Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Monday through Friday

Hello!  Welcome to my first ever blog!  I am excited about my upcoming adventure and the ability to write about my experiences in a non-APA format :)

You may be wondering, what is your upcoming adventure, Cassie?  Well, valued blog reader, I am going to intern with Youth Advocate Programme Ireland (YAP) for ten weeks!  Let me explain how I have gotten this incredible opportunity.  I am currently a graduate student at Monmouth University working towards my Master's of Social Work, with a concentration on International and Community Development.  Graduate students on this track are able to intern overseas for 8 - 10 weeks of their final semester.  How cool is that?  I jumped at the chance to intern abroad and experience social work outside of the USA.

Since September I have been interning with Youth Advocate Program, Inc., on the international development team.  I have spent the past six months researching alternative therapies for at-risk youth (specifically yoga therapy), policies affecting at-risk youth, and developments across the world that affect youth.  I have loved my time spent with YAP here in the States, and am beyond excited to continue my learning in Ireland with YAP.

The name of my post comes from advice from a YAP worker I met in Harrisburg, PA, at the YAP Headquarters.  She told me to work hard Monday through Friday, and explore Ireland Saturday and Sunday.  I hope I don't disappoint her!