My essential question is, how does a non-profit organization develop and implement a sustainable solution to global hunger and poverty? Over the past 6 weeks, my experience interning at The Hunger Project has allowed me to answer my essential question. During my internship, my main task was to organize, design, and format a two-part Google Form to help acclimate future interns and employees to the organization. In order to complete this assignment, I had to do a lot of research on how the organization has developed and launched its programs across the globe. Doing this research has given me a comprehensive understanding of The Hunger Project’s history and unique methodology. I think that my essential question was a good frame for my Senior Project because it provided structure and helped narrow my focus. All of my tasks and projects during my internship helped me examine and ultimately answer my essential question.

Since I tend to be more on the quieter side, one of my main goals for my Senior Project was to improve my public speaking and communication skills. Initially, I was quite nervous and shy during the first two weeks of my internship. During my first few meetings and webinars, I simply observed and took lots of notes. However, as the weeks progressed, I began feeling more and more confident in my abilities and I began participating more. My second assignment at my internship was to individually interview around 15 Hunger Project staff members and investors. At first, I was quite nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. The majority of people whom I was contacting were complete strangers and most of them were much older than me. However, after conducting the first few interviews, I could feel my communication skills improving and I began feeling much more confident and eloquent. During the last week of my internship, I had the opportunity to present my main internship takeaways in front of a group of 30 THP staff and directors. Preparing for this opportunity was a challenge, but after I spoke, I felt immensely proud of my accomplishments. I was also surprised by how confidently I had spoken. Another goal for my Senior Project was to become more aware of my privilege. Throughout my internship, I found that I was constantly reminded of my immense privilege. Reading and watching stories about communities and women and girls in particular that face chronic hunger every day was immensely eye-opening. Their stories reminded me that I not only have the privilege of being an American citizen who attends and private school in New York City, but I also was reminded of the privilege of having access to basic necessities such as food and clean running water.

I think that my number one takeaway from my Senior Project is that I feel like a global citizen. My internship has reminded me that people who are living in conditions of hunger and poverty have the power to change their own lives and communities. They are my brothers and sisters. They are not “helpless” or “needy.” All they need to end their hunger is partnership and empowerment. My experience has also influenced my planning in terms of my college studies and future career. Before my internship, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to study in college. However, after hearing stories about communities mobilizing and creating local solutions to hunger poverty and learning about the deeply interconnected causes behind chronic hunger, I am now curious to study topics such as sustainable development and global inequality. I have also become interested in perhaps working/interning at non-profits in the future.