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Volunteer to Share your Culture
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| Oxana Holtmann |
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 |  WBFN member Oxana Holtmann shares stories about her internship at the Meridian International Center.
After attending a World Bank Spouse/Partner Job Search Seminar, I received an email from Alexandra Ruttenberg, Global Mobility and Work Life Services Consultant. Alex said, “I just came across this! It requires a 20hrs/week commitment for a minimum of 6 weeks and they are advertising it more for a student, but I don't see why, if you are interested, you couldn't ask them about it!”
The position advertised was for an intern to serve in the Educational Outreach Programs at a local non-profit, Meridian International Center. I should confess - for me, the whole concept of internship was a mystery.
The job description read, “Meridian interns enjoy a broad educational experience and have a genuine impact on the work of the institution. While the Educational Outreach Office is small, its responsibilities are vast, presenting many learning opportunities through active collaboration with staff members.” My interest was peaked and I logged on to Meridian's website, to gather more information.
International Classroom
I found that one of the major activities of Meridian's Educational Outreach Programs is the International Classroom, a program that recruits and trains international students from area universities to make interactive classroom presentations in DC public schools. Putting aside my hesitation, I contacted Lisa Kaufman, Director of Meridian's Educational Outreach Programs and within days, scheduled an interview, met the staff, and got the job!
I soon discovered that internships are beneficial to more that just college students filling credit hours.
In just my first two weeks, my world perspective widened tremendously!
 I went to a public school, where one of the Cultural Consultants, an international student from Brazil gave a presentation to 6th graders about her country. To facilitate this kind of presentations in Washington public schools is the main activity of the Educational Outreach Programs.
I Checked Culture Boxes, where stamps, coins, matches, dolls and other special items from all over the world are collected - one box for a country or a region, so teachers can use in the classroom.
tried very sweet tea from Benin, learned how to put on Indian sari and Japanese bathrobe, wrote Chinese characters, discovered what a surprise it is for a Moroccan that Americans don't hug and kiss while greeting each other and even learned that there are more than 140 languages in Russia, my own country!
I was taught how to use Access Database and create country maps for public school children.
I participated in Peace Corps workshop “Words from Other Worlds”.
I had a welcoming party, enjoyed delicious meals in Meridian buffet (as an intern I got a substantial discount) and took part in heated discussions on various serious and funny issues at lunch tables.
Meridian Educational Outreach Programs
I write this to both encourage you to participate in local internship and volunteer opportunities, as well as to invite you to contribute to Meridian's Educational Outreach Programs. Here are some ways in which you can help:
Donate small items, which represent your country for Culture Boxes.
Send us digital pictures of different aspects of life in your home country with short explanations. We are creating “China-Japan-Korea” web site, pictures from these countries are very welcomed.
Volunteer for web site design.
Prepare and make a presentation about your home country in one of the Washington public schools.
Whatever you decide to do it will certainly have a genuine impact on the life of the community and you will get a joyful feeling of enriching young people with the knowledge and understanding of your culture.
| For more information about how you can help, please consult the Meridian website. Your time and energy will not only bring you joy, but will have a genuine impact on the life of the community. |
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