Week 10: Final Thoughts
It’s a rainy day in Kathmandu, a fitting setting for the way I feel about completing my internship. My last day flew by as I finished my final assignments, taking time to steal a few glances out the window at the mountains looming behind me. I am really going to miss that little corner office.
It would be disingenuous to say this summer was easy. It was not. I have never spent more time alone in my entire life. Even when in the company of other people, the language barrier can make the fullest room feel isolating. Traveling as a single woman complicated things, as I learned there are certain misconceptions about American women here and a need to quickly learn how to cast the perfect icy glare in response to unwanted male attention. I lost count of how many times I explained to people that “yes, I am here alone,” and “no, I am not married.” I have eaten enough meals of dal bhat to know it will be a long time before I am ever hungry for any meal with rice as a main component. I got sick on multiple occasions, and there are no words to accurately express how excited I am for the simple pleasure of falling asleep without first applying bug spray.
So, no, this summer was not the easiest adjustment. There were plenty of days where I wanted nothing more than to be in the comfort of my own home in the States. Yet as I look back on the last ten weeks, all of those challenges seem miniscule in comparison to the ways this experience has changed me as a person.
I learned so much about how to conduct international legal research. As one of my final assignments, I sorted through some resources on international best practices surrounding repatriation of trafficked and smuggled workers. A couple of hours later, I sat down with Hamro Samman’s Chief of Party, Carolyn, and I felt at ease giving my opinion on whether a recent Nepalese repatriation case violated those practices. After ten weeks, I know enough of the terminology to research and speak about these cases with a lot more confidence.
Shortly after, I presented a technical briefing on the Foreign Employment Act (FEA) to the office, guiding a discussion with my co-workers on how to amend the FEA from a survivor-centered approach. I remember receiving an English copy of the FEA during my first week in Nepal and feeling clueless on how to better protect migrant workers from labor trafficking. Today, I skimmed through the FEA one last time before my presentation and realized how meaningful those words are to me; I know the potential that single piece of legislation has in offering hope to people who desperately need it. I could talk about it for hours.
Additionally, I saw the real impact this kind of project has. I met first responders on the India-Nepal border, the people trained to spot potential trafficking victims, and grappled with how to protect human rights within those interceptions. I walked through shelters and saw how badly these humble organizations need continued support. I sat in meetings with local government officials and heard their pleas for more guidance on how to address human trafficking in their communities. There was never a moment in this internship where I questioned the importance of this work.
Perhaps most importantly, I worked alongside a team of passionate advocates, who selflessly devote themselves to protecting others. The Hamro Samman team welcomed me in as family and taught me so much. They trusted me with meaningful work and eagerly sought my input. When there were difficulties in adjusting to life here, they helped me navigate those new experiences. I shared an office with some of the most gracious people, and their kindness is reflected in their work. At the heart of this little counter-trafficking in persons project is a mission to make the most marginalized people feel seen. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of that work.
Finally, I cannot express enough gratitude to the Scanelli family, whose incredible generosity made these past ten weeks possible. Boarding a plane to leave Kathmandu tomorrow will be emotional, but saying goodbye is easier knowing the impact this experience will continue to have on my professional and personal life ahead.