Their Story is Our Story (TSOS) runs an 8 week internship program in the spring and fall of each year. Interns work with members of the TSOS executive committee. Our interns apply online and are selected and sorted into their prospective groups, where they are given different assignments that align with TSOS’s mission. At the end of the 8 weeks, we ask the interns to reflect on their experience at TSOS and what they gained. Here are some of their answers:
“As an intern, I worked on impactful projects, including mental health research, storytelling toolkits, and community engagement. Each day was a chance to listen, learn, and advocate for the voices of those who are often unheard. This experience didn’t just refine my skills, it reshaped how I see advocacy and what it means to be an advocate.” Kisembo Jackson, TSOS Intern 2024
“The little I knew about refugees often came from news sources and mass media which does not state the full truth about refugees. Through this internship at TSOS, not only am I a small part of their advocacy and education mission, but I was able to be a recipient of their initiative. With this internship program, you not only focus on your specific cohort’s assignments, but also have assignments for all of the interns. These assignments include reading articles about refugees, delving into how to conduct interviews, study passages from academic studies regarding refugees, and so much more. By studying and learning about refugees, I was able to grow an important respect and comprehension of what these people face.” Clara Olson, TSOS Intern 2024
“What stood out to me most was the emphasis on listening to stories. Through conducting interviews with other interns, I gained a deeper understanding of how important it is to hear people’s stories and to honor their experiences. I realized that advocacy isn’t just about addressing needs, but also about creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. This has been a transformative experience for me, as I’ve come to appreciate how critical empathy is in advocating for refugees and underserved populations.” Alice Mwamba, TSOS Intern 2024
“The process of translating interviews into polished narratives was both challenging and rewarding. It required me to not only understand the ethical implications of storytelling but also to think critically about how to present complex, multifaceted refugee experiences in a way that resonated with others. For me, this was more than just writing—it was about giving refugees a voice and helping their stories drive advocacy for the economic and social programs that support their integration.” McKenna Peterson, TSOS Intern 2024
“At TSOS, storytelling is not just a tool. It’s the heart of advocacy. I learned how stories could transcend statistics and headlines to humanize the struggles of displaced individuals and connect audiences on a deeply emotional level. Whether it was reviewing interviews, editing pieces for publication, or listening to firsthand accounts during events, I realized narratives inspire empathy and action.” Razia Rezae, TSOS Intern 2024
“I think when people talk about issues with refugees, when they are brought up in politics, or with social reform, there tends to be this stereotype of what a refugee is and what their experiences are, and it is assumed that everyone that is a refugee has the same set of experiences, when that is far from the truth. Each person has very different individual experience, and they all have unique, individual stories.” Morgan Wilson, TSOS Intern 2024
“There is a fine line between sharing a minority’s plight to elicit sympathy, empathy, and shared humanity vs using that same image of plight to dehumanize, disconnect, and label a minority as the “other”. I don’t always know where that line is. However, one of my key takeaways from this chapter is the unethicality of using others’ pain, suffering, and stories as a commodity.” Nicole Smith, TSOS Intern 2024
We love working with these energetic and committed interns, and as an organization are always grateful for their contribution to our mission here at TSOS.
Interested in becoming an intern at TSOS? Apply by September 24 for our Fall 2025 Internship:
Learn MoreIdaho One Refugee Conference
Last fall I was able to attend the 1Refugee Conference in Idaho. The event was well organized and everyone who approached our table was interested in what we did and wanted to know how to get involved. There were at least 100 students majoring in a variety of things who attended the event and we had 20 students give us their contact information. Most were interested in our internship programs.
Slam the Islamophobia
The Emerald Project is a Utah-based organization that carefully designs dialogues to engage with non-Muslims to make Salt Lake Valley a more welcoming home to Muslims. As many of our refugee friends belong to the Muslim faith, we applaud opportunities that foster understanding and were pleased to support The Emerald Project’s 3rd annual “Slam the Islamophobia” event on February 15th.
Presentation to University Deans Inspires Inclusion at Utah Valley University.
On January 25th, TSOS was invited to present to a group of approximately 50 faculty and administrative leaders at Utah Valley University (UVU). Specifically, they wanted to understand how forcibly displaced individuals might arrive at UVU, what types of burdens they might be carrying, and how the university could better support the unique needs of these students. UVU is the largest university in the state of Utah, and its leadership was anxious to discuss ways to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for UVU’s over 200 refugee students.