by Julia Bluhm

My communications internship at the CFV this semester not only helped me build my communications skills, but it helped me better understand my own sense of vocation and what kind of career I’m interested in.

Aside from gaining tons of experience in graphic design, social media marketing, and making continuous social media campaigns, I also learned a lot about interfaith cooperation. In preparing for the film discussion I hosted for The Heart of Nuba, I researched about conflicts in Sudan and had the opportunity to meet with Mastora Bakhiet, the director of the Darfur Women Network. It was eye-opening to hear more about life in Sudan from Mastora, a Sudanese Muslim woman, and to hear about all the struggles the Darfur people have been through. While we talked over pizza, I offered to help her with a video she was making. A week later, I was sitting in her living room and transcribing Arabic translations for the video. I know that if I hadn’t been an intern at the CFV, I probably would not have been so inspired to research conflicts in Sudan, and I probably never would have ended up in the living room of a woman who’s culture and background is so different from mine. I am extremely grateful that I did though, because this is just one example of how my internship helped me become a more open and educated person.  Interfaith and cross-cultural conversations can be slightly uncomfortable at first, but they are essential. I have put myself out of my comfort zone several times through my internship at the CFV, and every time I felt grateful afterwards for the experience. I want to keep doing this as a part of my future career in the non-profit sector.

Luckily, I have been given the opportunity to return in the fall as the CFV’s communications coordinator, so I will be able to stay involved. I look forward to continuing some of the social media campaigns I have started, such as featuring student leader profiles on Instagram and making our social media more photo-based. I also look forward to continuing to expand my interfaith understanding and to be as involved in CFV programs as I can.