Hey MTDubberz! Today's Mover Monday features a testimonial from Victoria Bradford, a Spring 2013 intern in New York City. Victoria talks about her experience at Move This World and how it exceeded her expectations. Enjoy!
My first day as the Executive Intern for Move This World was great. When Sara first opened the door, I was stunned. Not only was she young, but also so welcoming. (I had recently heard some horror stories about my friends’ bosses, so I guess that’s why I was so terrified when I first arrived.) As I had my first conversation with her, I only just began to grasp how amazing Sara and MTW really were.
After my first day, I was hooked. The MTW staff’s energy is as indescribable as it is palpable. As the days turned into weeks, I began to feel like part of the MTW family. Between all of the stresses and chaos that came with every week, there was still time for fun, even if it was as small as a celebratory dance in the office.
The first site visit I went on was definitely eye opening and inspiring. Even though the class was tiny, I was still able to see the MTW curriculum in action. I was even able to participate alongside the 9th grade girls, which allowed me to understand how the curriculum worked. At the end of the session, when Greg, the PeaceMover, and the girls were discussing what had just transpired in the past hour, one of the girls commented that it felt really good to choreograph for others and have them listen to you. She also said she should probably listen to her mom more, so her mom could experience the same feeling. DING DING DING DING DING: Empathy in action. This comment, although small, was proof of MTW’s ability to teach empathy.
Although being the only intern in the NYC office was tough at times, it really paid off in the end. Not only was I able to get closer to Katherine and Anya, but I was also able to see firsthand their contributions to MTW and fully understand all that this organization stands for.
All in all, this experience was so much more than I was expecting. I find myself constantly talking about MTW and the need for more empathy in the world. I even wrote a paper on the lack of empathy being at the core of bullying and violence in America. This internship was an incredible learning experience, and I would not have traded it for the world. I can’t wait to see the organization grow even more and look forward to being part of the MTW family for years to come.