Week 10:
That’s a Wrap Austin

August 14, 2020

Wow, I cannot believe that it is the end of my summer in Austin already. It feels like just yesterday my mom was helping me move in. I can for sure say that this has been one of the weirdest summers I have ever experienced but also one of the most educational and memorable as well. 

I say this summer has been weird obviously because of COVID-19 and everything going on. I have to be honest, when I first moved in, I expected everything to be back to normal once I moved back to school, obviously life has decided to surprise us all. Not only has life surprised us but nature has surprised Iowa with a derecho, which is pretty much an inland hurricane. This past Monday, it left almost half of Iowa without electricity and an incredible amount of tree damage. Because of the derecho, school has been postponed two weeks which I am upset about but by the time classes start, I will have taken the LSAT! So the next two weeks I am planning on studying my heart out to get the best score possible. 

I say this summer has been one of the most memorable and educational because I learned so much about the process of immigration law and I also learned what it means to be working for a non-profit organization, not only a non-profit but also a pro-bono law firm. I am leaving Austin with so many new skills under my belt from how to file motions, how to file forms online and physically to have an organized office, how to communicate productively with a team virtually and in person, how to translate identity documents, and so many more new skills. 

I am so grateful for the experience I have been able to have this summer and so many people have made it possible. Thank you for Lizzie the director of Austin Region JFON who was my rock this summer and always checked in on me. Thank you to Becki, the attorney in our office who answered all my questions, even the silly ones, and taught me the ropes of immigration law. Lastly, thank you to Michelle who works endlessly to make sure we have flawless communication with clients and taught me how to use the software that was pertinent to my work this summer. Thank you to the Austin Region JFON for opening yourself up to me and showing me how empowering working women can get the job done this summer! Thank you so much to my family for always supporting me in all my endeavors and for being my #1 fans of my blog. Thank you to my Professor Alyssa Selmer who guided me through this summer, helped me connect my majors to the real world, and taught me valuable lessons about networking. Lastly, thank you to Mr. Mathews for your contributions to the Fellows Program which allowed me to have this invaluable experience. The whole Cornell community appreciates what you do and I cannot thank you enough for this experience. 

Well, that’s wrap Austin!