Interning with AS – Junior Intern

By Miriam Daniel

Hello! My name is Miriam Daniel and I am currently a senior at Westwood High School. I plan on majoring in Pre-Med at university next year and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Austin Smiles this fall. This organization is a truly unique community with an incredible mission and I feel honored to have been a small part of its wonderful work.

Throughout my time here, I have learned so much about the administrative side of medical missions, as well as all of the behind-the-scenes work that allows such non-profit organizations to be successful. I have loved getting to know and learn from the dedicated staff and the other interns at Austin Smiles. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me – something that I did not expect given that I am the newest and youngest in the office! One particular experience that I feel privileged to have had was preparing for and attending the annual Wish Upon a Smile Gala! I saw first-hand how many dedicated people, and how much hard work, goes into making this important fundraising event possible. From sorting and packing medical supplies for the upcoming mission trip, to organizing and preparing items for the auction, to training for our roles and responsibilities at the Gala, the interns were all invested and excited! 

Attending the 2022 Wish Upon a Smile Gala was wonderful. It was so rewarding to see how all of the hard work paid off and to remember the purpose of the whole evening. I had recruited my best friend to help with the event and together we greeted all of the attendees. Meeting and getting to know the people who were supporting Austin Smiles was a gift.

I made so many new relationships with people who shared a passion for the work and mission of the organization. Once the event began, I had the opportunity to help with the live auction, which is something I had never done before. It was important to ensure that all of the items were organized and accounted for and that check out ran smoothly for bidders. Again, I got to witness how hard Renee, Ellise, and the other interns worked together to make this year’s Gala so incredibly successful.

One day I hope to work in the healthcare field and serve through medical missions. I feel so blessed by my internship experience and how it has allowed me to see all that goes into making medical mission work possible. I am so grateful to Austin Smiles for allowing me the opportunity to learn and grow and serve. And I am so very thankful for the work of Austin Smiles, both here in Central Texas and in Latin America.

Miriam Daniel, Global Public Health Intern Fall 22

Westwood High School