Interning is more than coffee and printing

by Odelia Dahl

I spent the past three and a half months as a communications intern in the Church and Community Engagement Department. In these months I have grown in so many ways thanks to the opportunities of learning and practice this internship has provided.  

Stepping into the World Relief building for that first time, my stomach was turning, and my nerves were high – I had no idea what to expect. An interview is always daunting, and I had never been an intern before. In movies interns grab the coffee and print off papers… was that what interning meant? 

This internship provided me with the opportunity to put into practice the skills I have been learning in my classes at Whitworth University. In this role I got to work on many different aspects of communications work such as campaigning, social media, interviewing, writing, content gathering and relationship building. I realized quickly that interning is more than coffee and printing. In fact, I never once made a coffee run. 

This experience has been impactful in so many ways both for my professional and personal growth. One moment that especially stands out was an interview I conducted with a mother and daughter from Ukraine. I wasn’t sure how it would go because they speak minimal English, but with the help of our translator, Oksana, I was able to hear their story and share it with a wider audience.  

They were so outwardly grateful for World Relief and the role this organization has played in their lives as they resettled in this new country. The resilience, patience, joy and gratitude weaved throughout their story is beautiful and inspiring.  

This interview was impactful because I got to know a stranger who speaks a different language and grew up in a different country and culture. 

There are many obstacles that can be run into when it comes to communications work as you depend on others and coordinate between many people on multiple platforms. It is even more challenging when having to navigate language and cultural barriers as well. Interning with World Relief has taught me flexibility, adaptation, and the importance of clarity. I feel well prepared as I move closer to graduating in the spring and step into a more professional career setting.   

World Relief is full of caring, passionate and inspiring people. I am incredibly grateful that I got to be a part of this organization as an intern, and I look forward to watching as they continue to bless Spokane and the lives of those seeking refuge.  

About the Author

Odelia Dahl is an intern at World Relief. She was born in a very small town on the border of Canada and owns a flat haired retriever named Arlo. Her passions include skiiing. Currently she is attending Whitworth University for marketing.