Hello, my name is Jeni Kanis and I am a Social Work and
theatre major interning in Chicago this semester. Now that I have been here
about a month, I would like to share with you about my experiences and what I
am learning.
Ever since I got here, I have been trying to figure out my
role. That seems like a natural struggle when one moves to a new place or finds
herself in a new situation. I have found that relationships, situations and
places seem to help define roles for me.
One of my major roles this semester is that of being an
intern at the Institute of Therapy through the Arts (ITA). This is an
organization that provides art, drama, music, and dance/movement therapy; I
enjoy being a part of the work because it connects social work and theatre. My
tasks range from administrative projects to aiding therapists in sessions;
through this variety of experiences I have begun to see and appreciate that
there are many aspects to this organization. One of my favorite things about this
internship site is that ITA works with so many populations, so I get to see
school age children one day and the next I see elderly clients.
Though, there is much to love about this role, it can be
difficult to see the obstacles and struggles of clients. Whether they struggle
with mobility, income level, behaviors, or something else, I empathize with the
struggles and hope that they can use some of the things that the creative arts
therapies might help them discover. Sometimes I have gotten to see these clients,
some of whom struggle the most, succeed which has been a joy that reminds me of
the hope and success that can come from a helping relationship.
I have been talking about roles, and finding my roles here
in Chicago. I have loved the process of finding my roles in the last month, but
sometimes I feel lost in the search. One of the things that has helped me
remember what a student like me might be doing in a city like Chicago has been
the scenery on my daily walk. When I walk along the lake shore, I find a never
ending horizon of water stretches on my right. It calls to mind the hope I have
for right relationships and renewal. On the other side, the city skyline looms
large, and I am reminded of daily existence, wrapped in concerns, joys, hardships, and celebrations
of the here and now. For a moment on my walks, I am in between, and I find
myself thinking maybe part of my role is to connect the two.
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