Name: Shaili Lotia
Class Year: 2025
Major: International Studies
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Mullica Hill, NJ
Internship Organization: Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA)
Job Title: Restorative Justice Intern
Location: Chicago, IL
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA) is a non-profit organization aimed to help refugees have equal access to education. I am a restorative justice intern, and my work throughout the day is split into two parts. For the first half of the day, the other interns and I tutor the refugee children in reading and math using techniques such as High-Dosage Tutoring (HDT) and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE). The other half of the day, I work on assigned projects assigned by varying teams. One of these projects consists of fundraising coordination, where we view how much donors are giving to the organization and discuss other ways we can make the donor system more effective.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied to this internship because the organization’s objectives closely align with the work I intend to pursue post-grad. This internship will help me prepare to work in advocacy, where I’ll be able to work on policy reform regarding access to education. One of FORA’s main objectives is to “ensure that refugee families are provided access to an education sufficient to prepare them to become economically self-sufficient and robustly engaged in American civic life”. This internship allows me to ensure that the kids are given their human right to access education and literacy.
Was there anything special about how you found this internship?
I found this internship through a deep intensive search on Linkedin. I knew I wanted to intern at an organization that worked in advocacy. While searching for internships on both Handshake and Linkedin, this role stuck out to me due to its description of the tasks that one would complete while interning there. This organization also works with many individuals affected by the Rohingya Refugee Crisis, an issue of which I am constantly raising awareness. This was one of the last internships I applied to, and I am very grateful that I was given the opportunity to intern at an organization that closely aligns with my views and work within advocacy.
What is most rewarding about your internship?
The most rewarding thing about my internship is seeing the kids make progress in their assigned work. When working with kids who have limited English proficiency, it is always gratifying to see them improve their literacy skills. This would include them advancing in different reading levels, as well as improving their comprehension of a book. I also find it rewarding when I make connections with the kids to the point where they feel safe to be themselves with me. Even though I’ll always get made fun of for my pink blazer pants by the students, I will always cherish the interactions I’ve had with each of the kids and am eager to see the mark they make on the world.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.