Self-Assessment

Two CBR principles that stood out most in my internship experience were Equitable Collaboration and Trusting Relationships. 

At Project Rousseau, the work was never completed in isolation. Everyone—interns, supervisors, and staff—shared responsibility and supported each other constantly. Whether it was offering to help someone with a tricky form or stepping in to explain a document process, there was always a sense of collaboration—that we were working with each other and not just beside each other.

That same spirit carried into my work with clients. So much of what we did was grounded in trust, and in building those relationships. From the very first meeting, I had to build a space where clients—many of them minors or new to the country—felt safe opening up about personal, and sometimes painful, experiences. Introducing and building that trust wasn’t automatic; it was something that was done slowly, through consistency, patience, and care. 

Being apart of Project Rousseau, I left the internship with a deeper understanding of how powerful collaboration and mutual respect can be in both community work and legal spaces.

What did you learn about yourself through this experience?

Helping others has always been important to me, both in my academic life and on a personal level—but this internship reminded me that that same drive shows up in professional spaces too. Through my work at Project Rousseau, I realized that no matter how legal or technical something may seem, I’m most motivated when I know that my work is directly supporting someone outside of myself. As I continue on a path toward law, I don’t want to lose sight of the people behind the paperwork. I want to be present with them in the moments that matter most.

I also learned how much I value connection. As someone who’s naturally outgoing, I found that this part of who I am helped me build trust with clients—even when we didn’t speak the same language. I realized that empathy and patience can go a long way, and that relationship-building doesn’t stop at a language barrier.

On a more practical level, I gained confidence in my ability to manage time, stay organized, and adapt quickly to new systems. Whether I was learning how to process forms, managing multiple client cases, or jumping into an unfamiliar software tool, I learned how to stay calm, focused, and committed to doing the work with attention to detail—even when deadlines were tight.

This experience showed me not just what kind of work I want to do beyond Princeton, but what kind of person that I want to be while doing it.

How has your experience at Princeton so far prepared you for this project?

My time at Princeton prepared to step into this internship feeling confident, excited, and eager to grow. As a Psychology major, Princeton courses have taught me how to efficiently read dense and complex material while picking up on small but important details—this skill helped me a lot when reviewing client case files and analyzing country condition reports under time-sensitive conditions.

As a Writing Fellow at the University Writing Center, my work has also shaped the way I write and think. Meeting with students across disciplines and education level, I was exposed to a range of writing styles—some of which mirrored the formality used within the affidavits and declarations that I wrote. This exposure taught me how to become a more precise and intentional writer, while being conscious of my errors.

Furthermore, my French coursework at Princeton, along with my summer abroad in France last year, equipped me with the confidence and language skills to speak confidently with French-speaking clients. It not only allowed me to write accurate english versions of their declarations, but it helped me to build stronger connections with the clients that I met with.

Being a community member at Princeton has taught me to be open to new experiences, to be outgoing in my community, and most importantly, to embrace asking for help—not viewing it as a weakness, but rather as a way to grow. It’s made me more confident in reaching out and trusting those around me.

Interning with Project Rousseau didn’t just build on the skills that I entered with—instead, it it sharpened it. It taught me how to apply those skills under pressure, how to navigate real-world systems, and how to work with empathy and intention at the same time. For that, I am most grateful.

How might you integrate your learning and skills from this internship into your future pursuits at Princeton and after graduation?

As I prepare to write both my junior and senior thesis, I know the time management and research skills I developed during this internship will carry over directly. This experience taught me how to organize complex information and manage deadlines while staying grounded in the quality of my work, and most importantly, the people behind the work—something I hope to carry with me through all of my academic writing.

Looking ahead, I plan to apply to law school and pursue a career in law after graduating from Princeton. This internship reminded me how important it is to enter new spaces with openness—to be present, to listen, and to stay focused on the process as much as the outcome. As I continue through law school and take on future legal internships, I want to bring that same mindset with me. 

I also plan to continue studying French, and this experience helped sharpen those skills in a real-world setting. One of the most lasting takeaways from Project Rousseau is the importance of looking out for others—staying dedicated to the people I work with, and holding onto the belief that care is as valuable as the work itself.