Welcome to GENERATION SERVE!
  • About Us
    • Our Impact
    • Who We Are >
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
    • Where We Are
    • Our History >
      • Our Founding Story
    • Job Opportunities
    • Blog
    • COVID-19 Policy
  • Programs
    • All Ages: Family Volunteering
    • All Ages: President's Volunteer Service Award
    • Preschool (3-to-5): Little Helpers Learn & Play
    • Tween & Teen (8 to 17): Summer Programs >
      • Summer Camp: SERVE in the City
      • Teen Summer Options
    • Teen Programs >
      • Teen Service Days
      • Teen Advisory Board
  • Give
    • Amazon Wishlist
    • Donate
    • Become A Family Sponsor
    • Join Serve Society
    • Become a Business Sponsor >
      • Annual Business Sponsorships
  • Get Involved
    • Lead: Activity Lead
    • Engage: Join the Board & Committees >
      • Development & Marketing Committee
      • Governance & Nominations Committee
      • Finance Committee
      • Austin & Houston Site Committees
    • Partner: For Nonprofits
    • Support: More ways to help
  • CALENDAR
  • Celebrate SERVICE
    • Become a Table Host
    • Become an Event Sponsor
    • Purchase Tickets

Generation SERVE Blog

Hello. We are so happy to have you here! 

FROM SOUTH KOREA TO AUSTIN - GENERATION SERVE’S INTERN EXPERIENCE

7/30/2018

1 Comment

 

​By: Generation SERVE Intern, Effy Park

Hi, I’m Effy. I’ve been working as an intern for Generation SERVE’s Youth Leadership Program since January. I came from South Korea through the WEST program, a culture exchange program that gives Korean university students an opportunity to learn American culture, practice English and advance their careers through an internship.

I can’t believe my internship is almost over! I’ve spent the best time of my life working for Generation SERVE. I’ve committed to helping others with our amazing kids and teens at various nonprofits around Austin through the Service Learning Program and Youth Leadership Program.

At times, I went through tough days. It was hard for me to find the courage to interact with new people and deal with situations that wouldn’t have been a big deal in my country, but were more difficult for me to face here. When I led my first activity at Austin Regional Science Festival, I was so anxious about making mistakes that I called and texted Jennifer throughout the event. Back then, I struggled with the fear that others might see me as incompetent.

That changed when I saw a note Jennifer had written for me. The Generation SERVE staff has a compliment jar where we praise our co-workers for committing themselves to the organization’s core values, and Jennifer had written one about me for the “trust” value. I never told Jennifer about this before, but that card meant a lot to me and changed my thoughts. I realized that I’ve been trusted, supported and loved regardless of whether I was making mistakes or leading an activity. 

I don’t have to be a perfect speaker or a problem-solving hero. It wasn’t until I admitted this to myself that I could feel relaxed and comfortable. What I needed to do was appreciate and enjoy every moment with supportive people! Now I know that I deserve all the moments when kids made me smile or teens’ enthusiasm surprised me or co-workers motivated me. Those moments remind me of not only what I missed in the past, but also what I’d really love to do in the future. 

I’m not going to conclude my story with an ending about becoming a better version of myself. Instead, I’ll say I’ve learned how to face myself fully through Generation SERVE. None of this would’ve been possible without our team. Thank you to Jennifer and Barbara for always leading, nudging and embracing me!
Picture
Effy (center) with the Teen Advisory Board and Youth Leadership Program staff.
Picture
Effy (left) with Youth Leadership Program Manager Barbara Lundquist and Youth Leadership Program Director Jennifer Himstedt.
Picture
Effy interacts with a rescued kitten during a service activity at Austin Humane Society.
1 Comment
Allison
7/30/2018 12:20:59 pm

Yay! Thank you, Effy, for all that you have done for Generation SERVE! We will miss you!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Who We Are

Our Team
Board of Directors
Our Impact
​Our History
Our Founding Story

Job Opportunities

Programs

Family Volunteering
​FAQs

Support Us

Donate
Family Sponsorships
Business Sponsorships
​Nonprofit Partnerships
​Financials
​Donor FAQs

Contact Us

Address:
5555 North Lamar Boulevard
Suite C123
Austin, TX 78751

Phone:
​512.358.6943

Mailing Address:
PO Box 30575
Austin, TX 78755
© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About Us
    • Our Impact
    • Who We Are >
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
    • Where We Are
    • Our History >
      • Our Founding Story
    • Job Opportunities
    • Blog
    • COVID-19 Policy
  • Programs
    • All Ages: Family Volunteering
    • All Ages: President's Volunteer Service Award
    • Preschool (3-to-5): Little Helpers Learn & Play
    • Tween & Teen (8 to 17): Summer Programs >
      • Summer Camp: SERVE in the City
      • Teen Summer Options
    • Teen Programs >
      • Teen Service Days
      • Teen Advisory Board
  • Give
    • Amazon Wishlist
    • Donate
    • Become A Family Sponsor
    • Join Serve Society
    • Become a Business Sponsor >
      • Annual Business Sponsorships
  • Get Involved
    • Lead: Activity Lead
    • Engage: Join the Board & Committees >
      • Development & Marketing Committee
      • Governance & Nominations Committee
      • Finance Committee
      • Austin & Houston Site Committees
    • Partner: For Nonprofits
    • Support: More ways to help
  • CALENDAR
  • Celebrate SERVICE
    • Become a Table Host
    • Become an Event Sponsor
    • Purchase Tickets