunday through Thursday, I
began to collaborate with the
Jaffa Institute's mission of
curing the intergenerational
poverty found in Israel's most
impoverished areas of Jaffa,
South Tel Aviv and Bat Yam.
As I am about to complete
my undergraduate degree in
social work and criminal justice
at Grand Valley State University
this fall, I have received
priceless experience that will
undoubtedly assist me through-
out the rest of my career as
well as my personal life.
For those unfamiliar with the
field of social work, it is often
split into two main practice
Sammi Fine supporting Israel
categories called "micro" and
at GVSU
macro." Before Israel, I had
been more familiar and com-
inhabitants do not sleep. There is always
fortable with the micro, involv-
something to do, see and experience.
ing working hands-on with a person or
I also traveled north, visiting Afula,
small group of people to reach a certain
Tzfat, Karmiel, the Galilee and the Golan,
goal. However, after working with the
while also making a point to visit the
Jaffa Institute, I have become much more
holy city of Jerusalem. I attempted to visit
comfortable and confident in my skills on
as many places as I could, and make the
the macro level.
most of my 10-week stay.
By writing grant proposals, heading
As my summer came to an end, I
the social media department, fundraising,
began to realize not only how attached I
presenting to visiting volunteer groups
had become to this country, but also the
as well as traveling to our many different
important skills I have learned throughout
programming locations, I was given the
my stay that I want to bring back with me
sense of the big picture and why orga-
to the United States and to school.
nizations such as the Jaffa Institute and
This fall, I will begin my position as the
this macro practice are vital to making a
community service chair of Hillel at GVSU,
difference, even changing the world.
a position I am now even more excited
Notice how I describe myself work-
about doing after being in Israel. After
ing "with" the Jaffa Institute, and not
an entire summer on another continent,
"for" the Jaffa Institute. In Israel, intern-
immersing myself in another culture, all
ing is much different than in the United
while doing community service work, I
States. Never once was I asked to "get
believe I have an even bigger skill set to
the boss coffee" or "to go make copies."
offer our Hillel and the community.
Senseless, mindless work regularly given
This summer of a lifetime is one I will
to interns in the United States is gener-
never forget. I intend on taking every
ally unheard of here.
experience I had and everything I learned
I was treated as a co-worker, as if my
and using it toward my future. To Grand
work and contributions to the organiza-
Valley State's Hillel, you best prepare
tion were of use and necessity; I was
yourselves for some stellar community
made to feel important.
service initiatives; and to Israel, look out,
Besides my incredible internship, I was
because you will be seeing me again very
able to reside in the center of Israel's
soon. @
most ambitious, creative and young
city — Tel Aviv. A city where at 4 a.m.
you would swear it was only eleven at
Sammi Fine of West Bloomfield is a
night; the streets are full, and bars are
senior at Grand Valley State University in
only beginning to close. This city and its
Allendale.

I

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August 22 • 2013

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