Positivity in a Mostly Bleak Summer: Why illuminAid Is So Important
Because I transferred to Emerson College (a small communicative arts school in the heart of Boston) after two years of local community college, it took some time getting used to such a drastic change after developing a steady rhythm during which I was living at home, going to school, and working. My first semester was good. I grew to love the city, but I was missing the massive social opportunities so synonymous with being away from home. It wasn’t easy making new friends in a school of less than 5,000 and joining my graduating class two years late. The following semester, however, this all changed.
I joined an organization through the school, and I found my group. All of a sudden, I had many friends, and this created limitless opportunities for fun. What’s more, the following summer (this summer) I was accepted into a study abroad program in Prague, where I would spend a month creating a short film. After this program, the plan was to meet the rest of my family in Germany, where we would then spend more time enjoying Europe.
This was all set to happen after working a job I had lined up right as I returned home for summer vacation. Everything was falling into place. Life was great, but then...as well all know, it wasn’t. We were sent home early and every plan was canceled. Because I wasn’t the only person whose life was slapped in the face, the blow was softened, but I couldn’t help feeling disappointed and wondering what could have been.
After the initial shock wore off and my classes were officially over after finishing completely online, I knew that despite everything, I needed to do something. Anything that would build up my resume. Being that my major is media arts production, finding something related in Chico, CA, of all places, seemed as likely as the pandemic being over by Easter. Nevertheless, I did my best, and with help from my neighbor (who also helped me find my first job three years ago), I was able to come in contact with Matt and Patrice York at Videomaker.
I went in for an interview and was offered an internship, which consisted of filming and editing videos for illuminAid; a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping educate impoverished communities through video. I couldn’t believe my luck! I had found something that not only was in my field, but was meaningful and important work. My internship at illuminAid has been a lone bright spot in a monotonous summer complete with the anxiety I was feeling for the future. It has been such a great experience to be around people in the office who are passionate and knowledgeable about video making, and who also genuinely care about bettering the lives of those who aren’t as lucky as ourselves.
I could not have asked for a better internship, as I not only have an amazing amount of creative freedom to write, film, and edit videos, but even more importantly, videos that educate and help people in need. A few of the videos we’ve made provide important information on fighting the coronavirus, such as mask-wearing, proper sanitation, and social distancing. Before the pandemic, illuminAid was directly helping people in third world countries, which is extremely impressive and inspiring.
For some time, I was down—aware that I was luckier than many, as my parents were still able to work from home, but still disappointed nonetheless that things didn’t go the way I had imagined. I am, therefore, very grateful for the opportunity I was given by the Yorks, and I have loved the time I’ve spent with illuminAid.
