By Nikki Alvarenga
Legal Services Program Intern
Summer 2021

As I near the end of my internship at Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA), I just want to say thank you to everyone who taught me new skills and gave me advice and knowledge I didn't have before.

Before I started, I was very nervous and wanted to go in with an open mind because becoming an immigration attorney was and is my career goal. Furthermore, this was an opportunity for me to see what my day-to-day may look like one day. This would help determine if this was still the right career path for me, and I can say yes it is.

I have fallen in love with the work even more than before. There is such a need for immigration reform and help, and we need people who aren't in it for their own benefit but want to help those who don't have that voice and are actually affected by the immigration process. Not only is LIA a work environment I've enjoyed coming to, but it's been a safe space where I can come with questions in regards to anything at all. I have co-workers that I know will give me their best judgement, and I've enjoyed the challenges and collaborating with my fellow interns since multiple minds are better than one.

On my first day, I was already learning how to fill out government forms and answer phone calls. While I was scared of messing up, I knew I had support that wouldn't let me fail, but would help me get better and more comfortable to do it again. If I were to talk to someone who was even just a little bit interested in doing this internship, I would tell them to do it. You don't have to be an expert on immigration laws or know/be an immigrant; you just have to have a heart for others and an open mind to trying new things.

There was never a day where I knew beforehand what I'd be doing for the entire day, which is what kept it interesting. It's exciting to learn something new everyday and be able to work on your tasks by yourself and with others. I've enjoyed doing both this summer. I am definitely going to miss LIA and hope to come back soon. I know they'll continue to do great things helping others not only those in Michigan but those outside of the U.S. to be able to have opportunities they didn't have before.

I've learned a lot in the past 3 months, but the skill I learned best was not giving up the first time you don't get something and to keep trying even if you ask a lot of questions along the way. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend my summer learning so much about different immigration cases and procedures. I'm so grateful for the amazing team guiding all of that, and I hope for nothing but the best in the future.

Nikki Alvarenga
Wayne State University

This post is part of a series of reflections by LIA’s Legal Services interns who served throughout summer of 2021.

In a world of “fake news” and fear-mongering campaigns, Lighthouse’s community education services are needed more than ever. To that end, our efforts include opportunities for interns to join our work to learn and work alongside our legal team. Together, we work to empower organizations and businesses with the resources and knowledge they need to best help the immigrants who walk through their doors. We are committed to play our best part in educating the next generation of legal professionals.

We'd also like to ask for your help! Are you a student seeking an internship? Do you know someone who may be, or is connected to people seeking a career that serves immigrants, refugees, and our community? Please share this post with them, and invite them to learn more about LIA's internship opportunities: Internships.