Hi, my name is Alicia Curtis and I am a Social Work major interning in Chicago. I am currently in my fourth week of living in the Windy City and would love to share a little bit of my journey with you.
My biggest fear before arriving in Chicago was that I would
feel claustrophobic from the combination of being around people while riding
public transportation, and the studio apartment that I share with a roommate. This
fear, however, has not come true and to this day I feel much more free and
invigorated in this city than I was expecting.
To begin, my internship is at a residential children’s
facility. The facility provides schooling, art and music therapy, yoga,
counseling and case management to their clients. As an intern, my role is to help
clients learn proper behavior and social skills for their age. During this time
I have learned appropriate client boundaries as well as how to have a
therapeutic relationship with clients. Observing and knowing when to intervene
in various situations is of great importance at this site. As I have been
learning the daily routines of the organization, the staff has been extremely
supportive and encouraging, which has put me at great ease.
When I’m not at the placement, I thoroughly enjoy the many
sites there are to see around Chicago. The number of free museums and
attractions is something to take advantage of! Last weekend, I went to the
Garfield Park Conservatory with a couple of friends. Walking in the midst of
such unique agriculture from the Blushing Bromeliad to the Cinnamon Prickly
Pear, our lungs were quickly filled with crisp oxygen. Only our brilliant
Creator could create the sheer variety of plants from the Fishtail Palm Tree to
the Red-Veined Prayer Plant. God has filled the Earth with such detailed
beauty, and walking around this beautiful and free conservatory was a wonderful
event for a Saturday afternoon.
Overall, these four weeks have caused me to grow in more
ways than I could have ever imagined. From navigating a new city, getting
acquainted at my internship and exploring various attractions, I have found
much joy in exploring the Windy City. This semester, although challenging at
points, has been like a wonderful breath of fresh air!
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