NATIONAL JAPANESE-AMERICAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Ah-Youn Park

A junior from Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea who also attended Sendai University in Japan, Ah-Youn was majoring in both English and Japanese language and literature when she applied to the Washington Internship Program on December 3, 2005.  Ah-Youn had worked in the past as an English tutor for elementary and middle-school students, and she served as a host family for a KNU student from Japan after she herself lived with a family in Japan in 1999. Ah-Youn taught Korean when she was in Japan, and she also traveled to Malaysia and Singapore. On campus, Ah-Youn belonged to a Korean Traditional Instrument Club, and she studied at the KNU Language Institute. Just thirteen days after WIP accepted Ah-Youn, she was placed at the National Japanese-America Memorial Foundation, located on I Street, N.W., in a paid internship (with a salary of about $10 a hour) to start in February or March of 2006. Although Ah-Youn learned much as an office assistant at NJAMF, she experienced some personal and cultural difficulties that led to her being fired in June after a disagreement with a supervisors that let to his dismissal from work. Below are excerpts from Ah-Youn’s monthly reports on her first internship.     

               “One of my first jobs at the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation was translating the organization’s website into Japanese – a task I myself requested. In addition, I helped with packaging books and other materials related to soliciting donations for this nonprofit foundation. I had trouble talking in English with the office administrator in charge of my assignments, so he gave me many language lessons. Soon, my spoken English improved to the point where I was allowed to answer the phone. I also filed documents. On April 6 we had one of the biggest annual events: a gala dinner for which we worked hard on preparations for weeks. I was on the NJAMF Committee, and the booklet from this occasion includes my name. I researched aspects of Japanese-America history that were used at presentations delivered at the dinner, and when I saw my pictures on display, I felt proud. Five days later, we had a board meeting. Some of my work for these events felt mechanical and repetitive, like making copies and putting them in protectors. However, other days were more exciting – like when we went to the Memorial and greeted elementary-school students visiting from another city. I distributed pamphlets and took pictures, and we taught the children about World War II and the unfortunate internment of Japanese-Americans in camps within the United States.”

             Ah-Youn complained about the office administrator’s conduct, which she considered rude, and the man was asked to leave his position in May. Ah-Youn continued working for other departments using the Excel program on computers. However, she was not given much work once her supervisor left the organization and she continued working in a different building than most of the staff. Ah-Youn refused assistance with this matter from the director of the Washington Internship Program. In retrospect, she missed the fine teacher whose departure she had caused. Ah-Youn worked hard on a few more translations from English into Japanese. “I was so happy with my work and felt good to be alive,” explained Ah-Youn. “However, June 30th was my last day at NJAMF. I was sad, but I thought this ending might be a good sign. One of my favorite co-workers said to me: ‘When things seem awful, remember that in the worst of fortune can be found the best chances for a happy change.’ I felt frustrated and knew I was in deep trouble, but maybe I would get another fantastic internship I never expected. I have good memories of my first job. I learned so many things I had never seen, heard, felt, or thought. I definitely know that such an experience is more valuable than any amount of money, which is why it's much more precious than something visible. I love my co-workers, but I knew the time had come to say good-bye. When I was told to quip by my supervisor, I didn't feel good, but soon I was strong enough to make another try.” Ah-Youn was told that she lost her internship due to inadequate work and leaving the office for long periods of time during the day without being excused as well as taking food and other objects that did not belong to her. After visiting relatives in New York, Ah-Youn had the courage to try again, and she needed to earn money to afford life on America. Apparently, she learned some valuable lessons from her mistakes.

E.L. HAYNES PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL

On July 26, less than a month after Ah-Youn lost her job at the National Japanese-American Memorial Foundation, the Washington Internship Program found her a second paid internship – this one at the E.L. Haynes Public Charter School on 14th Street, N.W. This elementary school opened three years ago and now contains 160 children ranging from pre-school to the forth grade. Each year, a new class is added. Ah-Youn became a full-time teacher’s assistant working with four-year-old youngsters and also teaching all grades about life in Korea and Japan. Ah-Youn worked at this position from late July until November 21 when once again she lost her job, which Ah-Youn attributed to scheduling problems. Below are poignant excerpts from Ah-Youn’s monthly journal.

             “After training to work as a teacher in the Extended-Day Program at E. L. Haynes Public Charter School, I began my second internship where I have been so happy. I always dreamed of becoming an English teacher at a language institute after graduation from college, and I pictured myself at a school with lovely kids. This educational position will be more helpful than the first internship in terms of my future career. I spend my time at pre-kindergarten in the morning and within the kindergarten during the afternoon. I observe the children at all times and help them keep up with the teacher. Sometimes I dance with the youngsters, and I watch animated movies with them, read them books, teach them how to write the letters of the alphabet, and help them draw with colored pencils. Compared to NJAMF, E. L. Haynes Public Charter School is awesome for me. I have time to talk with the children, and many regular teachers and staff members try to help me whenever I need assistance. I 'm satisfied with the atmosphere at the school, and I concentrate on doing my best. This internship is fantastic. I go to both the first and forth grade classrooms where I help the pupils with math. I also take part in the Kite Club on Wednesdays with the main teacher, and I help the students there. Sometimes I work at before care, which takes place in the morning prior to the start of regular classes. I also work as a teaching assistant during Spanish class at Pre-K and Kindergarten. I always come on time, and I appreciate this great, rare chance. I was so glad to be considered a reliable employee. Since I couldn’t do my best at NJAMF the way I had expected, here I had a second chance to do my work with all my heart. I think of myself as so lucky. Most interns can't get paid internships easily, and I had two. I watch movies three to four times a week with the kids. It is the perfect job for me. I have happy days with the children!

In September Ah-Youn wrote: “I' m getting settled these days. I moved to Bethesda near the metro station so I can get to my internship more easily. I used to spend four hours round-trip commuting by bus to work, so I was exhausted all the time. I try to be as diligent as I can. I was offered a part-time job working at the kindergarten for two hours per day. I help with decorating the classrooms, and I go to the park with the kids for recess that lasts an hour. I take the youngsters to the restrooms and make sure they don’t play there as a way to skip class. I help them with coloring, reading books, drawing, and writing. I have so many chances to practice English with the children, so my language skills continue to improve. I think it's marvelous how well I deal with these children as time goes by. We have an intercession program next month. I'm going to find helpful materials for the kids to use during after-care.” After the internship, Ah-Youn visited relatives in New Jersey and then traveled elsewhere in the United States for a month.                  

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