Broadening Horizons

By Ming Hu, Graduate Assistant/Manager of the Burmese Project

It is my third month spent with the International Center. An amazing experience so far.

 I manage a Burmese refugee project with Ms. Long’s (VP of Strategic Initiatives) supervision and am given enough space to try my ideas.  For example, Ms. Long, knowing my interest in refugee issues and in research, encouraged me to start a survey research project to learn the need gap among Burmese refugees. With her assistance at the beginning of the project, I was able to connect with many people in the community. I visited service providers, community leaders, and researchers to ask for advice and collaboration. I met many interesting and respectable people and received support for my project. These interactions with the community also broadened my personal network. Before I joined the International Center,  most  of my friends were from the IUPUI community. Knowing many nonprofit professionals in Indianapolis would seem unimaginable for an international student like me one year ago. But now it is happening.

Also, from my job here I've learned a lot about communication skills in the American culture, which is quite different from that of China. For instance, I need to make an appointment at least one week before the meeting date I want, or I will not be received. But, when in China, I often call to make the appointment one or two days before the very date.  Moreover, I've gradually gotten used to communicating by email: phoning a call often comes after trust has been well developed.

What also impressed me very much is the intern training system at The International Center. Interns are taken seriously and are systematically trained in terms of communication skills, objective management and career development. Every week, a senior manager has a meeting with the interns and speaks about their role at IC and also career advice. Interns are also encouraged to attend various activities hosted/organized by the IC, like naturalization ceremonies, international delegation receptions, and so on. The program truly aids interns and graduate assistants to develop professionally, providing amazing opportunities to sharpen skills for future jobs.

Last but not least, I really like everyone here. People are very nice and helpful. I especially appreciate their patience when they listen to me. Trust me, it does take patience to listen to a Chinese student who just spent his first year in the United States!