Interning with Austin Smiles – Camp Amigo
by Eliza Eberhard
My time at AS has been nothing short of rewarding, eye-opening, and hard work. I truly never understood how much passion and dedication go into maintaining the success of non-profit organizations. Yes, it was great to learn the ropes of an office environment, or how to create and maintain a relationship with your coworkers, but my favorite part was seeing your hard work directly affect the children.
I was able to attend our Camp Amigo event this year and it was such a wholesome time. Seeing everything that Ellise, Renee, and we interns worked together to create come to life and bring those children so much joy was truly life-changing. I was amazed that conversations with some 16 years younger than me could alter my own perspective about my outlook on life. It is a volunteering opportunity that I plan to continue to attend each year if my schedule permits.
Overall, if you’re an incoming intern wondering if you should work with AS, do not hesitate. I’ve had such an amazing time, you learn a lot, and you know what you’re doing is genuinely improving the lives of others.
Eliza Eberhard
Austin Smiles Spring 2022 Global Public Health Intern