Team Spotlight: Meet our Summer 2023 Interns
As summer comes to an end, Project ANAR has asked our first class of summer interns to reflect on their experiences. This summer, we welcomed three interns: Sherine Ebadi, a PhD Candidate at UC Berkeley; Farzan Hussainzada, a junior at Cornell; and Rana Lemar Jalil, a junior at UC Berkeley. Below, learn more about them, their goals and what they learned this summer.
Please share something you learned this summer.
Sherine: “The U.S. immigration system is constantly evolving. What might be true today could be upended next week.”
Farzan: “I learned that the Immigration Court is not a real court.”
Rana: “One important lesson I learned during my immigration internship this summer is the critical role that effective communication plays in the immigration process. Whether it was interacting with clients, liaising with government agencies, or collaborating with colleagues, I discovered that clear and concise communication is essential at every stage.”
What surprised you about this work?
Sherine: “I was surprised at how people who might be considered refugees in the mainstream are not considered refugees under the U.S. immigration system. This means very few people who are seeking asylum are granted rights, from being able to reside in the U.S. legally to being denied access to vital resettlement resources.”
Farzan: “The interactions we had with our clients mattered a lot, and their trust in our work was phenomenal.”
Rana: “One of the most notable surprises was the level of complexity and nuance involved in immigration law and policy. While I had a basic understanding before starting the internship, I was amazed by the intricacies and the constant changes in immigration regulations and procedures.”
What was a highlight of your summer?
Sherine: “I felt like my work with ANAR tangibly benefited people who must navigate an extremely complex and opaque system in order to obtain safety in the U.S.”
Farzan: “Taking the ferry to work!”
Rana: “The highlight of summer was all of our clinics and meeting our awesome clients!”
What are your career goals and how has this internship informed your goals for the future?
Sherine: “I hope to remain in academia. The internship really affirmed that academia and on the ground organizations have a lot of potential to mutually benefit to one another. The internship motivated me to continue seeking ways that break down the walls of the 'ivory tower,' and use knowledge in a practical way to make positive changes in people's lives and in the world.”
Farzan: “I want to go to law school after college, and I am interested in practicing immigration law in the future. This internship helped me capture myself doing legal immigration work. I was able to gain hands-on experience in this field and connect with professionals who provided valuable insight and guidance for me to make informed decisions about my future career path.”
Rana: “My goals in both my education and career have always been closely aligned with my passion for law and advocacy. This internship was perfect mix of the two helping me get hands-on experience in the field of immigration law, and also allowing me to witness the impact of legal advocacy firsthand.”
Is there anything you would share with future interns?
Sherine: “Do it!!!”
Farzan: “With all the human interactions, it was above and beyond a simple legal internship for me. If you want to work with a team that truly values your input and engages with you every step of the way, then Project Anar is what you are looking for.”
Rana: “One piece of advice I want to share with other students who might be interested in this internship is that immigration law involves a multitude of forms, documents, and legal terminology, which can be overwhelming for clients who are often dealing with the complexities of a foreign legal system. I learned that as a legal professional, it's crucial to break down these complexities into understandable terms for clients, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their rights, responsibilities, and the progress of their cases.”
Project ANAR is an Afghan community immigration justice organization based in the Northern Virginia and Northern California. We are proud to create opportunities for impacted community members to lead and grow this work. Consider donating to allow us to continue to offer these kinds of opportunities to our communities. Summer interns receive a $3,000 stipend made possible by grants and donations.